{Review} Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Wild Cards
Series: Wild Cards #1
Author: Simone Elkeles
Release Date: September 24, 2013
by, Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?{Goodreads}

~Review:
 Holy flipping cow!!!! I can't believe I even got this book! Simone Elkeles is a really well known author thanks to her Perfect Chemistry series. So when I found I had this book in my possession post release I about freaked!! I did a happy jog and everything.

  Now, that being said I still haven't read the Perfect Chemistry series yet but it's another one I have been dying to read! I will get to it soon enough I promise! Now to talk about Wild Cards. I really liked it. It was cute and it was funny! Derek is an absolute dream boat and Ashton is snarky and independent. The banter between these two was delightful. I enjoyed the multiple POVs. It's always nice to know what is going on through each characters head as they start to fall. Ashton was probably the most stubborn about it. I loved it. ;) Ashton is the star kicker...on the boys varsity football team. How great is that!? The last book--and only other book--that I read with a girl on a boys football team was Catching Jordan. I liked that one but I think I liked this one more....sorry Miranda Kennealy! Even though they were similar I liked Elkeles version better because of the family she put together. The boys on the team looked out for Ashton but they also respected her. I also liked how the verbal language was considerably higher in decency. There weren't as many cuss words as there were in Catching Jordan. I don't mind it often because hello! We are teens and this day in age swearing is about as normal as breathing. But there is respect in words. Elkeles gives that respect. Ashton is beyond independent and even more stubborn. She has the will of--of I don't know (running short in comparisons) but she has a lot of will and determination. She doesn't like things being handed to her. She likes to work for her earnings. I love that about her. She has her quirky habits. She plays to win and she wins because she plays....hard.

  Derek is a bad boy. Whoopdey Doo! Isn't it always a bad boy!? Yes. Am I complaining? No. ;) Derek is more of a punk than a bad boy. He is witty and charming and likes to grease pigs and set them loose during graduation ceremonies. Haha ok so he is trouble with a capital T but he is harmless. He isn't the roofing bad boy. He is the prancing bad boy. Ultimately he has a great heart. He fixes up sheds and mows lawn with no ulterior motive. The boy just has a serious mouth and prank problem.

  Put the two together and you got one heck of a couple. Goodness these two were making me laugh! They are both incredibly stubborn. It was like watching those goats with the horns ram each other over and over again. Haha lets just say when the first time a couple meets ends with a pitch fork in a shoe...it's bound to be interesting. It was. I read this book pretty fast. The stuff that both Ashton and Derek had Togo through had my full attention. This isn't a light read. It had more depth. Both characters had struggles they had to deal with. This wasn't a heavy read either. It was a light heavy? I don't know don't ask.

  Simone Elkeles righting is nice. It flows easily. Each words slides into the next and before you know it you have read half the book. She has a nice sense of humor being able to commit to the snarky replies Derek and Ashton throw at each other. Ultimately Derek and Ashton were adorable especially at the end. Oh my goodness that end was adorable!! I can't wait to read the next one! There was only one thing that bothered me about the book. There was some round about incest. It wasn't true incest but it was enough to make me not jump on the TeamDerekandAshton boat. Derek's stepmom is Ashton's sister. So basically Ashton is Derek's aunt-in-law. No blood ties but I don't know I like to stay away from that stuff. Ya just weird to me. There are so many different ways you could come about a couple meeting and I prefer to stay away from instances like this. Eventually I kind of just ignored that little fact as best as I could and enjoyed the story for what it was.

  Wild Cards was an enjoyable read. I loved Simone Elkeles writing style and the story she created. The characters were well developed and the love was adorable. I can't say it was a favorite but it was well worth the read! I would recommend it to all contemporary fans! Like I said before, I haven't read anything else's from Simone Elkeles so I can't compare it to her Perfect Chemistry series. Bottom line: Wild Cards was good..great even! It was fun, funny, and really cute. I really liked it! Give it a try when you got the chance. Borrow it, buy it. However you see fit but I do think it is worth the shot. :)

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!

*a copy was provided for review purposes*

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{Review} The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

The Lost Prince
Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1
Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: October 23, 2012
by, Harlequin Teen
Source: bought
Pages: 377

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them. 

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  I wasn't so sure I was gonna love this book like I loved The Iron Fey-Ash, Megan, and Pucks story. Truth is? I didn't. I couldn't. It may be the same world but it is not the same series and once I accepted that I was blown away. I never once doubted Julie and her talents. I doubted my ability to let go of the characters I had grown so find of. I didn't think I could see the world of the far without thinking of Megan and Ash and Puck. It took me some time to get over but it didn't take that long.

  Julie has this uncanny ability to draw you and and submerse you in the pages. It's pretty freaking ridiculous because I always feel so vulnerable and out of control while reading her books. I think I've said this before but Julie Kagawa has your heart and emotions in her hand while you read her books. You're like putty that she just molds and breaks. She throws you into these worlds and holds you down in them. You no longer have control over yourself. She brings these characters in that steal you from the beginning. She's got her claws deep in your heart as after words...it all lingers. Footprints of each story--each character, are imprinted there forever.

  I was so surprised with Ethan. I was like "Uhmm...who is this and where did Ethan go?" I was a bit sad that this is where Ethan came. Te world of the Fae haunts him. He now has a bad boy rep. While I was kind of sad I couldn't complain...Ethan is well, hot. I feel kind if weird saying it because the last time I had seen him he was only a little boy but well...he is no little boy anymore! Even though Ethan gives us this bad boy act, he is still the sweet boy he always was just minus the stuffed animal. He seems standoffish because he doesn't want to get close to anyone. Being close means bringing them right down with him into the Fae world.

  Keirran was funny and a total free spirit. I loved him. In many ways Ethan and Keirran were the new Ash and Puck. Ethan was brooding like Ash and Keirran was the lively Puck. It was nice having the banter from these two. It was like Ash and Puck before the enemies. They weren't Ash and Puck but there were similarities. Again, it was super hard not seeing my beloved characters again but I enjoyed Keirran and Ethan's story.

  You do get a special visit from the young adult worlds best fictional boys and that made me extremely happy! We even get a visit from grim, razor, and Megan. I love Julie's story telling. It's amazing! And now she is taking the Iron Fey series to a whole other level! Some serious shit is gonna go down. It's bigger than the iron fey. We get a call from the forgotten. Dang these thugs are creepy! I'm so excited that she decided to make a spin off on my favorite series. It's action packed, heart warming and thrilling! The new characters that enter the story are great and like able. Everything was done well. Julie Kagawa never disappoints. No. She always ends up exceeding our expectations. She is what authors hope to be!

  If you haven't read the Iron Fey series (The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, The Iron Queen, The Iron Knight) I suggest you read it first. You don't HAVE to but one, it's flipping amazing and my uptime favorite series and two, you might understand the fey world a bit better and Ethan. You get to see the Ethan before it all. The sweet little innocent boy who started it all. These books are one of the best books I have ever read. Julie is my favorite author because she brings all cards to the table. She is so talented. Her books are cinematic! Basically, all her books will be the best books you have ever read. Each one will capture you. Read each one! You will not be disappointed. If you were to ask me what to read Julie's books will always be my first suggestion. There is a reason and that reason is greatness.

