Review: The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

The Dark Divine, first in the dark Divine series by Bree Despain, was captivating and charming. A slightly different twist on werewolf lore with a wholesome spin was pure delight to read. With amazing characters, mystery, and romance this novel had a little of everything to appeal to a broad range of readers.

From the beginning you have an idea of the supernatural forces involved but like most great movie tactics the drama is in the reveal, and Despain showed a wonderfully mastery of suspense. However, in the interim you are given characters who seem to jump off the page, pulling you in to their world.

Despain also draws you in with her wonderful writing style giving great attention to tones and details. I truly enjoyed how she used her abilities to create  world that swims up around you, drawing you in and making you a part of it.

Honestly, my only qualm with this book was the demise of a "side" character that goes unseen. However, Despain pays wonderful respects to this character whom I was really hoping to see develop further in later novels.

All in all, this was a great debut novel by an author I am sure we will see more from. I cannot wait to pick up the next installment and see what lays in store for these wonderful characters.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars

Review: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder, debut novel by Kimberly Derting, is a can't miss read that keeps you engrossed to the last moment!

From the onset you are pulled in to the world that Derting creates, the mystery drawing you in as our main character discovers her first body as a small child. From this initial meeting we are drawn to her and her strange abilities. Truly Derting's characterization is wonderful as you are sucked into this dangerous high school world.

But, its truly the plot that keeps you coming back. From budding romance to horrific crime scenes, this book has it all. Miraculously, n my opinion, without out being dark or depressing which was my initial concern when reading of Violet's strange abilities.

Highly recommend this novel as a great addition to those summer reading lists! I will definitely be coming back for the next gripping installment!

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars!

Review: Dark Souls by Paula Morris

Dark Souls

Author: Paula Morris

Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN: 054525132X

Purchase Information:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository

*Novel provided by the publisher for a honest review

Dark Souls by Paula Morris is yet another in a long line of paranormal romance novels geared towards young adult readers in a sea of eerily romantic tales. Honestly, I didn’t hold out a lot of expectations for it simply because this is at times becoming something of a cookie cutter genre. But, that said, I have to admit I was quite impressed upon first glance by the high quality of writing and description that Morris puts in to her opening pages. In truth, it was this that really sparked my interest and made me eager to start reading more. In the end, I found this to be a great read with some truly engaging characters and an atmosphere that was eerie wholly dimensional. So, if you are looking for a ghostly romance to read this Halloween, I eagerly endorse this novel as being worthwhile.


To begin, the characters are wonderful. From the beginning of the story we are drawn in to the tragic past of the main character Miranda and the eerie talent she comes to possess. She’s withdrawn with some very deep emotional issues that are nicely expressed making her something of a complex yet accessible character. Enter Nick, a charismatic and mysterious boy who captivates her interest, and I must admit, my own. From the moment he appeared I wanted to know more. Also worth mentioning was the family dynamic, which I really loved. It was nice seeing concerned, involved parents that were attentive and caring. They were very much present within the story, something that you don’t often see, wanting to spend time with their children exploring a new city. So many novels simply gloss over this dynamic making for absentee families, which usually works for the story, but always leaves a very unbelievable family connection that always somehow disappoints. I can definitely say I applaud Morris for being able to create a world around a functional family showing that it can be done!

The world building is first rate with lots of history and atmosphere thrown in to make the locale come to life. I was enthralled by York’s history and all of the ghostly lore which couldn’t have been more appropriate for this tale. It also really lent itself to the ever unfolding twists and turns that the novel takes as well as the ensnaring mystery that lies at the heart of the story. Truly, I am all about the atmosphere, and Morris really delivered with surprising attention to detail and wonderfully vivid imagery.

The writing itself was really quite good. The narrative flowed flawlessly making this an easy quick read that drew you in to the characters’ lives and the chilly streets of York. At times, I will say that the quality dropped a bit, making for a few rough patches where the pace lagged. As a whole, however, I found this to be a read that kids and adults alike can enjoy. I should also mention, this novel is fully young adult friendly.

Overall, this is good read perfect for Halloween, especially if you need something quick and interesting to pass a rainy day!

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars

Review: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl

Author: Eoin Colfer

Publisher: Hyperion

Series: Artemis Fowl, Book 1

ISBN: 9781423132172

Purchase Information:
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*Novel provided by the publisher via NetGalley

For more information please visit Eoin Colfer's website.

Artemis Fowl should never have kidnapped the fairy. Instead of a pleasant little bedtime story creature, this sprite turned out to be an unholy terror. All of Artemis's genius for crime was challenged by this irritating hazel-eyed little elf. It requires the entire novel to get things back under control.

Artemis Fowl by Eoine Colfer is an oldie, but a goodie and the first in the Artemis Fowl series. Geared towards children and young adults, this novel is insanely fun, masterfully clever and able to capture the whimsy of children and the attention of older readers. With a great cast of a characters this novel manages to be a quick read that is witty and action packed ensuring that you'll be wanting to return to this colorful world again and again!

The world development was wonderfully done spanning both the mortal and the fairy realm. Each side is cleverly written with great details and flourishes creating a fun atmosphere that is mildly complex leaving a lot of territory to be explored throughout the series. As this is a children's series, it's not all that deep, mainly only going in to details that pertain to the story, but there is a lot hinted at showing that Colfer has a great depth and understanding of the world in which he's writing about. It goes without saying that Colfer had some great ideas about what was to come and those small hints that he drops throughout definitely makes you want to continue deeper into these two very dissimilar cultures.

