Currently Reading

Powered by Blogger.

Followers

Lost in Stories bookshelf: read

Tess of the D'UrbervillesThe AwakeningSome Girls BiteGirls Like Funny BoysKissed by an Angel Collector's Edition: Kissed by an Angel; the Power of Love; SoulmatesCity of Glass

More of Romy's books »
Romy's  book recommendations, reviews, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists
Saturday, June 19, 2010

Kiss Of Death (The Morganville Vampires, #8) by Rachel Caine


Release Date: April 27, 2010
Publisher: Signet
Age Group: Young Adult, more suited to older readers
Pages: 256

Description:

Vampire musician Michael Glass has attracted the attention of a big- time producer who wants to cut a demo and play some gigs-which means Michael will have to enter the human world. For this, he's been assigned escorts that include both a dangerous immortal as well as Michael's all-too-human friends. And with that mix of personalities, this is going to be a road trip from hell...

My Review:

Kiss of death starts off with Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael finding out they were all granted passes to leave Morganville so Michael can record some songs in Dallas but their delight in leaving Morganville is only short lived once they find out who their chaperone is, Oliver. A simple trip to Dallas quickly turns into a nightmare when their drive to Dallas doesn’t go exactly to plan when Oliver decides to take a detour without Claire, Shane, Eve and Michaels knowledge. Soon after the detour the group has to survive a few obstacles such as being arrested, having a car trashed, being kidnapped, encountering a town of crazy vampires and dealing with vampire hating humans.

Rachel Caine has done it again, I could not put this book down I burned through it, this series keeps getting better and better. Throughout the series Claire has developed into an extremely strong and brave character and kiss of death only adds to this. I particularly enjoyed the part where she decided not to take anymore of Monica’s demands and sets her up with the help of an unwitting Oliver, pure genius. The relationship between Claire and Shane also develops more with Shane giving Claire his sisters’ ring which is a really big step for Shane who has had issues dealing with his emotions throughout the books. At the start of the book we see that Eve is second guessing her relationship with Michael because she is scared she’s losing him, however Eves fears about her relationship takes a back-seat when the action starts. Kiss of death is another great addition to the Morganville series, I cannot wait until Ghost Town comes out in October!

Sapphique by Catherine Fisher

Release Date: September 18, 2008
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 480

Description:

Finn has escaped from the terrible living Prison of Incarceron, but its memory torments him, because his brother Keiro is still inside. Outside, Claudia insists he must be king, but Finn doubts even his own identity. Is he the lost prince Giles? Or are his memories no more than another construct of his imprisonment? And can you be free if your friends are still captive? Can you be free if your world is frozen in time? Can you be free if you don't even know who you are? Inside Incarceron, has the crazy sorcerer Rix really found the Glove of Sapphique, the only man the Prison ever loved. Sapphique, whose image fires Incarceron with the desire to escape its own nature. If Keiro steals the glove, will he bring destruction to the world? Inside. Outside. All seeking freedom. Like Sapphique.

My Review:

Sapphique begins soon after the evens in Incarceron with Finn and Claudia together in the outside world and Attia and Keiro still stuck in the prison. At first it appears that Finn has been accepted by the court as the real prince Giles and is waiting to be crowned, however Queen Sia has other ideas. Finn is still torn about leaving Kiero and Attia in the prison and wants to find a way to get them out whilst Claudia tells him he must be patient and wait until after he is crowned. Soon it become apparent that whilst Finn may have escaped Incarceron he is still in a prison of sorts, he has simply replaced one prison for another.

Back in the prison Attia and Kiero are trying to find the Glove of Sapphique in order to escape from Incarceron, except the prison also wants the glove in order to fulfill its plan which, if enacted, could destroy both worlds.

Sapphique delves deeper into the outside world, what it’s like for not just the ruling elite but for the workers. We also discover that whilst it may seem a beautiful place all is not what is seems, what is real and what is not in this world? We also are taken on a journey through more of the prison.

Wow, this was an amazing sequel to Incarceron, with so many plot twists and turns that I did not see coming, Catherine Fisher truly is a remarkable story teller. I especially loved how descriptive Fisher was about the world she created. We were left with a satisfying ending, one that was not all neatly tied up however it wasn’t sad either. That said I feel that the ending left the reader with hope, hope for the future even though there is still work to be done. Great sequel to an excellent series, I highly recommended this series.

My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking

Release Date: March 17, 2010
Publisher: Lulu
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 266

Description:

Seventeen-year-old Alice Bonham's life feels out of control after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave hits aside, Jack's unlike anyone she's ever met.

Then she meets his brother, Peter. His eyes pierce through her, and she can barely breathe when he's around. Even though he can't stand the sight of her, she's drawn to him.