~Rating:

Need-In-Order-To-Breathe (5 stars times a million) 

{Review} Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Boundless
Series: Unearthly #3
Author: Cynthia Hand
Release Date: January 22, 2013
by, HarperTeen
Source: Bought
Pages: 438

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.{Goodreads}

~Trailer:

 ~Review:
  So even though there has even a significant amount of amazing 2013 debuts...there have also been some let downs. Especially in the finishing department. Finishing department?

  The final books to series. Is this one of them? In some ways yes, sadly. The Unearlthy series was one of my first loves. Tucker one of my first boy loves and Cynthia Hand being one of my first Author loves. It was seriously amazing!!! The writing of Cynthia was so fresh and lovely it was hard not to fall in love with the books!

  Now I can't complain too much. The book was full of action, turns, pieces being out together, love!! It was all fantastic! I was so into the book I had trouble putting it down! I forgot the talent of Cynthia. Her ability to just draw you in with the easy flow of her writing. So if it was so great....why is it a disappointment in some ways?

  It left me disappointed for one reason and one reason alone. The absence of Tucker and the abundance of Christians presence. I started to fall out of love with Tucker and in love with Christian. I was routing for Tucker the entire time while reading it. In my mind set I was going to throw a hissy fit if Clara didn't end up with Tucker.

BEWARE OF SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  I hated the way she ended the book. I found the way she got Tucker with Clare was childish. I almost would have been ok with him dying and Clara ending up with Christian after her heartbreak. My emotions weren't hit as hard as they probably should have. When he died and she saw him in his death before walking into the light I did. I was heart broken. But the after felt as if she needed a reason to keep Tucker alive so she did the first thing she thought of. Wth!!? Tucker is now part angel? That I felt was stupid. And not to mention she left a lot of loose ends. She kind of gave a well this and this so because of that they got a happily ever after. What about Jeremy? Angela!?Christian? I mean poor dude. It wasn't the way I saw it all ending.

END OF SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Like Requiem by Lauren Oliver I was left disappointed because of the cliche endings and the lack of tying the last ribbon. I felt as if it was incomplete. Everything up to the ending was absolutely amazing! It was everything I hoped it to be! That was the stuff I know Cynthia is capable of. The stuff I love her for. I wasn't completely disappointed but I was never the less. It is still a series I hold dearly to me but...I don't know. The ending was just off. I mean I was happy about it but not as happy as I thought I'd be. It's just this jumble of feelings I have. In the end the good out weighed the bad I think.

  If you haven't read this series yet I insist you do. It's beautiful and wonderful. Don't let me get in the way of you starting it. I encourage you to. Even though I had a slight disappointment it didn't completely ruin the series for me. This last book to the Unearthly series is alike with Requiem, the last of the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver. Both series that I love dearly and both with endings that left me feeling it didn't end. Try it out! You may feel completely different than I did with the ending. Again the ending was my only disappointment everything was wonderful! I can't wait to get something new from Cynthia Hand. She is an incredible author!

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day,

~Jaiden

{Review} Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Requiem
Series: Delirium #3
Author: Lauren Oliver
Release Date: March 5, 2013
by, Harper Collin's Childrens Books
Source: bought
Pages: 391

They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  Sigh...I don't know where to begin. I guess I will start with my thoughts. That's always a good start right? I mean that is what makes up reviews...

My first thought's when starting Delirium was "Love as a disease? Really? That sounds kind of really stupid. How far can you even go with that?"

My thoughts after Delirium: "Holy flipping crap! Why the heck had I ever doubted? This is one of the best books I have ever read!!"

My thoughts after Pandemonium: "What the flipping hell!! How could Lauren Oliver do this to us!? Do I seriously have to wait a whole year to read the finale?"

My thoughts before Requiem: "It's here! It's here! It is finally here! This book is going to be the death of me! I love Julian and I hope he gets a nice little girl for himself but Alex, Alex deserves the world. It will always be Alex at the top and he better be with her at the end. Holy crap I'm opening the book! Oh my gosh! Look there is the first word!"

My thoughts on Requiem:

  Alex is in my top five favorite guys! He is sharing the second place with Puck from The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa. Now, I had my dad read this series because he is the only other person in my family who loves books as much as I. I recommend books to him and he reads the ones I most highly recommend. I got him started and currently he is on book two. My point? He asked me why I liked Alex as much as I do. My answer: I don't know. I mean really he isn't as great as some. He is missing for all (or most?? sorry no spoilers) of the second book. His appearance in the third sucks because of circumstances. I guess maybe because he was one of my first book loves. Because in Delirium he was so high on life and freedom it was contagious. He had eyes that shone, a smile that gleamed and a laugh that could brighten a room. He was kind and loving and adventurous. He loved Lena unconditionally. He showed her things she never could have known without him. He was life. He was energy. He was love.

  Lena was different from protagonists. She grew. She was weak and vulnerable and innocent and ignorant. Seeing her grow throughout each book was amazing. I loved how she was scared and weak but she turned out to be courageous because of her fear and strong because she was weak. She had to work. She had to grow. It never came easy to her. She was shown different paths. She struggled. She knew love because of Alex. I liked following her throughout the series. In this final book she was the strongest she could be. I hated that she had to share a spotlight with Hana. I liked her POVs but I would have liked more of Lena.

  There wasn't a lot of action in the book but there wasn't much during the whole series. There are bits and pieces but its more of a love story wrapped up in a pretty little dystopia bow. It didn't need action to thrill me. There was enough tension and drama coming elsewhere.

  I had high hopes for this book. It is after all one of my ultimate favorite books. In some ways it succeeded and in others it failed. I wasn't all that happy with the ending. I was disappointed. I mean I can't complain too much because in the end I was well let's just say I was happy with specific choices. I hated it took so long for Alex to open up. I hated seeing Alex the way he was portrayed in this book. It was like someone constantly punching me in the gut. Happy, high on life, loving Alex was gone leaving a mirror image in its place. One that, like a mirror, could only mimic. It wasn't real and it wasn't true. I hated a certain girl throughout the whole book. Coral. Ugh. I hated seeing the light being dim in his eyes. No smile touching his lips but to be snide and hurtful. No words sweet and loving but vicious and cruel instead. It was torture. But when he finally opened up and let his wall down it was all over. The book was at its end and it...sucked.
There was so many loose threads.

SPOILER~
* highlight the paragraph to see spoiler!*

What happened to Hana? Julian? Did they get happy endings? I mean poor Julian he deserved better than that. I am happy Alex got the girl but Julian was way to sweet of a guy to just be left. I mean I seriously thought that was messed up.

~END SPOILER

  Then there were certain deaths that were stupid. Secrets that died with the person for no one to know. The death, I feel, unjustified. It was terrible! I felt like Lauren just kind of sent everyone over the the bridge and into the water waiting to be rescued...just...floating...This big huge ending was....ended. Too fast. Too quick. Not enough answers to leave me satisfied. There was no peace. It kind of just...ended. It was good but it wasn't great. The loose ends is what turned me off the most. Then the two lovers (not saying who) didn't get a great happy ending. No big kiss. No big ending.The finale to the fireworks show was worse than the opening. It was done backwards.

