Review: Moonset by Scott Tracey

Moonset by Scott Tracey

Paperback, 384 pages

Published April 8th 2013 by Flux
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Buy the book:  Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Justin Daggett, his trouble-making sister, and their three orphan-witch friends have gotten themselves kicked out of high school. Again. Now they’ve ended up in Carrow Mills, New York, the town where their parents—members of the terrorist witch organization known as Moonset—began their evil experiments with the dark arts one generation ago.

When the siblings are accused of unleashing black magic on the town, Justin fights to prove their innocence. But tracking down the true culprit leads him to a terrifying discovery about Moonset’s past . . . and its deadly future.

Moonset was a great surprise for me! I thought it would be a solid, good book, but did not expect it to wow me like it did.

The reader is thrown right into the lives of the Moonset five right out of the gate. School problems on an unimaginable level bring them to yet another new school. Here they learn that a lot of things in life are not accidents and things are NEVER as they seem. The story gives new meaning to the old saying "History is written by the victors." Sometimes you just have to be there to know what really happened. This set of friends endure so much because of past events. It fuels them and gives them a steadfast desire to prove themselves, but some act in more appropriate ways than others. Their story of overcoming the bans set upon them is phenomenal with all the events that blow up on them. You won't be able to put this one down once you get started. There is always a turn or something poking its head around the corner to jump out at you.

The characters truly make this story. I thought that five may be a little much for main characters, but Tracey really makes it work. It never feels overloaded or choppy. On top of this, other characters play key roles in areas that you normally wouldn't see them. Ash and Quinn has essential roles, but still are practically in the background a majority of the time. A couple characters had quirks that I didn't favor too much, but it really didn't detract from the book for me. I just skipped over a couple of lines and went about my way. They all are likeable in various ways and that made them easy to connect to. For me, all of their bantering conversations made them realistic and that made me enjoy them even more. I cannot wait to see where Tracey takes this story. I believe it can only get better with the groundwork that's been laid out!

Review: Undeadly by Michelle Vail

Undeadly by Michelle Vail

Paperback, 272 pages

Published November 20th 2012 by Harlequin Teen

Source: ARC, NetGalley
Buy the book:  Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

The day I turned 16, my boyfriend-to-be died. I brought him back to life. Then things got a little weird...

Molly Bartolucci wants to blend in, date hottie Rick and keep her zombie-raising abilities on the down-low. Then the god Anubis chooses her to become a reaper—and she accidentally undoes the work of another reaper, Rath. Within days, she's shipped off to the Nekyia Academy, an elite boarding school that trains the best necromancers in the world. And her personal reaping tutor? Rath.

Life at Nekyia has its plusses. Molly has her own personal ghoul, for one. Rick follows her there out of the blue, for another...except, there's something a little off about him. When students at the academy start to die and Rath disappears, Molly starts to wonder if anything is as it seems. Only one thing is certain—-Molly's got an undeadly knack for finding trouble....

 The concept won me over with this book, but the story itself could have benefited from a stronger heroine. 

Molly is a horrible accident waiting to happen. This girl has the luck of a bad penny, but she always seems to just scathe by trouble. In many ways she is a typical teenager trying to make it through a regular school day. However, supernatural incidents keep reminding her that she is not quite normal. Just how not normal she is actually completely unknown to her until she gets to Nekyia. Here events open up a can of worms and Molly has no choice but to fall in line...  Poor Rick. He gets drug along for the horrible ride, but is really a gem in the story. Rath. I adore him for some odd reason. He is a great character and compliment to Molly's naive personality. 

Together, this set of characters will give you a chance to involve yourself in the story along with them. It does start off slow, but Molly's blunders quickly get it rolling. Whining and teenage angst slow it down in several spots as well. If that had deterred from the story, this would have been an easy 5 sticky book. Unfortunately, it made me flip through a few parts to hurry the story along.