But falling for two very different guys isn't even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood...

My Review:

My Blood Approves is a quick paranormal read that sucked me in from the beginning, although I’m still not certain why even now writing this review I just can’t figure it out.

The book begins with Alice and her very promiscuous friend Jane (though I don’t know why Alice is friends with her) trying to get into a club however as they are underage they are denied and entry and decide to walk home down a dark street which is really smart. Anyway these weird crazy guys start following them ready to attack. Then suddenly a car comes out of nowhere and the driver gets out and scares the pants out of the guys, who run off. The girls’ saviour is Jack who tells the girls to get in his car and proceeds to take the girls for coffee. During this coffee session Jack seems to really like Alice much to Jane annoyance. From this first meeting Jack and Alice are kind of inseparable and it soon becomes apparent to the reader that there is something different about Jack (women all swoon over him, his skin temperature is a bit weird, he only goes out at night), he’s a vampire (which is kind of obvious from the title) however it takes Alice a fairly large part of the book to finally find out what Jack is. Alice is soon meeting Jack’s family including his brother who Alice has an instant attraction to (there is a reason) even though she also really likes Jack, can someone say love triangle, who will she choose?

Overall I enjoyed this book however there were a few things that irked me I mean I could not relate to Alice at all, she was obsessive about Jack waiting for him to text her, thinking about him all the time even when she went to school all she did was daydream about him and his family. When she did get home from school she would go straight out again with Jack, I surprised she even went to school why bother when she did nothing. I guess this may be hard for me to understand being a self confessed nerd but who does that? The plot was slow paced and was a tad predictable, it had some definite parallels to twilight and other paranormal books.

Whilst my blood approves is not breaking new ground I found it hard to put down, the book sucked me in and I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I think I will pick up the next instalment in the series.

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: August 01, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 368

Description:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My Review:

The iron daughter follows on not long after the events that took place in the iron king. Megan is being held in the Winter court by Queen Mab due to the bargain Megan made with Ash to save her brother. Ash has been absent this whole time leaving Megan alone and confused wondering if Ash really did care for her or not, was this all just a game to him in order to get Megan to the Winter court? When Megan does finally see Ash he is distant, aloof and rude to her which makes Megan even more confused because she loves him, why is he being like this? It soon becomes clear that Ash is only trying to protect Megan, if his mother or Rowan (Ash’s brother) knew how either Megan or he felt for each other they would both be in trouble, as they would use this against them, showing your feelings in the winter court is seen as a weakness. Soon however Megan and Ash are thrown together again when the sceptre of the seasons is stolen from the Winter court by the iron fey. Megan and Ash must find the sceptre and bring it back or war will break out between winter and summer which could have devastating consequences for the whole Nevernever.

Julie Kagawa has done it again and managed to write a book full of action, suspense and romance, that I could not put down. Megan really comes into her own in this book, she is strong, intelligent and fiercely loyal. I really felt for her at the start of the book with Ash gone and then suddenly reappearing but being distant, she had to suffer the cold winter court all alone. I really admired her decision to try and find the sceptre once it was stolen instead of going home (which she could have) because she understood the dire consequences that could result if it’s not returned and she also realised that she is part of this world whether she want to be or not.

You may be wondering like I was for the first couple of pages where is Puck? Well fear not all you Puck admirers Puck is back! I love Puck he is such a fun character, but I am torn between who I want Megan to end up with, it’s clear that both Puck and Ash love Megan. At the start of the book it was Puck then it was Ash, then Puck and then Ash again, oh my either way someone’s going to get hurt. I’ll just say one of them is not going to be happy at the end of the book. I got the feeling that whilst Ash does really love Megan he is still very much in love with his old love which can’t be easy for Megan or Ash. During one of my team Ash phases my heart just broke when Ash told her that it is impossible for them be together because he’s a winter fey and she is summer, it’s forbidden, I found myself shouting at the screen it doesn’t matter you love each other who cares about everyone else!

My favourite sarcastic cat, Grimalkin, is also back as is a surprising new ally that was in the iron king, let’s just say I was not expecting that. There are also new and old enemies revealed, one particular character, whilst they weren’t the nicest still came out of the blue. Throughout the book I got the feeling that there is more to Megan than meets the eye concerning her ability with the iron fey which will most probably be elaborated on in the next book. I also hope there is more on a certain person Megan meets but at first can’t remember who he is (for a reason), you’ll understand what I mean when you read the book.

The ending was great and unexpected I literally have no idea what’s going to happen next, I can’t wait for the iron queen, February 2011 so far away. I also should note I got my hands on a copy of the iron daughter ARC ebook courtesy of netGalley and the publisher (thanks!).

