Book Review: Wild Cards (Simone Elkeles)

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

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

So, for someone who loves Simone Elkeles' books, I must say that I was not so much as impressed as I am deeply disappointed. I expected Wild Cards to be truly original - and at some level, it was - but I found it a replica of Elkeles' previous book: Perfect Chemistry.

The similarity of the two books nearly drove me insane as I ended up getting my guesses nearly all right and though I hate to say that Wild Card was, quite simply, predictable. It followed the same love-hate layout that Simone Elkeles is known for executing very well. However, predictable as it was, this book did not fail in making me giggle with its cuteness.

Derek and Ashtyn had a weird relationship, and part of me was freaked out by it. See, Derek's father married Ashtyn's sister and somehow, even though it complicated things a bit, it appeared as though a link was present between the two characters, even if they did not know each other. One thing I have to say, I found it hard not remain angry at Ashtyn's father. Ashtyn, a kicker in their football team, is not supported by her dad, and usually it is them who push their sons to the limit when it comes to sports. Is it just because Ashtyn is a girl therefore her own father can be unsupportive of her love for football and lead the my-life-is-a-mess-so-leave-me-alone life?

Well what else can I say? Their first meeting immediately captured me. I loved it! It is definitely something to look out for and I am warning you now - it is funny and very very cute. Derek seems tough and bad-ass in some ways, ended up being expelled from his school because of the practical jokes he played. But I can't forget to mention how HOT Derek is. Even as I read the book, I couldn't stop thinking how easily I could fall for a book characters, so long as they were similar to Derek.

Ashtyn contrasts most female protagonists in the YA genre. Somehow I find that many girls appear as fragile, so the fact that Ashtyn was played football and seemed like a heroin, I was satisfied.

Wild Cards, was entertaining, very much so with its cuteness and its characters who were just plain adorable. It was an enjoyable and I have treasured reading it. The similarity between Wild Cards and Perfect Chemistry is quite obvious and is a total let-down, yet this book itself deserves credit for being well-written and unique.

Three Stars!

Book Review: Bad Rep (A. Meredith Walters)

"Who gives a damn about their reputation? Oh, that would be me! Especially since mine had gone straight to hell in the span of thirty minutes".

Maysie Ardin is soaking up the summer before her junior year of college, shopping, hanging by the pool and shopping some more. But when her black belt in spending lands her in trouble with her parents, she is forced to take a second job at a local bar to dig herself out of a deep financial pit.

She thought she’d be miserable. But then Maysie didn’t count on Jordan Levitt, the hot, pierced and tattooed, drum playing bartender who also happens to be very interested in her. And the feelings are totally mutual.

It had the makings of the perfect romantic set up. Boy meets girl. Boy likes girl. Boy has girlfriend? Okay, maybe not.

But attraction is a hard thing to ignore and soon Jordan and Maysie find themselves in the middle of a gossip induced firestorm. Maysie has to learn whether she can set aside her fear of public disapproval in order to be with the one she wants. Or will she let the opinions of others dictate her life and her heart?

As an avid reader of Romance and Young Adult, I wasn't quite sure which genre Bad Rep was supposed to belong to. On the one hand, the setting and characters are all college-based, so it would fit well with YA; on the other, it was too adult in some parts to be acceptably YA. Turns out that in the last couple of years when I was exclusively reading romances, a new genre has cropped up: New Adult. And New Adult is apparently what this novel is really about.

I am not impressed. Maybe I'm just too conventional, but I can't seem to reconcile both genres as well as others have. Funny enough I'm probably too old to relate to YA and since I'm a voracious romance reader who have just graduated from university, I should have been the quintessential New Adult lover, but no. I found it awkward and aloof - but maybe it's just this book, but what the heck, I'm also not impressed with the book itself.

First off, characters. Maysie is shallow, spineless, and insecure and totally contradictory. It frustrated me especially during the scenes where the whole campus practically bullies her - I don't begrudge her self-pity, but just when I thought she was going to grow a backbone and actually stand up for herself, she takes one step forward and two steps back. Urgh I wanted to rip my hair off! Why? WHYY? She switches from I'm-going-to-show-these-poeple-I'm-better-than-them to Oh-my-God-my-life-is-in-tatters-kill-me-now mentality. It's like yelling at someone who kicks you when you're down and then halfway through, backing away and apologising. What the hell? She misses every and all chance to clear her reputation until the very end of the book and by then I couldn't have cared less. I cannot understand her, cannot relate to her and cannot read her. The characterisation felt somewhat lacking, so despite the book being told exclusively in her point of view, she just doesn't leap off the page to me. Moreover, her dependance on Jordan is overemphasised and this has really cemented her weakness in my eyes. It could be that because we're all complex beings, our personalities are difficult to map out and the author is perhaps trying to pen that reflect that in Maysie's  inner thoughts - but I'm not really sure I can admire anyone so convoluted as our heroine. 

Now Jordan. I know, I know, everyone says he's hot; I get that he is physically attractive and okay, okay those darn piercings keep every.single.girl.around.him (totally realistic) in lust, he just wasn't drool-worthy enough for me (the standard, btw, is Bones from Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress Series). However, I must admit that Jordan is an all-around good guy (apart from the cheating part, which was terrible of him). He is kind, a true gentleman not only to Maysie but to the rest of the ladies around him. Despite their beginnings he is completely devoted to our heroine - sweet, romantic… an all-around good guy. Obviously readers view him through Maysie, which is tinted with infatuation, but his faults are portrayed clearly, establishing a balance in his characterisation. I probably liked the supporting characters best, Riley especially. I thought she came across more consistently and more rounded than our hero and heroine combined. Any chance of a Riley book, perhaps?