The characters themselves were quite interesting and for lack of a better word colorful. They are witty, intelligent and have a sense of humor that is subtly adult without being too outrageous for younger readers. In fact, I found a lot of moments that I surprised about and quite frankly pleased to see showing that Colfer tried to be accessible to readers of a ll ages. Fowl and Butler, however, were my favorites and their connection was very well developed creating an interesting dynamic of trust, loyalty and love that wasn't like anything that I'd really seen before. In truth, while Butler may be Fowl's man servant and body guard, there is a very definite sense of family and trust that goes beyond anything that I've known. But equally amusing are the fairies, from the over eager Holly Short to her fuming boss to the hilarious Mulch Diggums, there is never a shortage of wild and wacky nonsense going on, despite being told in a very serious manner.

The writing was amazing, far superior to most novels written for younger readers. Nothing is dumbed down, but instead approached in a way that was intelligent and clever with great wit and action. The pace is great with lots of action happening within a short amount of time and tempered with just the right amount of comedic flair. In truth, I can see this being a movie-one that I would very definitely go and see-because of the simple fact that it's such great fun! Every creature, every step of the story is intricately delved in to creating a wonderful three dimensional experience which only makes me more eager to search out the next installment to this series.

In the end, this is a wonderful read for children and adults alike. Smart and fun, there is a little something for everyone to enjoy creating a series that is light yet has substance. If you haven't taken the time to finally sit down and read this novel, I highly suggest you do. It's worth it!

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars

Review: The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen

The Vampire Stalker
Author: Allison van Diepen
Publisher: Point
ISBN: 0545283752
Purchase Information:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

*Novel provided by the publisher for a honest review

For more information please visit Allison van Diepen's website.

What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.

The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen is one of those novels that instantly hooks you before you even open the novel with the simple appealing question of what if your favorite character, the one that you can't seem to get out of your head, was real? Just think of the recent Twilight insanity and you can certainly understand why this novel is appealing as a similarly popular vampire series called 'Otherworld' spills into one fan girl's life. Of course, while the premise is wonderfully unique and certainly quite appealing and fun, there was some lack luster plotting that did leave me hanging bit. However, this was an enjoyable novel and I really loved this fun and romantic tale that's perfect for tweens!

The world building is adequate creating two variations of Chicago, one stuck in the 1920's and terrorized by vampires while the other variation is the modern city of this world. While neither is really gone in to in great detail, it's easy to accept the world as we know it, however, I would have loved to know more about Alexander's home of Otherworld Chicago, a world in which the heroine Amy is intimately knowledgeable of through the books of Elizabeth Howard. But, it seemed like little information is ever really given to the reader leaving a vast blind spot in which we are only given the most basic of information. It seemed really sad considering I was eager to learn more of a world inhabited by vampires in which the humans live their lives by day and stay safely locked away throughout the night as well as getting to know more about Vampire Stalkers, or rather hunters, who fight against these monstrous creatures. But, not only was I interested in this aspect, but in the idea that there is a social structure among the vampires as well with leadership and I'm guessing some form of agenda. There was also mention of a peace treaty between humans and vampires, something else that I found intriguing. However, we never get to learn anything about this. Instead, it's more just left out there, hanging.

The characters, in a way, were much the same. While Amy and Alexander are nicely developed characters, characters that I rather liked, it felt like there was something of a vacuum in which these are the only two that we are really exposed to. Amy herself is quite likable and relatable to readers. She's the one who stands in line all day to receive a copy of the latest book from her favorite series, writes fan fiction, and talks online with other fans, and has in depth conversations about the series with her friends. In ways, she's similar to all of us, eager to find out what happens next in our favorite fandoms and has an invested interest in our favorite character's lives. When she meets Alexander she is understandably suspicious, but based on her vast knowledge of his life in Otherworld, she quickly comes to believe his story. Alexander is something of a rigid character with old fashioned values. He believes his destiny is tied up with Vigo, the vampire who murdered his family, the vampire who he's been hunting for the better part of his life. Alexander, while interesting, I felt came off as only two dimensional, not fully realized like Amy was. We never really know a lot about him or his history, just glimpses from the book that chronicles his life. I was really saddened to never get to see much of his personality, but again, a lot of this is due to the way in which he was raised in a world that still encouraged restrained emotions. But, it just felt like when he was in the scene, there was very little 'personal' or 'emotional' appeal. Of course this could be said throughout the story as well.

The romance, however, was actually pretty nicely done. You could really feel the tension mounting between Alexander and Amy and I really loved seeing Amy's vulnerability when it came to him. The way she sees herself is understandable with the whole 'there's no way someone like him could like someone like me' thing. I actually found this rather endearing because she never really lets these emotions take over. Instead, she goes about helping Alexander and trying to save her sister putting her feelings about him on the back burner. When he requites her feelings, it's actually quite sweet and you start really rooting for these two, despite the looming knowledge that he will have to return to his world soon. Overall, it's a sweet, chaste relationship that I enjoyed watching develop and grow.

What I really felt was lacking however, was the plotting. I felt like there was so much unused potential that was over looked creating the possibility of some great action. But, the action seemed to never come and the threat Vigo presented was really quite lack luster. In fact, I felt like most of the story was build up. Build up of the relationship between Amy and Alexander and build up of the threat that Vigo presents, however, only one aspect really came to satisfactory end. In truth, I was more intrigued by the world of Otherworld then I was by the danger lurking in our own. Then there was the lack of emotion appeal. It seemed like nothing save a bit of romance every really developed despite the perfect atmosphere for suspense and tension.