  And then the mother wasn't in it like....at all. After the big cliff hanger of Pandemonium she should have been a bigger part of Requiem I thought. I think Lauren Oliver was building up to the ending so much she forgot she actually forgot it needed to end. I don't know. I don't know if she left it like that to start a spinoff. An "after its all over" beginning. The world after the rebellion. Who knows. I have a hard time believing a woman with as much talent as Lauren Oliver would end a book like that. I thought for sure I would have a settling piece after finishing it. I big breath after the storm. A feeling of contentment. I don't even to this day and I read it almost a month ago. There is just things that unnerve me. I can't fully explain it.

My thoughts after Requiem (after my befuddlement and rage: "I can't believe it's over. I will miss them all."

My thoughts on the series: "Even though it didn't end quite like I wanted it is still one of my favorite series. I will always love Alex. I will always love Alex and Lena. I will always love Julian. These characters and this story will always be in my heart and mind."

  My thoughts to you: Read this series. Don't listen to me or others about how it ended. Read the first two books because it was worth it. those two books are outstanding. They are amazing in every way. Lauren Oliver's writing is beautiful and lyrical. The first two things that come to mind when I think of her writing is birds and water....and music. Birds because they are free. They have this peace about them when you see them in flight. They are beautiful. Water because it flows. It flows so easily. It doesn't need a constant hand pushing it along it rides its own drift. It goes where it wants and where it ends up is perfect. It quenches us. It fills us. It is essential in life. Music because it is both...free and fluid. Its peace to those who seek it. It is an extension of some. It can tell a story more than other things. It lets us into different versions of people ad ourselves. Call me corny but it's all true. This series is a story of love, loss, self finding and trust. Lies, betrayal, heart-break and redemption. The third one is great. the story is awesome its just the ending that turns people off. And its really not that bad. Its worth it. Trust me.

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day,

~Jaiden 

{Review} The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

The Eternity Cure
Series: The Blood of Eden #2
Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: April 30, 2013
by, Harlequin Teen
Source: bought
Pages: 434

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.{Goodreads}

~Trailer:

asdfghjkl!!!!!!!!!!! <3 ;D

~Review:
  Holy Shit...Just...just wow. I understand shit can't be holy but this shit is holy. Hahaha jkjk!! I can't even associated shit and any piece of Julie Kagawa's work in the same sentence. Its offending. Let's start over shall we?                                                     *Rewinds*

  Wow! Has Julie done it again or no? No, she has exceeded! If you knew me well and someone asked who my favorite author was it'd be so easy to answer. Answer: Julie Kagawa. Hands down. No competition. She has the remarkable way with words. She has one of those gifts that are so natural. Some people are good authors. Some are great. Some are so good that you know that's what they live and breathe. The talent just oozes out of them *rewinds* (I hate the word oozes). The talent just flows so easily. Its effortless. For them to do anything else would be absurd. I mean she is very talented in other things as well but what I am trying to say is that there are some people who are born to do a certain thing. Julie was born to write, to steal our breaths and hearts with every word she puts to paper, every character she creates, every plot, every story.

  She is extremely talented. Her writing is flawless. The ability she has to capture readers attention from the very first page is incredible. It's what miracles are made of ;D Too cheesy? Too bad. ;P I seriously have trouble with each review I do of one of her books. It's hard to find the right words. No matter what I do I can't seem to bring justice to her books. I can't explain just how amazing her and her books are. I end up just saying to read it for yourself and find out. To experience it for yourself because that's the only way you will truly understand.

  This book was like a maze. You never knew what was lurking around the corner. Was it going to be sudden death? A trap? A dead end (there is no such thing in Julie's book mazes)? A fountain of fortune? A home free run? Every page amazed me more than the last. I was hooked. No, I was transfixed. There would be little to no action at one point and then BOOM! There is action galore and your brain can't process is so you have to go back just to make sure you didn't miss anything or make it all up in your head. One part in particular made me double...triple my steps back. It happened so quick and the catastrophe was so catastrophic I was like wth!? What the hell just happened and what did I miss? It was seriously in the blink of an eye and everything went to hell. My goodness!!! I couldn't help be taken back by the genius that Julie Kagawa produced sometimes.

  The characters are awesome. I love Allie. She is cool and that katana of hers is the definition of kick-ass. I even enjoyed Jackal's presence. I love the snide remarks, wit, and all around comic relief he blesses us with. I bet he would completely enjoy that statement. Allie and Jackal's conversations were hilarious. I am not convinced that Jackal is on the good side. Why? Because he isn't plain and simple. He is on the side that has the upper hand. What he does is for himself. If he sees it benefiting him he will jump in. If he sees it as sudden death he won't. Don't let him full you. Kanin. Man that was some rough stuff. Sarren *shivers* Now THAT is an evil character. The amount of goosebumps and shivers he managed to draw from me is ridiculous. That guy is seriously creepy, insane, morbid, and did I mention...evil!!? Zeke. *sighs* Oh Zeke. I love you like I love pizza...and that is a lot. Man this boy is totes adorbs ;P He is so pure and loving you can't help but be attracted and swooned.

  That ending. Sweet baby Jesus. I died. That was one of the worst endings you could possible have! I knew it. I knew that was going to be the case because of who Sarren is and he doesn't give you what you want....sometimes death is too easy. He will give you exactly what you don't want. The thing you would rather die than have. Goodness....I can't believe Julie actually followed through. I have no hope for the next book because it has nothing going for it but tragedy. Julie Kagawa is finally going to rip my heart out. Seven books later of hers and I am finally going to have nothing left. She keeps stealing piece after piece of my heart and with this final book in the Blood of Eden series it's all going to be gone. I am going to be a zombie: emotionless, starved, and depressed. ;P That's the thing. Her writing is so incredible that she leaves you so vulnerable. She holds your heart, mind and emotions in the palm of her hand. Every book of hers does that. She is a cruel cruel mistress that you can't help but love. *sings* And I hate how I love you so...*stops singing* (Ne-yo and Rihanna)

  I can only complain about one thing in this series: the book cover switch. I have a major reading pet peeve. Well I have a few but one is the following: when half way through the series they decide to change the covers. I like my books to match. They don't match when you go and redesign the rest of the freaking series. I like the new cover (its cooler when you can see it all. When you take the book jacket off it has Allie and her katana, same with the book flaps) but I would have preferred they made up their minds before releasing the first book!

  In a world over stocked on vampire books Julie throws her piece into the mix and shakes it all up. There is no going back once you read this series. The Blood of Eden trilogy is sure to out shine every vampire book in the Young Adult genre today. It's refreshing, riveting and ravishing. (Don't judge the word choice I needed three "r" words) ;P I'm not joking. This is a series sure to sweep you off your feet. I tend to like the more realistic books and this is as real as vampires get. No "shining in the sun light" vegetarian crap. It's creepy, thrilling and heart-throbbing. These books got it all: romance, action, blood and gore, heroism, all of it! Read this book. Then read all her other books. They are all amazing. I will swear up and down on Julie Kagawa and all her series. They are what greatness is made of. Plain and simple.