Review: Goliath by Scott Westerfeld

Goliath by Scott Westerfeld

Hardcover, 545 pages

Published September 20th 2011 by Simon Pulse, Simon & Schuster

Source: Own
Buy the book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Goliath is a magnetic beam weapon to encourage peace in 1914 alternative WW1 (between German mechanical Clankers and British Darwinist genetic animal/plant fabricators) by Serbian inventor Nicolas Tesla rescued from remote Siberia by organic 1K' British airship Leviathan midshipman Scottish Deryn Sharp, disguised as boy Daryl to join the Air Service, and her romantic interest, Prince Aleksander, secret heir to Austro-Hungarian throne. Grey-shaded sketches of fantastical contraptions, creative beasties, and impossibly slender characters adorn most of 44 chapters.

From Russia to Tokyo, California, and New York, the cast includes familiar mentors Dr Nora Barlow, London Zoological Society boffin (and Darwin granddaughter), and fencing master Count Vogel who warns Tesla may need to be assassinated. New faces are revolutionary leader Pancho Villa in Mexico, and newspaper and film mogul William Randolph Hearst showing first cliff-hanger episode from silent movie "Perils of Pauline". Hungry giant bears, ocean storms, attacking forces from sky, land, and underwater - how can the penniless royal and brave commoner achieve world peace and personal happiness?

 The series has been one of the most imaginative that I have ever read. This finale completely does it justice, but could have used a little more action in the plot.

We're thrown right back into the throws of the war and the Leviathan's journey. However, now the addition of young, and even forbidden, love makes the world even more complicated for Deryn and Alek. Thankfully a few events finally allow their relationship to get somewhere. It seems like they have been pent up for two books...oh, wait they were. The situation changes the entire dynamic of book, as it should have, and I loved watching the two of them grow up because of it. They both became stronger persons and that really upped their interactions with the other characters to supplement the plot. 

Unfortunately, the plot didn't feel as intense as it was in the other books. There were a few times that I skipped pages until I could get to something that would speed it up a little bit. The random and odd incidents are there just like before but they seemed disjointed sometimes. To make up for this, the characters and illustrations were still phenomenal and provided just enough "oomph" to keep my attention to make it through. I did love how Westerfeld wrote the ending and tied everything up beautifully. It is not the perfect way you want things to end for the series, but it does leave you with a completed feeling. 

This series has been a great ride. I would recommend it for children and adults alike!

Review: Covet by Melissa Darnell

Covet by Melissa Darnell

Ebook, 304 pages

Published October 1st 2012 by Harlequin Teen
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Dangerous to be together. Painful to be apart.
Savannah Colbert knows she broke up with Tristan Coleman for the right reasons. Most of all, to keep from killing him with her new vampire abilities. But try telling her heart. Now, lost in a sea of hostile Clann faces, Sav tries to come to terms with what she's becoming and what that means for her future. And that someone is doing their best to bully her into making a terrible mistake.
Tristan can't believe Sav won't even talk to him. If being apart is her decision, fine. Just don't expect him to honor it. But even as he prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.
A reckoning is coming...and not everyone will survive. 

 The Clann series keeps getting better and better! Crave was a great introduction to Savannah's world, but Covet gives it that "oomph" that the plot desperately needed. 

We pick up exactly where Crave left off and the book begins the first of many star-crossed lover's scenarios between Sav and Tristan. This would be one of the few complaints I have about the book. I know there needs to be some angst in it, but it could be dropped down a notch or so. It becomes very predictable and at times incredibly annoying. The characters are what made me get attached to the series, but this grinds on that to a degree. 

On the positive side of the spectrum, the plot got the guts it needed from the beginning. Once it starts to roll, it doesn't really slow down until the end of the book. This is definite improvement over the first book. It felt more in-depth and connected with the characters and really sucked me into what they were feeling and experiencing. The culminating events really threw me for a loop because of this and it was amazing. I laughed, and cried especially, along with Sav and the gang. I still feel that Sav needs to be able to catch a break a little more often, but her luck makes for a great ride for the reader. I loved that I got to learn a lot more history and background information on the organizations and Sav's family. Although, sometimes it hurt to know the back story and then experience the events Sav goes through. It is one of the many great aspects of the book. I can't wait to see where Darnell runs with this after Covet's ending... :)

Review: The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter

Ebook, 275 pages

Published July 31, 2012 by Harlequin Teen
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Buy the Book:  Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

For millennia we've caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus. Now Aimée Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.

Calliope/Hera represented constancy and yet had a husband who never matched her faithfulness....