Overall, I did enjoy the story though despite the fact that I would have liked to see far more development then we got. The characters were interesting and the plot was unique and original. This is really quite a fast read, so it's easy to overlook some of the lacking elements leaving this a fun read. I think tweens will find this the most enjoyable, but there are some cute aspects that will appeal to the older crowds looking for some light reading.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars

Review + Giveaway [CLOSED]: 44 by Jools Sinclair

44
Author: Jools Sinclair
Publisher: You Come Too Publishing
ISBN: 0012242837
Purchase Information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

*Novel provided by the author via The Bookish Snob Promotions

For more information please visit Jools Sinclair's website.

Last year after falling through the ice, seventeen-year-old Abby Craig woke up from death.

But she woke into a world she barely recognizes. She can’t see colors, memories have been erased, and her friends all hate her. And then there’s Jesse, who she loves, but who refuses to forgive her the one mistake she made long ago.

Just when she thinks it can’t get any worse, the visions begin. In them, she sees a faceless serial killer roaming the streets. While the police believe that there have been a lot of accidents in town lately, Abby knows differently. And she soon realizes that it’s up to her to find him.

But to stop him, she’ll have to confront more than just the killer. She’ll have to face something else that was lost in those dark waters. The truth.

In the tradition of Amanda Hocking, 44 is a thrilling paranormal romance mystery novel that keeps readers at the edge of their seats and glued to the very end. The ending will haunt you forever.

44 by Jools Sinclair is a wonderful paranormal mystery for young adults with all the suspense and plotting one would expect in an adult thriller. Wonderfully planned out with some nice twists and turns and endearing characters that are sympathetic and endearing, this novella may be short, but there is no lack in quality!

The lead character, Abby is a wonderfully adult character that was masterfully developed with great emotions and thoughts. She's somewhat independent, struggling to find herself and adjust to her 'new life' after a fatal accident in which she was finally revived some forty-four minutes later. Though she suffers through moments of depression and struggles with her frustration at no longer being able to lead the life she once did, she is seen as an outcast among her peers, but instead of sulking she mourns her old life and moves on finding her place on the fringes. And close at hand is her best friend and love interest Jesse, a character that I really loved. His relationship with Abby is dynamic and organic with great turmoil and tension that is perfectly relatable to young and old readers alike. Throughout the tension mounts, but it is never questionable the devotion that both characters have to one another and this close knit bond is marvelous to see change over the course of the story. But, more impressive is the relationship between Abby and her older sister Kate. No doubt Kate has a tough task raising her younger sister and then coping with all the repercussions of her near fatal accident. When these mysterious visions of a serial killer start effecting her little sister I was really impressed that she so easily believed her. Though, more important was the connection between these two. There's something of a protective quality about their relationship showing a strong familial bond, as well as a wonderful closeness where each fully divulges to the other. Kate never sees Abby as being a child and accepts her as an adult and never considers her sister a burden which is a unique attribute that I especially enjoyed reading.

The world was also wonderfully created with a great atmosphere that was at once somewhat disconnected while being fully realized. This seemed to perfectly mirror Abby's character showing a world where things are far from the normal life of a teenager. But, at the same time, I really loved the diversity ranging from the crime hunting side where Abby delves in to her visions to catch a killer with her sister and still maintain a realistic high schooler appeal of a young lady trying to find her place and herself. The locale was nicely described as well, creating a nice backdrop for the tension and journey of the story.

Sinclair also did a marvelous job with the storyline and still maintaining a lot of 'character' based content in parallel to the varying directions of the plot line. There's a great mystery surrounding the mysterious serial killer, the visions that Abby experiences and the truth surrounding her accident which she remembers very little about. Everything really ties together very nicely and there are several twists along the way eliciting a lot of wonderful emotions making this something of a roller coaster, especially towards the end. But, after reading the story from beginning to end, I did end up with a few little niggling issues that seem to conflict with how the story ends. I know I'm leaving this extremely vague, but to go in to any amount of detail will completely spoil the ending. What I am willing to say is that while I found a few of the occurrences in hindsight to be odd or completely off, it doesn't change my opinion of the story as a whole.

In the end, this was a great, short read that I really enjoyed. There were some great characters that were able to bring forth a lot of emotion from the reader. Definitely a great read and I will be checking out this author again in the future!

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars

Giveaway:

In honor of Jools Sinclair's blog tour she's giving one lucky commenter an eBook copy of her novella '44'. To enter simply leave a comment on this post with a valid email address where you can be reached should you win. For more rules please see below.

Rules:

-Be a GFC Follower

-Leave a comment with your email address

-Contest ends June 1, 2011

Be sure to visit the next stop on this blog tour at:

The Wormhole

Review: Turned by Morgan Rice

Turned
Author: Morgan Rice
Series: The Vampire Journals, Book 1
ISBN: 0012120243
Purchase Information:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

*Novel provided by the author for a honest review

For more information please visit Morgan Rice's website.

Eighteen year old Caitlin Paine finds herself uprooted from her nice suburb and forced to attend a dangerous New York City high school when her Mom moves again. The one ray of light in her new surroundings is Jonah, a new classmate who takes an instant liking to her.

But before their romance can blossom, Caitlin suddenly finds herself changing. She is overcome by a superhuman strength, a sensitivity to light, a desire to feed--by feelings she does not understand. She seeks answers to what’s happening to her, and her cravings lead her to the wrong place at the wrong time. Her eyes are opened to a hidden world, right beneath her feet, thriving underground in New York City. She finds herself caught between two dangerous covens, right in the middle of a vampire war.

It is at this moment that Caitlin meets Caleb, a mysterious and powerful vampire who rescues her from the dark forces. He needs her to help lead him to the legendary lost artifact. And she needs him for answers, and for protection. Together, they will need to answer one crucial question: who was her real father?