~Rating:

 

Need-In-Order-To-Breathe (5 stars times a million)

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day,

~Jaiden

{Review} Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me
Series: Shatter Me #2
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Release Date: February 5, 2013
by, HarperCollins
Source: Bought
Pages: 461

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  Ding-Ding-Ding!!!! We have another winner!! So many great books in a row you guys!! I'm just going to start off by saying: yes, this book has a "need in order to breathe" rating. Now, in case you are new to my reviews, the highest ranking in stars you can get is a 5. A five star rating means that I am absolutely in love and obsessed. To get a five star rating is pretty rare. Because I tend to love all the books I read and it is even rarer to get a 1-2 star rating, a lot of my rates are between 3 and 4.5. I try not to give 5 stars out to many books because...greatness needs to be rewarded and if you use the term "greatness" too loosely it begins to have no worth right? Right. So five star ratings are rare. Do you know what is even rarer? A "need in order to breathe" ranking. That ranking means that not only am I in love and obsessed but that this is one of those miracle books. The ones that have everything in it. The ones that can be greater than great. Ones that I will keep with me forever, read over and over again without getting tired of them. The ones that over take every emotion and thought in me. Steal my breathe, heart and mind. So, when I give a "need in order to breathe" ranking....you know its good and you know its more than a favorite.

  Ok, so with that said...Unravel Me is one of those books that stole my breathe, heart, and mind. I had a few problems with this book but quite frankly, the good completely out weighed the bad. It obviously had to be pretty spectacular stuff to make the top rate right? Yes, so first thing...

  Tahereh Mafi's writing. Wow-oh-wow! I thought she was good in the first one! This second book she completely shined. She showed off her talent beautifully! I don't think I have ever read a book so beautiful before. Writing that is. Tahereh breaks all the rules and it works. She has a way of looking about things so differently it really opens your eyes. She makes you look at things in a way you never thought of! This book was a masterpiece in itself because of Miss Mafi's artistic hand. She has such an amazing voice that demands to be heard. (ok not voice really but well...her author voice. The one that she turns from sound to ink on paper.) Sometimes I would just read a certain passage and have to just stop, read it again, sit back, and admire the genius she just shared with us all. I was so pleasantly surprised by her talent over and over and over again! And its not just the words that she writes but the way she writes them. She will separate sentences in certain ways that make an emphasis on certain things. Its incredible! Tahereh Mafi is on superb author who knows what she is doing and who's talent exceeds and shines! She might as well add an "i" to the end of her last name making it Mafia. Why? Because she kills and tortures us!! ;D

  Now. Juliette. *dead pans* My-oh-my. I am sorry but Juliette bugged the absolute shit out of me this book. She is so whiny and its always "poor me! poor me!". I seriously felt like slapping her 3/4 of the book. I hated her with a passion. I wanted someone to slap her and yell "get the f over yourself. Yes, it's a pitty what happened with the child. Yes, it's probably hard to have a touch so lethal but you know what? Change! Embrace your power and use it for good! You could be one kick-ass heroine but you are ruining it with all your mopey soap opera shit!" And do you know what? Someone did...kind of. Let's just say Kenji is one of my all time favorite side characters. He is flipping hilarious and the man knows what to say when its needed to be said. I will say that at the end of the book...I was left happy. I know Juliette can be one of the greatest YA heroines ever. It just sucks that we will have to wait till the final book to get her there.

  Now for the good...the other good. The good that was not Tahereh's writing. The good that has all us girls swooning 99% of the time in all YA books. The boys. Ah, yes the boys. Let's start with...Adam! I love Adam. He is adorable, charming, sweet, and one hell of a looker right? Yes. Yes indeed he is. I just have one problem...Him and Juliette. Now, now! Don't go sending me hate mail just yet all you #TeamAdam girls. Did I not just compliment the heck out of the guy!? Yes I believe I did. I think he is amazing and totally swoon worthy. I would be lying if I said I wasn't #TeamAdam from the beginning. In fact I hated Warner! I thought he was a bloody psychopath and so was anyone who could hold love for a murderer! A twisted psychotic EVIL guy! But, I indeed traded teams. I read Destroy Me and fell head over heals for Warner and then I read Unravel Me and about exploded from all the love I was having for him.

  Again, I like Adam I just don't think he belongs with Juliette. He hinders and baby's her. Warner is a better fit. He sees the power she has and knows she can be unstoppable. He doesn't wish for her to be any different (neither does Adam but let me finish!!) he truly accepts her for who she is. He strengthens her. He brings out the best in her. He gives her a backbone. I think Adam babies her WAY too much. He wants to protect her...Warner wants her to be safe but he knows that she is strong enough to not need the assistance. He would do anything for her but he can see the strength in her that others can't. So bottom line Warner should be with Juliette. I truly only liked her when she was with him. She could put all her petty insecurities and mopey thoughts away when she was with Warner. Seriously. When Juliette was with Warner all those things that pissed me off about her disappeared. Now, I want a happy ending for Adam. I wouldn't be able to deal with him unhappy. So, Tahereh..hear me loud and clear...Juliette is a better Juliette when she is with Warner. Let the series end with them together and give us an awesome chick to be with Adam! :) Thank you!!

  Warner!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh this book was filled with nothing but sexy Warner parts! It was heaven. I had to put the book down sometimes and remember how to breathe. I think I have reread certain passages more than once...twice...five...ya. I lost count ;D

  If you have not started this series please do! It is amazing. Tahereh Mafi gives us a phenomenal sequel. This woman knows what she is doing! Her writing is superb and her characters are shining stars. This series will capture the hearts of all dystopia loving readers! Don't wait till the third one comes out...or maybe do and read them all together so you aren't dying like the rest of us are now. Bottom line...Warner is a sexy beast. Wait, woah. hahaha well that is embarrassing. That kind of just slipped out on its own. *shrugs* Can you blame me? ;D What I meant to say is...WARNER IS THE SEXIEST BEAST ALIVE...(Well written). Ok ok...in all seriousness....Bottom line is, you need to read this series. (and then swoon over just how sexy of a beast Warner is hehehe) (seriously in my top 5 favorite guys...just saying!!) ;D

~Rating:

Need-In-Order-To-Breathe!!!!! (5 stars times a billion)

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!! :D

~Jaiden

{Review} Smashed by Lisa Luedeke

Smashed 
Author: Lisa Luedeke
Release Date: August 21, 2012
by, Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: *a copy was provided by the author for review purposes*
Pages: 336

A field hockey star grapples with addiction in this riveting debut that will appeal to fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak. 
Stay out of trouble for one more year, and Katie Martin can leave her small town loneliness behind forever. She is a field hockey star on the fast track to a college scholarship, but her relationship with alcohol has always been a little questionable. Then trouble finds her. Alec is the most popular guy in school, and also the biggest bully—with his sights set firmly on Katie. When Alec turns on the charm, Katie thinks she must have been wrong about him.

Except that she wasn’t. On a rain-soaked, alcohol-drenched night, one impulsive decision leaves Katie indebted to Alec in the worst possible way. This debut novel is a fast-paced and compelling story of addiction, heartbreak, and redemption.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  I've read my fair share of contemporary books with the theme being a broken girl thrown into a mix of lies, broken family, etc. It's easy for these kind of books to merge together, each one becoming a replica and nothing outstanding. I have to say that Lisa did a great job at creating Smashed so that it does not blend in with the background but instead, stands out!

  Upon reading some reviews of this book I was wary to start it. I heard things about way too much foul language, explicit sexual description, etc. I even read this one review where it said just this:

"I am now going to tell you what happens and save yourself the embarrassment of having read something so awful.

Guy attracts alcoholic (pretty, successful, and needy) girl, who is dumb enough to coerce herself into his groping hands.

Alcoholic girl parties with guy for half the book.