I'm back from my posting hiatus!

Hey everyone! As you can tell from the title of my post I am back from my posting hiatus and am ready to get started posting my reviews once again. You may be asking why did I take a break from posting? Well I had a very busy month at uni as well as at home but now things have started to slow down I am ready to get going again and catch up on all of my reviews that I need to finish. So happy reading!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles


Release Date: January 01, 2008
Publisher: Walker Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 357

Description:

A modern tale of star-crossed lovers with a fresh urban twist.

At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago , everyone knows that south-siders mixing with north-siders can be explosive. So when Brittany Ellis and Alejandro “Alex” Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, this human experiment leads to unexpected revelations – that Brittany ’s flawless reputation is a cover for her troubled home life, that Alex’s bad-boy persona hides his desire to break free from gang ties, and that when they’re together, life somehow makes more sense. Breaking through the stereotypes and expectations that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart, Perfect Chemistry takes readers to both sides of the tracks in a passionate love story about looking beneath the surface.

My Review:

Once I started reading this book I could not put it down, I read it in a couple of hours, I loved it. The book alternates between Brittany and Alex’s perspectives so we get to understand what both characters are thinking and going through. At first it appears that Brittany and Alex have nothing in common, Brittany is from a wealthy family and is popular whilst Alex is a gang member from the wrong side of town. However it becomes apparent that they have more in common than either of them realizes. Both Brittany and Alex are projecting a façade of what people think they should be or are. Because of this Brittany doesn’t really have anyone to confide in about her problems, except for her best friend but even then she doesn’t tell her everything. Alex also doesn’t have anyone to confide in either, he has chosen his path and is stuck, he cannot leave his gang and is worried his brothers will become apart of this world. When Alex and Brittany are thrown together as lab partners they don’t get along as each have preconceptions about the other however slowly they realise they are more similar than either one ever though possible.

Alex, Alex *swoon* what can I say about Alex, there was much more to Alex than just being a gang member, he was a complex character who projected a tough image but deep down he was a caring person which is evident by the way he treats his mother and brothers and later Brittany. At first I wasn’t to enamored with Alex for agreeing to the bet with his friend, what female would, but later when we got to know more about Alex I forgave him, I mean who wouldn’t. Simone Elkeles did an excellent job with Brittany who could have easily turned into a one dimensional character but Elkeles constructed a character with depth who was dealing with real family issues that many people go thorough. Oh and the chemistry between these two is intense.

I probably should mention that there are some violent parts in the book which is unavoidable as Alex is in a gang, Elkeles does not sugar coat what being in a gang means, but don’t be put off because at the heart of this book is a beautiful love story. Towards the end of the book I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen to both Alex and Brittany. Some parts were hard to read but were a necessary part of the book, but in the end it all came together. The ending was handled well especially the epilogue I loved it, what can I say I’m a sucker for a good romance. I highly recommend this book so get your hand a copy stat! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of rules of attraction which follows Alex’s younger brother Carlos.

Win An ARC of Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill Contest!


With only two months to go until Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill comes out, Chole is giving an ARC away *squeals*. If you want a chance to win simply go to http://chloeneill.blogspot.com/ and post a comment. Good luck! Below is the books blurb.

Merit, Chicago’s newest vampire, is learning how to play well with others. Other supernaturals, that is. Shapeshifters from across the country are convening in the Windy City, and as a gesture of peace, Master Vampire Ethan Sullivan has offered their leader a very special bodyguard: Merit. Merit is supposed to protect the Alpha, Gabriel Keene—and to spy for the vamps while she’s at it. Oh, and luckily Ethan’s offering some steamy, one-on-one combat training sessions to help her prepare for the mission.

Merit must accept the assignment, even though she knows that she’ll probably regret it. And she’s not wrong. Someone is gunning for Gabriel Keene, and Merit soon finds herself in the line of fire. She’ll need all the help she can get to track down the would-be assassin, but everywhere she turns, there are rising tensions between supernaturals—not least between her and a certain green-eyed, centuries old master vampire.

For those of you who can’t wait until the 6th of July head over to http://chloeneill.com/merit3.htm to get a sneak peak at a chapter from the book.

Related Posts with Thumbnails

About Me

Romy @ Lost.in.Stories
Greetings fellow blog readers, welcome to my blog and thank you for stopping by. Now you may be wondering who is lost.in.stories? Well lost.in.stories is also known as Romy, a 23 year old graduate student from Australia who loves to read. I read (maybe devour would be a more appropriate word) largely young adult novels, with a particular love of fantasy and paranormal novels, however I am also a sucker for a good romance.
View my complete profile

Email Subscription

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Reading Challenges

Awards

Awards



ARC Tours

Counter

Guests Online

Stats