But Caitlin finds herself caught between two men as something else arises between them: a forbidden love. A love between the races that will risk both of their lives, and will force them to decide whether to risk it all for each other.

Turned is the debut novella in Morgan Rice's young adult series, The Vampire Journals. Nicely written and an extremely fast read, this is good start to a new vampire series sure to be a hit with readers who are looking for a light, yet entertaining story.

Rice does a great job of pulling you into the story from the beginning, utilizing a great descriptive quality that transcends the mere painting of the setting. Instead, Rice is able to capture the feeling of the atmosphere, in this case the public high school in which Caitlin is forced to attend, and explore the emotions and tension that become perfectly evident, even shared by the reader. This is the aspect that initially drew me into the story because the 'feeling' that a place is able to evoke is often overlooked or only briefly nodded at. In this case, it was as if you standing right there with Caitlin experiencing the first day in a new school that may as well have been a new planet. But, while this is the thing that I loved most, it quickly vanished. It was as if Rice shifted gears without bothering to use the clutch because seemingly all of a sudden her focus is on building a relationship between Caitlin and Jonah.

This is really the thing that bothered me the most within this novella because while she does a wonderful job of focusing on these individual aspects, she was seemingly unable to utilize them all at once. Honestly, if she could have continuously developed all of these aspects - romance, action, world building, characterization- at once, then this would have been a really, really amazing novella. Instead, the shifting focus only served to make this world very two dimensional as we are only able to see one thing at a time explored.

Of course, that's not to say that the individual aspects aren't done well. In fact, Rice does a great job of building her elements. For instance, the characterization. Caitlin is an interesting character who's life is forever changing. The only constant in her life seems to be that nothing is ever the same. She's very introverted, drawn into her own thoughts and seems to keep mostly to herself. When she meets Jonah she feels an almost instantaneous connection seeing another lonely soul. But, those aren't the only changes that she has to cope with as a sudden fierce rage seems to overtake her in moments of stress as well as an undefinable hunger that border on debilitating. While Caitlin's character is nicely developed, I felt like the supporting ones were fairly one dimensional with their personalities and relationship to Caitlin feeling very rushed and incomplete. This is something that I think really became evident when Rice started building the relationships and romances within the story.

Mostly, the romance was okay, and felt sort of normal for a teenage love. Everything feels very big and with a character that is sort of naive when it comes to forming bonds with people I can sort of see how the romance within this story fits. However, it felt way too naive for my liking. The connection between Jonah and Caitlin was nice, and truly, I think with a bit more development could have felt completely natural. But, what we get is very little interaction between the two leaving me feeling like Caitlin's feelings for him are way too premature. She does actually admit that thought to herself a time or two, but it doesn't seem to dissuade her. But, it wasn't the relationship between these two teenagers that bothered me, instead it was the one that seemed to come out of nowhere with Caleb. Now that was just plain ludicrous. Within an hour of knowing him, they're in love. Seriously, the 'L' word was being thrown around within a few pages. And while I liked Caleb's character well enough, I think this is something that Rice needs to work on, her development. Relationships just don't spring out of nothing and I really think that's what Rice tried to accomplish here.

Likewise, I think that the villains of the story were far to cartoon-ish for my liking. I mean, I think it says it all right in the different coven's names with White and Black there in the forefront. This makes the plot seems a little more campy, especially when the prophecy of 'The One' is brought into play with the introduction of a mysterious sword that supposedly Caitlin will be able to find. Again, I think this needed a bit more development as did such elements as the vampire social order, the segregation of the covens, and more information regarding the prophecy and Caitlin's half-breed roots. While I'm sure more of this will be explored in book 2, the entire point of a first installment is to help build the foundation for the world in which the series will take place.

Overall, this was a good read that kept me interested. While there is a lot that I would like to see improved, I think that this was a good solid start with a lot of room for Rice to explore in future novels. I would definitely be interested to know what happens with Caitlin in the future and will definitely be reading more novellas within this series.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 Scars

Review: Department 19 by Will Hill

Department 19
Author: Will Hill
Publisher: Razorbill
Series: Department 19, Book 1
ISBN: 1595144064
Purchase Information:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depsotiory

*Novel provided by the publisher via Library Thing Early Reviewers

For more information please visit Will Hill's website.

Jamie Carpenter's life will never be the same. His father is dead, his mother is missing, and he was just rescued by an enormous man named Frankenstein. Jamie is brought to Department 19, where he is pulled into a secret organization responsible for policing the supernatural, founded more than a century ago by Abraham Van Helsing and the other survivors of Dracula. Aided by Frankenstein's monster, a beautiful vampire girl with her own agenda, and the members of the agency, Jamie must attempt to save his mother from a terrifyingly powerful vampire.

Department 19 takes us through history, across Europe, and beyond—from the cobbled streets of Victorian London to prohibition-era New York, from the icy wastes of Arctic Russia to the treacherous mountains of Transylvania. Part modern thriller, part classic horror, it's packed with mystery, mayhem, and a level of suspense that makes a Darren Shan novel look like a romantic comedy.

Department Nineteen, the debut in a wonderful series by Will Hill, has had a lot of hype surrounding it, and if ever there was a book that justified all of that attention, then this is it! It has a little bit of something for everyone: romance, action, horror, and a world where Dracula isn't simply fiction, but actual history. From the amazing writing, to a masterfully developed world, I was captivated, finding myself reading every spare moment that I could find! Fans of Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series will love this supernatural twist filled with horror and adventure!