Alcoholic girl drives drunk with guy and crashes them into a tree, disfiguring said guy. 

Guy takes the blame for the crash so she will owe him sex. 

Guy stalks girl for half the book.

Guy rapes girl.

Girl has PTSD and then beer is found in guy's school locker. 

THE END.

oh yeah, there was supposed to be something about her dad...? Yeah there was, but it was so irrelevant and stereotypical I have forgotten..."

  Ok, I am not even the author by I'm offended. There was so much more to this book than that!! I don't know but I like the broken stories the best. The ones about the girl with so many problems she is practically drowning in them. Where the girl is so strong that she can pull through from all her problems. I think those protagonists are the strongest ones of all. They have more courage, faith, and strength than the ones fighting the government in resistance, trekking through a forest filled with demons and other scary stuff. Why? Because they hold truth. These could be the stories that help a girl or boy out because they are going through the same things.

   "Dumb enough to coerce herself into his groping hands"!!??? Excuse me!!? It is so far beyond that!! Did you not read any of her thoughts? It wasn't a fact of being dumb it was the fact of being a decent human giving someone a benefit of the doubt. She liked him. She thought he was a nice sweet guy. She didn't expect him to attempt rape! Haven't you ever been in love? It can be frighteningly true when they say "love is blind". No girl wants to be raped. No one wants to think someone they know and care about is capable of it. To be honest. I probably might have thought those thoughts before but then I read Knee Deep by Jolene Perry and it kind of opened my eyes a little more to these things that happen. It gave me a different way of thinking about girls that struggle through alchohol addictions, lying, being raped, staying in abusive relationtships, etc. You would think it'd be so easy to just turn away. I mean you'd have to be stupid to stay in an abusive relationship right? Wrong. It is so much more than that and I feel as if whoever is quick to judge is the stupid one. Now, please take note I am not calling the author of the quoted review stupid. I was just deeply offended by it and felt as if I needed to explain something.

  Now, enough with that rant, on to the book. Please, completely disregard any reviews like that. Read it for yourself and see if you agree or disagree. Take head. Don't read it. Read it. You may do as you please. The problem now a days is we see something, hear something and we are too quick to believe it. Instead of finding the facts out ourselves and thinking "Well, based on all the data I have gathered, what do I think?" and do get all sides of the story. Don't read a good review and think "Oh I am going to love it"...you may as well just hate it! Don't read a bad review and think "Oh, well that's not worth it. Might as not read it ever!"....because you very may just have loved it...found a favorite book of yours. Would you know that? No. Why? Because you took someone else's word way too easy and too much to heart. You didn't find out yourself so you lost the chance of falling in love with a book. Heed this warning. Don't. The choice is up to you.

  Ok, I did it again. I ranted and now I am already six paragraphs in and haven't talked about the book like I am supposed to!! And it is a rather boring and high on emotional ranting...Oops! ;D Where'd the fun go!? So Katie has her problems. One problem leads to the other and it all kind of just starts snowballing leaving her run over at the bottom of the hill by the huge snowball that has been falling and collecting for sometime. I felt so sorry for her. But then, I didn't. If she hadn't gone through all that stuff I don't think she would be nearly as strong as she was by the end of the book. It's hard to see but all the bad that happens to us happen for a reason. A reason we may not be able to understand at the time but a reason none the less. Isn't that a horrific thought? But its true. What doesn't kill us really does make us stronger. 

  Katie's friends were the true hope in most of the book. I loved Stan and I loved Matt and I loved Cassie. They were her backbone. Katie didn't realize it while she was being plowed but they were. No matter what she did she still had their support. It'd be nice to have those right? We can if we associate ourselves with the right people. That was one of Katie's flaws...one of the things that lead her to her ultimate downfall. She associated herself with the wrong crowd, pushed away the right crowd, then let herself be alone....think she was alone. Those who truly love us won't ever leave us alone. 

  Mr. Luedeke created a wonderful, heart wrenching, inspiring tale that absolutely touched my heart. Her writing was soulful, ugly in truth but beautiful in outcome. She really explored what it means to find love in others, and especially yourself. Life isn't easy...this is what Lisa shows us. The brutal honesty Lisa portrays is exactly what I loved about this book. It had its flaws. But don't we all? Nothing is perfect and nothing will be. I just wanted to show this one last paragraph from the previously quoted review:

Conclusion.
Let us look at the most penetrating, deep questions Katie poses to herself:

"Why did I ever do half the things I did?" (P.76)

"What did I really want?" (P.179)

Sadly, she never quite finds out. At least she apologizes for being an idiot on page 316, but she does nothing to change it.
This book perpetuates the YA lit lie that things improve without personal change. Absolutely despicable. Just think about it. We teens are getting the message from the protagonist that it's OK to smoke weed. It's OK to get hammered every chance you get. It's good in fact, because your life will improve while you do all these things! Just look at Katie! Just look at her and her stupid life and stupid choices and the utter lack of ability she has to control her own actions!

Indeed, if you take a look at all, take a good long look.
And don't forget this terrifying read."

  No. She doesn't find out exactly what she wants. Or why she did what she did. Do you? Do you know exactly what you want and why you did the things you do? If you do, damn. Color me jealous. No. Katie DOES change. She is able to have the courage to face her fears, step away from her past and start over. You can't go back and change the past. Sometimes you have to move one and completely start over. If you are constantly looking over your shoulder, you might miss that you are walking to your own death. Haha not once did it encourage the smoking of weed or to get hammered. No. SHIT! You have got to be kidding me. The hell!? Katie's life did NOT improve because of those....they let to her utter demise! She was DESTROYED because of it. She lost EVERYTHING! Have you never made a stupid decision in your life? If not, well then color me jealous TWICE. We learn from our mistakes.

  I am sorry but I found that completely insulting. We are entitled to our own opinions but if those opinions are insulting, rude, ignorant and disrespectful don't even bother opening your damn mouth. Sorry my feathers are completely ruffled. I do encourage you to read this book. I liked it. I found it inspiring and lovely. It was true. It was honest. It was done right. I don't encourage you to go and do what Katie did. I don't encourage you to make every damn mistake possible so you can "learn from it". Yes, some of Katies decision's were stupid. So are some of mine. Again, not encouraged. I encourage us to make the best decisions possible. To do what is best for you. Will you make the wrong choice sometimes? Yes. Will that cause you trouble? Most likely. Negative outcomes occur. But life doesn't come with a warning "Do this and this will destroy you". Humanity has blessed with a conscience. A conscience some people refuse to use...A conscience some choose to embrace. There is humanity, morals, goodness! Whether we choose to use them is our choice. There is no perfection in this imperfect world. Katie did some terrible things but it cost her. It molded her. It scarred her. It transformed her.

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day!!

~Jaiden

{Review} The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave
Series: The Fifth Wave #1
Author: Rick Yancey
Release Date: May 7, 2013
by, Putnam Juvanille
Source: bought
Pages: 457

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey. 
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  Wowy-Wow-Wow-Wow!!! Wow. I was recommended this book by a friend and because of the amount of trust I have in his choices, I was all for starting it. No questions asked. So, I downloaded the book and began reading. As I began reading I found out that it was an alien-post-apocalyptic book. Only one problem...I am NOT a huge alien book fan. I don't know why but the subjects of aliens in YA just don't please me. I don't like them very often. I have read one series that was about aliens and even though I liked it I didn't particularly care for it. So after telling my friend that I don't like alien books he told me to shut up and read the book ;P He claimed it was good and again because of my trust in his likes I continued to read. Not only that but after looking at my goodreads friend's reviews I decided it might be worth it...the worst that could happen is I hated it right? Right.