Ava/Aphrodite was the goddess of love and yet commitment was a totally different deal....

Persephone was urged to marry one man, yet longed for another....

James/Hermes loved to make trouble for others-but never knew true loss before....

Henry/Hades's solitary existence had grown too wearisome to continue. But meeting Kate Winters gave him a new hope...

     The Goddess series has been one of my favorites from the get-go. I love the author's perspective on the mythology and this installment took it a whole new level. It is a wonderful experience to see how the characters are developed in the series, let alone this opportunity to peer into the back story.

     The reader gets to know the ENTIRE set of events that eventually lead up to the first book in the series. There is so much information in each story that it is both a blessing and hindrance. It is an amazing ride learning all the little details in the gods and goddesses lives that have made them as they are to us today. The reader gets to experience the highs and lows, especially the betrayals, and gain a full perspective on the characters. A couple I could even say it changed my views on them because I understood why they have the personality that they do. However, it can be an overload of info at times and I did end up flipping through a few pages to get to the next section or story. Other than that, this is an excellent addition the series and should definitely be on your shelves!

Review: Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Paperback, 371 pages

Published August 7th 2012 by St. Martin's Press
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

Here were meet Zoe. Typical, standard daughter until she starts to glitch, or disengage from the source that the community uses to control their members. Now, at first glance this premise is awesome. Love the idea and the continuing concepts that are spread throughout the book. However, it is Zoe herself that drags it down. She's never had to be strong, think on her own, or simply accept things that she cannot control. It takes some very hard lessons for her to learn some of these things. Even then she does not do them well, but I think she has very strong potential from just what I have seen so far.. Especially after she learns of glitchers' special talents and what can be done with them. Adrian was by far my favorite character. I liked him instantly for some reason and it broke my heart when he gained and almost simultaneously lost Zoe in so many ways. Teenage love story short, I'm rooting for him all the way!  
I am hoping that the story will pick up going at the same pace as this one ended. It is because this one started out extremely slow. You have to learn along with Zoe through her experiences. As I said before, this is a vicious cycle to have to deal with. After she starts getting her feet on the ground though the story starts to fly by and you are finished before you know it. This one is definitely a keeper and I can't wait to see where it goes next!

Review: Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

ebook, 304 pages

Published June 1st 2012 by Harlequin Teen
Source: NetGalley, ARC
Buy the book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha—that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me…something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing—and I don't know if I can get it back.

Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me….

 I could not wait to see how Rowen wrapped a story around her take on the angel and demon concepts. It is really a different look compared to many others that are on the market right now. The story and plot fall into place beautifully. They have just enough of action, romance, and intrigue to keep you interested and the story flowing. There were a couple of things that seemed odd or inconsistent at times, but they are too spoilery to put on here. Trust me, you'll recognize what I am talking about when you read it. It would also be nice if locations were shaken up some. It seemed everything happened in one or two spots. Otherwise, the characters follow a somewhat predictable path, but the twists that Rowen puts on the angel/demon lore make it worth while. It is one of those books that blurs the lines significantly and makes you wonder if you have ever been told the truth about them before...I love this way of thinking and writing in a book.

The characters were hit or miss with me. Sam is pretty straight up front: ordinary girl that turns extraordinary. There were times I couldn't completely connect with her, but for the most part she is an enjoyable character. I did get really tired of her being called "special." For the love of all that is holy, calm that down please... Bishop is a great character and love interest, but he and Sam's relationship seems so typical and contrived in an otherwise distinctive story. He needs to be brought up a notch or two in the bravery part as well. If this would happen I think I could fall for him on another level. However, Kraven was definitely my fav character in this book. He's snarky yet serious and has wonderful good and bad sides that make you want to hug him one minute and slap him the next. Rowen, if anything slows down in the story just insert one or two lines from him and it will make the scene! I hope that we can learn more about the characters in the next book. It feels like we just got the basics in this one. I think it would greatly help both with connecting with them and totally immersing the reader into this awesome story.

Review: Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published June 12th 2012 by EgmontUSA
Source: ARC, NetGalley

Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.