From the first page, this story is filled with action and lingering mystery creating a world that is diverse, complex and has a scope that I honestly didn't see coming. The highly original spin on the well known lore of such legendary creatures as Frankenstein and Dracula was fresh, pulling these fan favorites into a new generation. This created an interesting world that I constantly wanted to know more about with such wonderful and richly developed histories that I couldn't get enough of. The tone and atmosphere of this story were wonderfully pitched as well, pulling of a air of suspense, action, and horror that mingled perfectly together. In truth, I must admit that I sort of put off reading this novel because how can it possibly compare to the original classics, or the sense of horror that they entailed? Well, all of that worry was completely unjustified, because this novel perfectly captures all of the world development and tone that is comparable to Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley's, perfectly fitting the wonderful breadths of these unparalleled worlds!

That characterization was utterly amazing, with lovable characters that were engaging and diverse. Jamie is such a wonderfully strong character that reader's can easily sympathize with him due to the vast amount of hardships that he's had to endure. There's so much pain in his history, and yet, he doesn't allow himself to wallow in self pity. Instead, he uses it to his advantage as he strives to bring pride back to the name of Carpenter. And while there is a lot of hardships that he must endure as he struggles to find his kidnapped mother, he has some wonderful friends in his corner. Most notably, the monster Frankenstein. Never before has this monster held such appeal to me. He's wonderfully devoted and loyal, but there is the monstrous rage underlying the calm demeanor that he is most well known for. There is also a great complexity within his emotions that really appealed to me as well that I  really hadn't expected to see, which really made me love the dynamic and growing bond between him and the teenage Jamie. Also in Jamie's corner is the teenage vampire, Larissa. Never knowing what to expect from her, I found her timid relationship with Jamie endearing, perfectly capturing the shyness of first love. But, we also never know exactly where she stands due to her vampiric nature, but as the story progresses we come to find out the truth behind this mysterious and complex girl.

But, it isn't only the team of good guys that were so wonderfully explored, but past generations of Blacklight figures such as Van Helsing and other notable characters from Bram Stoker's famous Dracula. We get new rich histories as well as insights into the aftermath of the famous demise of Dracula at his castle, and the plague that was unleashed by his disappearance by his brothers Alexandru, Valentin, and Valeri. We also come to get some insight into these monstrous relations to the most famous vampire in history with each possessing a unique personality that I always enjoyed seeing explored. There is definitely little doubt as to the evil that these figures possess creating a wonderful sense of good and evil within the story. But, the mystery surrounding their nefarious plot is what really held me captive because we don't know until the end exactly what their overall goal truly is.

The writing style itself was fluid, and highly enjoyable. Truly, Hill utilizes mystery, suspense, action and horror to his advantage, never shying away from violence or horrific gory scenes. Instead, this novel unflinchingly captures the supernatural world that the original monsters emerged from. The plot line was masterfully developed with never ending action that really kept me engaged throughout. While the mystery surrounding the traitor within the Department was quickly discernible, this didn't detract from the story as there were so many other aspects that keeps the reader on their toes.

Overall, this is a marvelous beginning to what promises to be an epic series. I absolutely loved the characters, tone and plot as well the the utilization of some of my favorite monsters from literary history. With a little something for all readers, I think this is a great read for teenagers and adults alike and I look forward to reading more in Hill's second installment!

My Rating: 5 out 5 Scars

Advisory: Some graphic horror related violence

Review: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Sweetly
Author: Jackson Pearce
Publisher: Little, Brown
Series: Sisters Red, Book 2
ISBN: 1444900595
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Pre-Order Information:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

*Novel provided by Book It Forward ARC Tours

For more information please visit Jackson Pearce's website.

SWEETLY is a modernization of Hansel and Gretel and a companion book to SISTERS RED.

Twelve years ago, Gretchen, her twin sister, and her brother went looking for a witch in the forest. They found something. Maybe it was a witch, maybe a monster, they aren’t sure—they were running too fast to tell. Either way, Gretchen’s twin sister was never seen again.

Years later, after being thrown out of their house, Gretchen and Ansel find themselves in Live Oak, South Carolina, a place on the verge of becoming a ghost town. They move in with Sophia Kelly, a young and beautiful chocolatier owner who opens not only her home, but her heart to Gretchen and Ansel.

Yet the witch isn’t gone—it’s here, lurking in the forests of Live Oak, preying on Live Oak girls every year after Sophia Kelly’s infamous chocolate festival. But Gretchen is determined to stop running from witches in the forest, and start fighting back. Alongside Samuel Reynolds, a boy as quick with a gun as he is a sarcastic remark, Gretchen digs deeper into the mystery of not only what the witch is, but how it chooses its victims. Yet the further she investigates, the more she finds herself wondering who the real monster is, and if love can be as deadly as it is beautiful.

Sweetly is the second novel in the Sisters Red series by Jackson Pearce, a series that breathes new life and brings fairy tale lore into the modern world. In this case, the novel is a great re-imagining of the story of 'Hansel and Gretel' creating a dark and enthralling world that was at times gruesome and mysterious. Nicely written with interesting twists and turns, this was a fun read that is sure to appeal to any fan of fairy tale re-tellings.

Pearce's world building is amazing as the story starts off with a thrilling chase perfectly capturing the finer nuances of the original tale. This creates a wonderful melancholy tone that gives an almost oppressive atmosphere as the heat of the setting and the emotions both serve to weigh heavily on the characters. This atmosphere is a great breeding ground for mystery and suspense, and surprisingly an enticing romance that only adds to the building pace as the sinister aspects of the plot become clear. The descriptive quality of the writing also helps to create the world, from the wonderfully intoxicating smell of the Choclatier to the malevolent and claustrophobic feeling of the woods that surround Live Oak, a deliciously small town full of interesting and often cantankerous characters.