  So, the question is...did I end up hating it? Uhm..hell no I didn't! I am so glad I continued to read it. This is one of those rare books that have genius written all over it. Rick Yancey is just that...a genius. It is true without a doubt. His writing is superb. Now this is a well written book. The way he wrote every character is outstanding! I immediately fell in love with Cassie's POV and then Ethan's (even though we only got one chapter from him! Total and only disappointment I had with this book) and her brother's and then well...I better not mention the other one since it is kind of a spoiler. Anyways, point is is that Rick Yancey puts a whole new definition to the word "talented". I am pretty sure that if you look the word "talented", "genius", "creative", and "unique" Rick Yancey's name would be under each and everyone of those.

  I don't even know how to explain his writing. It is something that you have to read for yourself. Its not crazy philosophical or lyrical or anything like that. It is probably so enjoyable because of how true it is. His writing is realistic. The way he thinks it all out. His characters especially. I am sorry but I have a hard time believing that if a post-apocalyptic event like the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, wave happened no 16 year old girl would go out into the streets without any fear, full combat skills, or all that mumbo-jumbo. Its cool to read about those stuff but it makes the story that much more fictional and as enjoyable as that is it doesn't quite hook you like a more realistic fictional story does. If that makes any sense at all. Cassie is just one teen girl looking to survive for herself, her father and her little brother. She has to make life risking decisions and choices that have ultimate consequences. She is scared and frightened and she keeps this journal where she documents everything that has happened and the war going on in her mind. It was beautiful!

  I think Cassie was a hell of a lot more enjoyable than Katniss! She was snarky and funny. Cassie is brave and strong in ways Katniss can never be. Seriously, Katniss and The Hunger Games better watch out. Rick Yancey has one hell of a series that is going to put both to shame! Sorry. The truth that Mr. Yancey puts behind every character's actions was what hooked me the most. At the end of the book I was left wondering how my actions might be different and how I may or may not be able to survive if something like this were to happen. So in case you haven't gotten the hint yet, The 5th Wave has different POVS. While I love when authors do this I also hate it. Only for one reason though. Reason being, they end each POV at the worst possible moment and I am left wanting to skip the next POV so that I can finish the one I was just reading. It is a torturous method.

  While there was some great action in this book, it wasn't action at every corner. That being said, when there was action I about died every time. There at the end my feels were feeling too many feels that I think I might have almost passed out from the amount of hyperventilating I was doing. No. Joke. And then by the end of the book...this was my reaction (according to my last Goodreads update):

"FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you can't end a book like that!!!!! where the he'll is Evan!!!!?? I want me some Evan!!!!! DAMN IT!!!! Please tell me the sequel is out tomorrow...next week...o wouldn't even mind a month..."

  Ya, I pretty much through an emotional ride hissy fit. ;P What can I say!? Its the effects of reading this wondrous book! There were so many great things in this book you can't even count them individually. You just have to wrap them all up in a pretty bow and call them The 5th Wave. Yes, because the entire book was awesomesauce. So wait? What about the whole alien bit? It didn't faze me? Nope. It was a different kind of alien lore. It was different enough for me to realize it was aliens but not feel as if they were aliens. I know, doesn't make sense. Basically I was able to look over the whole alien bit and enjoy the book for everything it was. I actually really enjoyed the alien bit! Rick Yancey's The 5th Wave was an exception to my "hate alien books" rule.

  I can seriously not complain about one thing in The 5th Wave. It was incredible! I ate this book like it was my favorite pizza! I completely devoured it. I can't wait any longer for book two. I seriously need it ASAP! The way it ended...was cruel. I can't see where Rick takes this series. I am a HUGE Rick Yancey fan everyone. He is a true genius and now a huge favorite of mine! If you are a fan of The Hunger Games then be prepared to have your socks blown off. I honestly think that everyone should go out and buy a copy so they can read the thrilling adventure that is The 5th Wave. This is one of those 2013 books you NEED. If you are looking around and need a book to read this should be your first choice. Once I could put my alien book hate I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down. There is a reason this book is on my "need in order to breathe" shelf. Its one of those rare books I am going to keep around for as long as I live. One that I will snuggle with at night. One that I will re-read till its worn and falling apart. One that will follow me everywhere I go. It is a part of my heart now and it always will be! THAT my friends is where my love of this book exceeds and the amount of amazeballs it is. ;D

~Rating:

Need-In-Order-To-Breath!!!!!!! (5 stars times a billion) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful summer day! :)

~Jaiden

{Review} Ink by Amanda Sun

Ink
Series: Paper Gods #1
Author: Amanda Sun
Release Date: June 25, 2013
by, Harlequin Teen
Source: Netgalley
Pages: 377

I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look. 

Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of a girl lying on a bench. 

A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness. 

And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine. 

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.{Goodreads}

 ~Review:
  OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!! You guys don't even know how flipping amazing this book is! Wow. Just wow. I thought I understood the definition of unique. I thought I had read some pretty unique books but I guess I never truly understood unique or ever read a book as completely unique as Ink is. Ink by Amanda Sun is the true definition of unique. It is a true breath of fresh air for the Young Adult genre. I seriously don't even know where to begin with this review! Should I start with the amazing writing? The amazing characters? The amazing story line? The amazing cover? The..the...the!!! Ya I am going to have a huge malfunction just trying to explain how great this book really is. I am not going to do much justice for this book but I am sure as hell going to try!

  Ok, so I decided I actually wanted to talk about the cover first. Just real quick because please, a cover like that has to be talked about am I right or am I right? I am a person fond of art. I draw and occasionally paint myself. Its a way of expression just like writing. So, being a person who loves art I think I can say that this cover is well...art. Its gorgeous! I am not sure which cover I am most fond of, the one above or this one:

  I don't know. All I know is that both are absolutely gorgeous! I love them. They are beautiful and whoever designed the cover is genius. They go wonderfully with the book and hell, they are just eye candy! I want a copy just to put on my shelf so I can stare at it all day long! Anyways, there is my brief cover obsession.