Revisiting McEntire's world with Emerson was as eventful as always. However, this time we get to see it from Kaleb's point of view. Fortunately, there is a lot personality background work done this time around and it illuminates the inner workings of the characters. This is especially true for Kaleb and helped me understand what exactly made him the playboy that he is. It also means that there is more Lily this time around and you are in for a ride with her! I loved having more interactions with her this time. Em and Michael are back with their plights and sarcasm, but with everything coming from Kaleb's view they have whole new dimensions as well.
There is so much additional information in this installment. I believe McEntire must have waived holy water over the plot to keep it from completely bogging down. Whatever she did, it worked pretty well. Rips and secrets are deeply dug into and lays a definite path for the next book. I loved the details and thought-provoking aspects of the rips this time. I do wish that the book could have picked up the pace a little more though. It still carries a great steady pace, but it feels like it was just a notch below that of Hourglass. Regardless, the book is still a solid folllow-up and journey that you won't want to miss.

Review: Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz

 Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz
Paperback, 371 pages
Published March 27th 2012 by Harlequin Teen
Source: Netgalley, ARC
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

After breaking a centuries-old romantic curse, Emma Connor is (almost) glad to get back to normal problems. Although…it's not easy dealing with the jealous cliques and gossip that rule her exclusive Upper East Side prep, even for a seventeen-year-old newbie witch. Having the most-wanted boy in school as her eternal soul mate sure helps ease the pain—especially since wealthy, rocker-hot Brendan Salinger is very good at staying irresistibly close….But something dark and hungry is using Emma's and Brendan's deepest fears to reveal damaging secrets and destroy their trust in each other. And Emma's crash course in überspells may not be enough to keep them safe…or to stop an inhuman force bent on making their unsuspected power its own.

Shultz's writing is absolutely some of my favorite. The quirks and personalities she gives her characters are very easy for me to relate to and follow. I really liked the growth in the main characters this time, especially Angelique. I'm happy that Emma advances and stays true to herself, but Angelique is definitely my favorite character in these books. I loved the fact that she now has bigger role in the grand scheme of things. Brendan, Brendan...He is still his wonderful self in this installment, but we get to learn more about him and why he is the way he is. Unfortunately, some things come up and it makes him even more protective and annoyingly broody. However, I am really glad they progressed in their relationship...get ready for some steamy scenes in this one! I liked the adversary a lot better this time. Instead of the sniveling fool we had before there is someone a little more worthy of battling this time. Overall, there was good character development this time, but there were a few things that were over the top.

The plot is both good and bad this time around. It is the book's greatest savior from over the top personality aspects, but is also its biggest demon for several reasons. The first is its predictability. If you pay any attention at all you will catch the not so subtle hints early on of what is to come and who is going to do it. Another aspect that really irritated me was the languishing love and sacrificing for each other. This is essential to the story I know, but it really went overboard and got old quickly. It is a good thing that these aspects were wrapped in a series of events that kept me turning the page. The action is kicked up a notch and the pitfalls keep coming. While it has its draw backs, Shultz's second installment will leave you satisfied and eager to see what is in store for next time.

 

Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

Paperback, 341 pages

Published June 21st 2011 by Harlequin Teen
Source: Purchased
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight. But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

 The first thing you will love about this book are the characters. Emma is an awesome, sarcastic character that I easily relate to. Her snide look at things in life is hilarious and I found myself laughing several times at her antics. Then she meets Brendan...and their meeting is pretty stereotypical of course, love at first sight. However, there is an interesting twist to this romance. Instead of the female bringing the issues into the relationship, it is the male. Brendan brings his family's past into them mix and it pretty much blows up from there. Angelique is the glue that holds this book together. Her distinctive style  and personality single-handedly keeps an excellent focus on what needs to be done. Then she uses her own methods of fixing it... Love it, I want to see more of her!
On top of this, school is absolutely miserable for everyone. Anthony and his little followers do not discriminate with who they torture, they simply do it to all. He is a good "evil, crazy" bad guy, but even after the final scene I feel like it all could have been umped up a lot more.The book keeps a steady pace of events and should keep your interest till the end. The grand finale was ok, but it could have been better. The interesting turn of events there had me confused at first. After a quick re-read I think it worked out the best it could have with all things considered. I would definitely recommend this book to others, it is completely worth it.