The characters, however, are what really caught my attention. I loved Gretchen. She's such an desolate character with a deep seeded desire to save others from suffering the soul wrenching loss that she and her family endured. But, because of the circumstances surrounding her twins disappearance she is very withdrawn, knowing that to share the truth about that day only serves to make her appear crazy. Her brother Ansel is also quite appealing, though he is more easily swayed to believe that what they saw as children was nothing more then an illusion. But, because of his love of his sister and need to protect and support her, he never questions her convictions and instead trusts her even above his own reservations. There was something about that stalwart devotion that really tugged at my heart. The shared love between them is so pure, and extremely evident as Gretchen watches the romance between Ansel and Sophia flourish with nothing but hope and enthusiasm for her brother's happiness. But, as Gretchen comes to discover all the secrets Sophia is hiding she quickly becomes worried about her brother's unflinching devotion to a woman who conceals so much about herself and her past.

And as the story progresses, Gretchen comes to realize that she hasn't escaped the horrific creatures that stole her sister as she discovers the alarming string of girls that have gone missing from the small town of Live Oak. But, feeling the need to confront her fears she treads into the threatening darkness of the forest only to come face to face with the nightmare that has haunted her since her youth. Saved by local 'madman' Samuel, who plays the part of the woodsman perfectly, she comes to discover that there is someone else who shares in her terrifying knowledge, the witch she has always feared is a werewolf, or rather the Fenris, does in fact exist and is responsible for the string disappearances. The romance that quickly blooms between these two unpredictable allies was definitely one of my favorite aspects of the novel as Samuel allows Gretchen to regain not only her strength and confidence, but herself as well.

There is also a wonderful sense of mystery and suspense throughout the novel that the author perfectly captured. With concise, clipped sentences the tone is nicely set capturing the essence and emotions of Gretchen. There is also a certain amount of distance that comes through perfectly mirroring the disassociated appeal of her emotions. As the story progresses so too does the evolution of the writing, turning from mildly apathetic to more engaged with more confident thoughts as Gretchen comes to choose a new destiny for herself choosing to no longer mirror the path of the missing. As the climax begins, there is a wonderful sense of action creating a thrilling ending that perfectly complimented the build up going on throughout the novel, answering all of the underlying questions that spanned the story, plaguing not only Gretchen but her brother as well. Truly, this was a delicious culmination that was no less satisfying then the title implies.

But, while there was a lot that I loved about this novel, there were still some things that held up the flow at times. For instance, the pace was a major factor for the first half of the novel as Gretchen's character flounders to create a new life for herself leaving her childhood fears behind. It isn't until she meets Samuel that she truly opens up, creating a character that is engaging and far more interesting. Also, there seems to be an odd mentality from Gretchen at times, as she has seen the horrific dangers that lurk in the woods, but seems determined to ignore it. Often times this makes her seem fairly naive in her choices. And finally, the lack of exploration into the supernatural realm of the Fenris sort of nagged at me. They just seem to appear with no explanation in a town that seems plagued by disappearances. It just really seemed odd that they could remain undetected in such a small town where only two people was aware of their presence.

Overall, this was a fun read that captured all the wonderful elements that made 'Hansel and Gretel' a classic. This is a wonderful world full of such great potential with a writer that definitely knows how to spin a yarn unlike any other creating a series that is as addictive as the confectionery treats present within this tasty tale. Definitely a great read for fans of fairy tale re-tellings, or for any fan of Dark YA that is perfect for a quick read that will keep you utterly engaged!

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Scars

Review: Shadow Walker by L.A. Banks

Shadow Walker
Author: L.A. Banks
Publisher: Createspace
Series: Neteru Academy, Book 1
ISBN: 1456537431
Purchase Information:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

*Novel provided by Book It Forward Arc Tours

For more information please visit L.A. Banks' website.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world following the Armageddon, in Shadow Walker, the teenage children of the world’s Guardians of the Light must learn to hone their extra-sensory talents to one day join in the battle with their parents.

While they are secreted away in the Temt Tchaas Academy, (aka Neteru Academy), these students must learn to fight evil as well as learn to resist the temptation of fighting with each other. Although these young people have super powers, they still struggle with the same dramas and insecurities like any other high school student – and just because their parents may be superhuman doesn’t mean their parents are perfect. Far from it. That only makes life more confusing, as peer pressure, budding romances, decisions about whether or not to snitch, or whether or not to use one’s supernatural gifts for personal gain must be sorted out.

In this coming of age story, Sarah Rivera and her twin brother, Alejandro, must figure out when to use their wings or fangs, how to get along with their compound siblings, how to fit in with others in a huge new school, and perhaps most importantly, how to pick their battles to always fight for what is right.

From the world of L.A. Banks’ popular world of the Vampire Hunter Legends, comes a new young adult series following in the adult versions footsteps. Shadow Walker, the debut novel in the Neteru Academy series is an imaginative and enthralling novel that foretells of the epic battle between Light and Dark, introducing the new breed of Guardians who will protect humanity. Told with truly captivating prose, this novel brought to life a world and cast of characters that were instantly endearing and one of a kind showing exactly why this author’s work has been so hugely successful.

The world building is initially what drew me in. While this was my first time stumbling into Banks’ writing, I was instantly drawn into the history and lore of the Vampire Huntress Legens series. Down to the smallest details, this world is brought to life with epic battles and fascinating creatures that haven’t been dreamt of since Harry Potter, and if ever there was a series capable of matching that particular franchise, this could quite possibly be it. The blending of mythologies and science was truly captivating as Banks describes a world left in chaos after the ascension of the Darkness. Everywhere danger may be lurking, which is only made more palpable by students going missing out of one of the most well guarded buildings left in all of the world. This sets a fast paced tone that propels the characters on a mission not only to save their fellow students, but the school as well.