  The cover art is not the only thing about this book that has grabbed my attention and affection. The cover art isn't the only thing about this book that needs to  be acknowledged. Its not the only thing that is genius and gorgeous! The whole book in itself is absolutely breathtaking! Yes, I found Ink wonderful, splendid, gorgeous and breathtaking! I loved how Ink was set in a foreign country. It allowed me to see teenage life through a different culture's eye. Its crazy how many things differ from here and Japan! I loved how Amanda gave us little Japanese lessons. I learned some Japanese words thanks to her! Now, if I ever go to Japan I can cuss people out ;D Hahaha JK!!! Mrs. Sun didn't teach Japanese cuss words! Well a couple but that wasn't the only thing! ;P

  The setting being in Japan made Ink that more intriguing! And it totally throws the ordinary Young Adult character stereo types off. It was great! Tomo...Tomo, Tomo, Tomo! I wasn't sure I could love you but I did...I fell hopelessly in love with you! Holy crap! Tomo knocks the usual troubled bad boy thing out of the water! Phew! *fans self* This boy is all sorts of sexy! Skilled fighter, creative and absolutely wonderfully skilled in drawing, devilish smirk that can melt your insides...this boy has got it all. To top it all off...underneath that hard exterior is a broken boy with the ability to be mushy and gooshy!! *sighs* Ya, I got Tomo fever!! ;D (he would probably kill me for saying that hahaha) 

  Ok, enough with the love interest lets talk protagonist. Katie was forced to go to live with her aunt in Japan after her mother died. Normally she would have had her grandparents take custody of her but because her grandfather was weak, fighting cancer, she had no choice but to get an ice cold bath of culture shock. And to top it all off her aunt sent her to a traditional Japanese school. Not a foreign exchange one where American kids go but one where most don't know English and well...ya talk about a huge culture shock for poor 'ol Katie. Lucky for her she is a pretty quick learner! Katie wasn't your all skilled fighting heroine. She was a normal...well normalish girl with not much going for her. Not extravagantly pretty, not extremely skilled in something combat worthy, not incredibly bold and courageous but she was strong when she needed to be, smart when she had to be and as helpful as she could be. She was great in my eyes. Sure she dealt with fear and emotions of a normal teenage girl but I found her...admirable.

  The side characters were enjoyable. I liked Katie's friends! I also found the villains enjoyable. Well, as enjoyable as villains could be. It turned out that the villain was more..inner for most of the book. We didn't get a physical villain or opposing force until the very end. It was more like Tomo fighting his inner uhm, demon? Tomo fighting Katie? Ugh. I can't say too much without giving everything away.Sorry guys, you are going to have to read it yourself! Ok, so I'm not THAT sorry because this book is absolutely amazing and you will thank me later for peaking your interest. Seriously. Let your interest be peaked. ;)

  The paranormal aspect in this book was outstanding! Again, Ink takes unique to a whole new level. It takes Young Adult to a whole new level. I found myself so incredibly enthralled with this book! I don't even know what to label this! Is it paranormal? Urban fantasy? Fantasy? Mythology? I'm not entirely sure but whatever the heck it is...its flipping good! The writing was magnificent. The romance was adorable. The action--not being the main thing going on in this book but when there was action--was thrilling. The characters were enjoyable and the whole book experience was incredible! Where things ended....I have no want to finish because I know it is going to be disastrous and heartbreaking BUT!! Who am I kidding I will finish because it is so good. Oh my gosh. The ending you guys...the ending was *tears up* *sniffles* so cute. I did a little jig I will admit. It was also devastating and it left you thinking "what the hell is this author setting into motion?". But the cute part was the last what? 3 pages? Ya, adorbs.

  If you are looking for something refreshing and unique, this is the book you need. Look no further. I think this is a 2013 debut that everyone should be dying to get their hands on. Amanda Sun delivers something so beautiful, thrilling and extravagant that you are not going to want to miss out on. She has made a favorite out of me. I am not going to hold onto my patience for book two. Take notice that I didn't describe what exactly made this unique or go into much detail about the actual happenings of this book. Why? Because I wanted you to be intrigued enough to read it. I wanted to create a mystery out of it so that you can be as blown away as I. Really, go out and buy this book when it comes out. It is so worth it! 

~Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!! :D

~Jaiden

{Review} The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher

The S-Word
Author: Chelsea Pitcher
Release Date: May 7, 2013
by, Gallery Books
Source: *a copy was provided by the author for review purposes*
Pages: 304

First it was SLUT scribbled all over Lizzie Hart’s locker.  

But one week after Lizzie kills herself, SUICIDE SLUT replaces it—in Lizzie's looping scrawl.  

Lizzie’s reputation is destroyed when she's caught in bed with her best friend’s boyfriend on prom night. With the whole school turned against her, and Angie not speaking to her, Lizzie takes her own life. But someone isn’t letting her go quietly. As graffiti and photocopies of Lizzie’s diary plaster the school, Angie begins a relentless investigation into who, exactly, made Lizzie feel she didn’t deserve to keep living.And while she claims she simply wants to punish Lizzie’s tormentors, Angie's own anguish over abandoning her best friend will drive her deep into the dark, twisted side of Verity High—and she might not be able to pull herself back out.

Debut author Chelsea Pitcher daringly depicts the harsh reality of modern high schools, where one bad decision can ruin a reputation, and one cruel word can ruin a life. Angie’s quest for the truth behind Lizzie’s suicide is addictive and thrilling, and her razor-sharp wit and fierce sleuthing skills makes her impossible not to root for—even when it becomes clear that both avenging Lizzie and avoiding self-destruction might not be possible.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  Chelsea Pitcher is one of those authors you read from and think, KNOW that they were born for that exact reason. To steal readers breath and capture, squeeze and tear your heart. To shower us with such an abundance of love for the words they are so blessed to create and we are lucky enough to read. The story just flows as if it was as easy as breathing for them. Her writing is flawless and gorgeous. I have no words to even come close to delivering justice to the amount of talent of Miss Pitcher and the riveting story we call The S-Word.

  I was completely transfixed in this book!! I couldn't put it down and it literally pained me....PAINED ME to have to put it down for those silly little thugs like sleep and homework. I didn't WANT to put it down. I wanted to read it all the way through and at the same time, go as slow as possible just so the amazingness could never end....then again I wanted to know the end. This book was filled with bitter sweetness.
 
  The characters!! Oh the characters!! Some instantly click with you (Jesse) and others take more time to grow on you or well in some cases reveal their true selves. Woah!! How many twist and turns were there? How many times was I side swept!!?? Let me tell you...way too many!!! But it was so good!!! Sometimes I would read those little surprises and close the book, breathe in, breathe out, lay back and just die a little. The notes. The notes were what pained me the most. It actually hurt. My stomach and heart were pained by the pain of memories and the horrid words spoke, and the actions made.

  I literally have no clue what else to say other than read this book when it comes out. Please. I need everyone to read it. It's so worth it and amazing and fantastic and everyone who can read needs to experience the wonder that is The S-Word. I have become such a huge monster fan of Chelsea Pitcher because of this book. Her writing is extraordinary and her ability to master a story like this is beyond this world. I literally kissed the book after I turned the last page. I didn't want to read anything for about 3 days just because of the amount of impact the book had on me. It needed breathing room. I....I think I should just go now.

  Read the book ok guys? The S-Word is a 2013 you don't want to miss. I'm not even joking. This is one of the rare 5 star books. I don't give 5 stars unless they are rightly deserved. This book belongs to my need-in-order-to-breathe book shelf. It is one that I will make sure to carry around with me wherever I go during my life. One that I will read from beginning to end the rest of my life. One that I will never tire of. Thank you. Thank you Chelsea Pitcher for being the genius you are and writing The S-Word so all of us could experience your genius and one of the greatest stories ever written. I seriously would put it up with John Greene and his The Fault in Our Stars. Like TFOS, The S-Word had me feeling so many feels it was ridiculous!!! Also, if you have vet read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher...this book is a must!! I can't wait to see where Chelsea's career in the Young-Adult literature life takes her. I am starving for more of her work! Hear that? Get crack-a-lackin!! ;D Ok ok so NOW I'm done!!!