The characters themselves were instantly identifiable, with a group dynamic that was wonderfully written which truly made this into a spectacular ensemble read. The group dynamics mirror the angst of the main characters which only serves to make the story more compelling as you root for the characters to come together and work out their growing differences. While all of the characters are highly developed and engaging, the story follows Sarah Rivera, a smart and compassionate protagonist who cares deeply for those around her. The daughter of famous warriors Demali and Carlos Rivera, she is thrust into the limelight to suffer through the embarrassment and inner pain of simply having to endure a place within their shadow after being prophesized to become one of the predominant warriors in the next apocalyptic battle. The feelings of inadequacy plague her as she endures being sent into the new environment of the academy which ultimately sets up a fount of emotions as she deals with feelings such as exclusion, lust, and self worth. Likewise, many of her compound siblings also suffer with the feelings of fitting in within a new environment as well as coming to terms with their own individuality outside of their accepted ‘familial’ group. Peer pressure and budding romance serve as only a few of the underlying messages the author tries to impart to readers, making this novel not only dramatic but relevant as the attributes of kindness and consideration are presented to the reader.

The romance development within the novel also deserves quite a bit of mention as well because there is no doubt that Banks’ knows how to write it. From almost the beginning chemistry is brought into play as Sarah is put in the position of experiencing her first feelings of desire for not only her compound brother Val, but for Wil, a friendly and encouraging ally in the social minefield of the Academy. With two amazing suitors that she feels strongly towards, Sarah is drawn into an angst ridden battle between her heart and soul as she tries to decide how to deal with her feelings towards the two equally alluring males in her life.

But, underlying all of this is a great sense of adventure in a world where nothing is ever truly as it seems. The masterfully created action scenes within were colorfully written making them vivid and quite visceral as the students and Guardians alike struggle to find the missing students. The surrounding mystery was full of some amazing twists that I never saw coming and some realizations that made encompassed the phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’. The steady buildup through out the novel is perfectly led into a quick but creative climax and left the world ripe for yet another round of drama within the next installment which I can’t wait to read!

Overall, this was a great heart warming novel that kept me enthralled with its imagery and world development. The characters were interesting and endearing and the romance was maddening. With so many things left to explore it can easily be surmised that the following novels will be equally if not more amazing then the first. Fans of urban fantasy, paranormal romance and young adult novels with a heavy focus on a character’s journey will absolutely love this!

My rating: 4 out of 5 Scars

Review: Savannah Grey by Cliff McNish

Savannah Grey

Author: Cliff McNish

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

ISBN: 0761370250

Release Date: April 1, 2011
Pre-Order Information:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

*ARC generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

For more information please visit Cliff McNish's website.

Savannah Grey needs to keep moving. She doesn't know why, but she can't let herself get tied down by too many people. It’s almost like she's being chased by something. And now something strange is happening with her neck—with her throat.

Then she meets Reece—a guy who seems to understand her needs. He even knows about her neck. The same thing is happening to him. It's as if their voices are becoming weapons, warming up for some kind of attack.

Nature has been preparing for battle with the universe's ultimate monster for millennia. The time to fight is almost here. The weapon is Savannah Grey.

When I started reading Savannah Grey by Cliff McNish I didn't exactly know what to expect. Truly it was the synopsis that grabbed me as it sounded original and interesting, something filled with paranormal aspects and romance. Two of my favorite things. And yet, it was also so much more then just your average paranormal YA adventure instead leaning more towards horror and suspense.

The premise itself is unique, a girl who has some sort of living weapon in her throat. At first she is afraid of it, and who wouldn't be? It takes control of her mouth trying to protect itself and anyone who comes near is in danger. This terrifies Savannah more then anything, making her feel more alone then ever. At least until she finds Reece. Apparently he suffers from the same problems, only due to a past tragedy his weapon is rendered mostly useless. This doesn't alter the feeling of acceptance and togetherness that Savannah feels as she comes to find that there really are monsters in the world. Monsters that are hunting her and that she will have to defeat to save those she loves.

Really, the monsters of the story sort of stole the spotlight for me. At first we are introduced to the Horror. A childlike creature with a unfettered vicious glee. Everything is simply a gruesome game to it as it stalks Savannah, discovering the power she has concealed within her for it's master, the Ocrassa. But, for me the Nyktomorph-a creature created by the Ocrassa to serve as it's guardian and protector-was the most intriguing. While the most dangerous of the two, the Nyktomorph has a highly developed intelligence able of telling the difference between right-and-wrong and good-and-evil. It desperately wants to be free of the Ocrassa's vile ways and wants to help Savannah defeat it. However, it's conditioning to serve prevents  it from outright betraying the Ocrassa. It's an interesting predicament and I loved the history given to illustrate the building hate it harbors for it's master. The Ocrassa itself is also quite interesting. An original monster that has lived on Earth for eons, ever evolving and killing. Seeing the world through its eyes shows why it is that nature would revolt against this creature, but the most interesting part of all is how it comes to battle Savannah. We are always given the impression that it is just a creature, not human, yet as the story progresses we come to find that it can inhabit a human making the danger to Savannah all the more dangerous as we discover that it's someone extremely close to her. The suspense here is masterfully used as it slowly becomes evident to the reader the true scope of the situation.

McNish has a real knack for developing the characters within the novel, especially considering how well he created the monsters and their histories, humanizing them for the reader. Likewise Savannah and Reece have a very fluid quality about them and the spark of romance between the two is nicely evoked. There's such a shy connection between them that I loved to watch develop from a sort of partnership and camaraderie into something more as the two try to protect one another from the dangers that surround them. It's so simple and sweet, giving a nice contrast to the suspense and horror of the novel and their situations. However, their romance is also quite sad in a way. With both of them housing these mysterious weapons they are unable to even kiss and share a true physical connection though they do find that they can hold hands etc., but it just makes this is bittersweet connection.

The only thing that I found truly odd was the lack of a parental figure to Savannah. While she is foster child, we only peripherally see her guardian. Given the obvious odd behavior and the dire discovery of her throat condition I would have expected a care giver to be more involved in her life. The only one with a true parent was Reece, but his relationship with his father was more reversed with him being the guardian of a ill parent. Even Nina's parent's are missing in action. I certainly would have expected Savannah to at least have fielded a call from the girl's mother after she disappears. This is something that I am not keen on in the YA genre and in this novel particularly I would have thought there would be more as it deals with surgery and a suppose health issue.

The overall style of the novel is quite lyrical with a steady rhythm to the writing that lulls the reader in. The voices of the characters are unique and likable and he has a masterful talent of building suspense. With lots of action and mystery the twists the author throws at the reader are well done. At the moment of these reveals, I could actually see the bigger picture coming together as little things snapped into place. Another aspect that I truly enjoyed was the great detail to which the author went to in his evolutionary tales of the Ocrassa's life. Every time he switched to the history of this monster and all the monsters for that matter, I was enthralled wanting to know more.

Savannah Grey is a wonderful breath of fresh air in a genre that is filled with repeating story lines. I was engrossed and thrilled throughout the novel and stayed up late into the night to finish it. With a wonderful writing style that at times bordered on creepy with it's lyrical depiction of horror and monsters, this tale is one to check out.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars

Review: Born At Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Born At Midnight
Author: C.C. Hunter
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Series: Shadow Falls, Book 1
ISBN: 0312624670
Release Dater: March 29, 2011
Pre-Order Information:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

*Novel provided by Book It Forwad Book Tours

For more information please visit C.C. Hunter's website.

Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams, Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Born at Midnight, the wonderful debut novel in C.C. Hunter's Shadow Falls series, was beyond addictive. Wonderfully written with a great cast of characters and an interesting plot, this is a must read for any lover of paranormal YA. An absolutely amazing novel that once you pick it up, you're hooked!

From the first page, I was engrossed in the characters. Kylie is an interesting protagonist and yet has a great vulnerability as she struggles to understand her life that seems to be crumbling  before her very eyes. But, not only does she have the stress of a disintegrating home life, her boyfriend broke up with her and now to add insult to injury, her parents are shipping her off to a summer camp for troubled teens. When she arrives she finds that on top of all the other drama in her life, she may not be as human as she thought. And yet, with all of this going on within her life, she's still a very giving and caring person eager to help her friends. And to pique the reader's interest further, add in some seriously alluring potential suitors that create an addictive love triangle as Kylie tries to sort out not only her feelings, but her life. And while Kylie herself may have been a major point of interest there are a whole host of characters who are just as well written and no less intriguing. As friendships are made, you are drawn farther into the world that Hunter created with characters that are amazingly tangible. They add perspective, humor and insight helping to guide Kylie throughout the story helping her to learn that being normal isn't everything. With great charisma, there isn't a character within the story that I didn't fall in love with. Truly, Hunter's ability to bring these characters to life was not only extremely captivating but immensely impressive as well.

Most notable for me, however, was the great romance that Hunter was able to create between the characters. While Kylie and Derek may be safe and not just a little heart warming, I found myself most intrigued by Lucas. As Kylie comes to understand the memories she has of Lucas from her past, we come to see him as an utterly mysterious, caring and yet wildly passionate person. The angst created as Kylie flounders in her own feelings towards the two boys is wonderfully engrossing. While most novels would come off as annoying at some point, I found myself connecting to Kylie's emotions as I fell for the characters as well. Add to this the wonderfully enticing question of who she will end up with, and you have the perfect recipe for a great page turner as you race to see what her choice will be.

And while the romance may definitely present itself as a great selling point, there are also a lot of other things going on within the novel as well. The mystery surrounding the camp at first presents a wonderfully engulfing mystery. While you know what is coming, Hunter's presentation really draws you into the story immediately as you wait for the ax to fall, so to speak. While we know that this is a supernatural novel with supernatural creatures, the suspense of this reveal was beyond mystifying. Seriously, I couldn't understand how she managed to draw me into a mystery that I already knew the answer to. And yet she easily did. But, once the camp reveal is made, there is yet another thrilling mystery raising the question of who is trying to get the camp shut down. With a camp full of every form of supernatural being known to man, the list of suspects are endless as everyone seems to have at least one skeleton in their closet.

Now that the amazing characterization and the great sense of mystery have been discussed, I have to mention the amazing atmosphere and world building that Hunter managed to achieve. Really, when you think that she can't make the book any better, she completes the circle with an impossibly realistic camp with not only a warm, inviting, if not impossible atmosphere, but a place that comes equipped with its own inherent ghost stories. In the end, Shadow Falls camp, is a setting that you feel as if you could literally step into. With a welcoming atmosphere ripe with the potential for future story lines and an amazing eclectic cast of characters capable of the most amazing feats, there is plenty of things to look forward to.

In the end, I just can't rave about this novel enough. I was so engrossed by it that I didn't want to put it down and when it ended not only did I want more, I found myself to be sad that I was actually through. This series if definitely a highly addictive, must read for any fan of the genre. With so much that I still want to gush about, let it suffice to sat that I can't wait for the next installment, Awake at Dawn available October 2011 or the prequel short story, Turned at Dark, available later this month.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Scars