~Rating:

Need-In-Order-To-Breathe!!! <3 (the highest of the highest)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Have a great Monday!!! :D

~Jaidden 

{Book Tour} Astarte's Wrath by Trisha Wolfe

Astarte's Wrath
Series: Kythan Guardians #0.5
Author: Trisha Wolfe
Release Date: March 2, 2013
Source: *a copy was provided by the author for review purposes*
Pages: 215

A tragic love story.

Two thousand years before Dez Harkly developed her secret powers, Guardian Astarte was vowed to protect by the binds enslaving her to the Egyptian pharaohs. Discover the prophecy that originated from a very different time, and spans generations to link two very different girls.

This is the beginning.

Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Actium, in the city of Alexandria, Star struggles with her guardian duties as her feelings for the newly named pharaoh of Egypt grow deeper. Not only is Caesarion her duty, he’s the son of Cleopatra, and he’s human. All of which makes their love forbidden.

But when a conspiracy linked to Caesar creeps into Alexandria, Star must choose between helping her fellow Kythan free themselves of their servitude, and protecting her charge—the last pharaoh—while Egypt burns around her.

New Adult/Mature YA: sexual content, drinking, drugs, violence, language, death, and other mature content intended for readers 17 and older. Astarte's Wrath is a companion novel to Destiny's Fire, but can be read as a standalone novel. {Goodreads}

~Review:

  Wow wow WOW!!!!! She has done it! Trisha Wolfe has managed to blow my mind and both capture and break my heart. I fell in love with Trisha Wolfes writing and stories when I read her first book in this companionship, Destinys Fire. One of the best steam punk books I have ever read! I wasn't really sure where it was going when she offered me to join this event. It was mainly the cover that through me off. It was all Egyptian an I was confused. I had completely forgot the main important things from Destinys Fire!!!! I seriously need to reread it now.

  Now even though I was confused at first it quickly explained the Kythan things I had forgotten and I was so hooked on Astartes Wrath I didn't want to put it down until I finished and I didn't. I happen to be a huge fan of the Egyptian times and Cleopatra. And even bigger a fan of Egyptian times DURING Cleopatras reign xD I can imagine how much research Wolfe had to do to finish this book. And may I just say that she did a flipping fantastic job!! She truly caught the time and culture perfectly. I am no history major of that time but everything she wrote gave enough to make you feel you were really there. She captured the Greek tragedy perfectly. Too perfectly might add *cries hysterically*

  Astarte, Phoenix, Xarion....all the characters she created were wonderful. Even the bad guys. I really don't know how else to build this book up!! I'm at a loss of words for the amount of amazing Astartes Wrath contains! It was action packed. The first scene we open up to is a battle. There was tragedy interlaced to no end. There was romance like no other. Friendship. Loyalty. Betrayal. And it's the story of how it all started. I love this book to no end. Seriously I have no clue how else to express how great this book. From the characters to the writing to the plot to well everything. Every once of this book was wonderful. It had be heart broken to no end and full of joy at the same time. If you haven't read this series do so as soon as possible ok? Thank you so much Trisha for giving me a chance to read your genius!! ;D

  This review was a part of the Astarte's Wrath Event hosted by the Tough Girl Legion!

~Rating:

4.5 of 5 wonderful stars!!!!! <333

~The Author:

Trisha Wolfe is the author of the YA Steampunk DESTINY'S FIRE (Omnific Publishing), ASTARTE'S WRATH NA Historical/Supernatural, and the upcoming YA Utopian FIREBLOOD from Spencer Hill Press, October 2013. My NA Dark Fantasy OF SILVER AND BEASTS available May 2013.  The creator of YA Bound, a promotional site for the Young Adult genre. Also a member of SCWW and The Apocalypsies.  A proud business owner, partnered with her partner, her husband. When she's not busy doing all of the above, she is a wife and the mother of a gorgeous teen boy who's the sounding board for my male characters.

~The Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks for stopping by!!

Have a wonderful day :D

~Jaiden

{Review} What the Spell? by Brittany Geragotelis

What the Spell?
Series: Life's a Witch #1
Author: Brittany Geragotelis
Release Date: January 29, 2013
by, Simon and Schuster
Source: *a copy was provided by the author for review*
Pages: 288

A teenage witch juggles popularity and romance while keeping her powers a secret in this spellbinding debut.Almost-sixteen-year-old Brooklyn feels invisible, but she desperately wants to be pretty, to be popular, to be adored by a cute guy. Luckily for her, she’s a witch about to come of age—so she’s only a few spells away from making it all happen.


On her milestone birthday, Brooklyn’s conservative parents finally unbind her powers, which include the ability to magically match couples with a love spell. Brooklyn uses her special skills to get a makeover, new friends, and the attention of her crush, Asher. But the popular clique Brooklyn wants to infiltrate puts her in the same precarious position as her Salem ancestors: If she’s found out, she could be vilified—and lose Asher in the process. Can she make the most of her magic, or will she be luckless and loveless? Be careful what you witch for!{Goodreads}

~Trailer:

~Review:
  The way I got this book was totally epic. I had it as a WOW post cray se I loved the quirky title and series name. A quirky author=a fun book! So anyways she saw the tweet and was gracious enough to offer me a copy!! I was super excited!!

  Now the main question? Was it worth all my hype? Yes I think it was. There were times I wanted to throw it across the room and slap Brooklyn so hard that her head turned around but I still enjoyed it when the book ended.

  Brooklyn was my main problem but it was a problem created purposely by the author I think. The thing is is Brooklyn is a witch. A witch that had her powers bound for her life until now, her sixteenth birthday. If your powers were bound your whole life would you be a little more than curious and go a little buck-wild? Ya well that's what she does. But another thing is Brooklyn is a sort of wall flower and she is tired of it. She's tired of her average looks and eating lunch with the guidance counselor. She wants to be noticed. Admired. Envied. She wants to be an Elite. I was just so annoyed by how shallow and naive she was. She made mistake after mistake hurting people after people and ruining why made her...her!! Again that was kind of the point. If she hasn't done all those stupid things that made me want to slap her she wouldn't have learned and t wouldn't have ended the way it did.

  This book was fun and more of a contemporary with a slight dash of the witch paranormal. I mean, excluding the magic Brooklyn uses to get her through life it would be a contemporary. Now I know what your thinking. Wouldn't that be the case with ALL paranormal books? Strip away the paranormal and that's all your left with right? Ok so let me rephrase then. There wasn't any paranormal goal. There wasn't some huge witch hunter threatening Brooklyn or anything like that that normally drives the paranormal plot. There was mention of the Salem witch trials and hunters but that was it. Just mentioned.

  I think What the Spell was a fun read. It is the book that introduces one hell of a series. I can feel it. The way it ended just goes to show the amount of potential for the Life's a Witch series and I am highly looking forward to reading more of it. It was like the Nightwatchers series by Michelle Rowen. book one wasn't my favorite but i knew the next one would be epic and it totally was. there is so much potential for this series its ridiculous! hopefully book two will bring just what it needs to and dazzle me! ;D The writing was really clean and crisp. It flowed and made for a breezy read. Knowing this book had an awesome author made the book that much more awesome. You could tell she had fun writing it just by reading it. That my friends is something you don't get all the time. To actually feel that is spectacular! It's a one in a million kind of thing. Would I recommend this book? Yes!!

~Rating:

3.5 of 5 stars!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Have a great day!! :)

~Jaiden