Infidelity is a central theme in this book and here we get to see the view point of the 'other woman'. Credits to the author for handling it really well in that the readers get to judge the act but not the person. Both our characters acted true to self and there was no brushing over of the repercussions of infidelity to all parties here. We see the regret, the remorse, the anger; the aftermath and the closure. It would have been easy to portray Olivia (Jordan's ex girlfriend) as someone who deserves to be cheated on, but A. Meredith Walters respected her characters enough that while was necessary to show why Jordan fell out of love for Olivia, she was not cast as a complete and utter villain. 

Can't say I wish I didn't read the book, but I probably won't revisit it again.

Two Stars

Book Review: Allies & Assassins (Justin Somper)

They killed his brother. Now they're coming for him. . .

As the second prince of Archenfield, Jared never expected to rule. But behind the walls of the castle is a dark and dangerous court where murder and intrigue are never far below the surface. 

Now his older brother is dead. The kingdom is his. And the target is on his back. Can he find the assassin before the assassin finds him?

This book has it all. I love love LOVE it! Justin Somper has come up with another beautifully written book packed with mystery and thrill to drive anyone crazy. Even the cover drew me in - it captivated me and continued to do so with the plot as I read through the book. Allies & Assassins had a gripping and intriguing plot that really kept me guessing all the way.

It follows the life of Jared, Prince of All Archenfield, as he tries to cope with the assassination of his brother and as he hunts down the person responsible. I liked Jared. He seemed like an innocent teenager suddenly brought into the all-adult world of politics and feud unprepared. Nonetheless, Jared has kept a strong personality as he tries to find his own self and his brother's assassin, although admittedly at times I found him to be easily manipulated. 

Asta is one of  the characters I adored. She was an incredibly strong woman and knew what she wanted; And exactly how to get it. She was an intuitive and a humble character who I looked forward to reading more about - she's always off either investigating or doing something reckless!

The dark secrets of ex-Prince Anders involving his love life played a major role in this book, something which I never actually thought would come up. I was ready for a thriller, the romance was a nice surprise! 

In Allies and Assassins, Justin Somper has created a world full of mystery, adventure, thrill, politics, family feud and romance! It has an intricate and unbelievably well-crafted plot that kept me at the edge of my seat. The mystery was especially too much for me to handle and had me pulling at my hair as my suspect list kept growing and changing all the time.

Allies & Assasins had all the components of a good book and had me in the first few pages with its twist and turns. I really don't have much to say except that this is a wonderful book. It's definitely a must read for all those mystery and adventure lovers out there!

Five Stars!

*A massive thank you to Atom Books for letting me have my hands on this fantastic book!

Book Review: The Naturals (Jennifer Lynn Barnes)

Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn’t realise is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides— especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own.

Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

I've read a few books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes before and most were pretty good, so for me, it didn't come as a surprise that I quite liked this one too. When I got hold of this book, my excitement could not - no matter how hard I tried - be contained; I simply wanted to be drawn in the world of the FBI and the Naturals. And I did.

Cassandra Hobbes - Cassie - is a Natural Profiler, able to distinguish what type of person you are with just one glance, kind of like a super power. I liked Cassie. She has kept a strong personality through most of the book and proved herself worthy to the rest of the team. At times, she played heroine and it suited her brave personality well. Her only weakness was the two guys at the base, Dean and Michael and it mostly irritated me - no matter how cute they were (and believe me, they were adorable) . So no matter how strong or brave Cassie can be, her shield falls apart whenever those two are around.

What I found creepy yet interesting was the serial killer's monologue, appearing every now and then before each chapter. Disturbing as it may sound, I quite like it. It was thrilling and a body is usually discovered a few page turns later. Jennifer Lynn Barnes provided the readers a detailed description of serial killers and their psychological state. I found it truly fascinating.

However, as much as I tried, there was something that I just something in the book I couldn't connect with. Whether it was the psychological thriller mixing with YA romance that didn't seem to fit or the way that only the second part of the book that was getting all the mystery in. Or maybe it's something else entirely. Whatever it is, it did not let me connect to the book as fully as I hoped it would.

This book had me asking questions all the way. I remained clueless as to who the serial killer was until the very end. The twist was just as awesome. So for those crime-teen novel fans out there: this book might be for you; there is enough dose of romance and mystery in The Naturals to get lost in.

Three Stars.

*Thank you to Quercus for sending us this cool review copy!

Book Review: Poison Heart (S.B. Hayes)

the moment Katy sees Genevieve's beautiful face staring at her from a window, her life will never be the same. Wherever Katy turns, Genevieve is there - at school, with Katy's friends, and worst of all, in Katy's hot new boyfriend's life.

But Genevieve has a menacing side, a dangerous side, a threatening side that she only reveals to Katy: I'm your worst nightmare.

When Genevieve's behaviour becomes increasingly twisted, Katy delves into the girl's past, with the help of her best friend Luke. Nothing prepares her for the dark truths that she discovers, or the new romance she finds along the way. Is Genevieve a troubled girl with a difficult childhood? Or is the truth unearthly and much more frightening?

Who is the real Genevieve?

What are her secrets?

Why is she determined to destroy Katy's life?

I had high expectations of this book. Not only was the cover truly captivating, but it also seemed that the story line was one that I would definitely like. Poison Heart was full of mysteries with a dose of thrill. I must say that although I have enjoyed majority of the book, it did not deliver what I though was its full potential.

Poison Heart immediately drew me in from the very beginning. The curiosity inside me definitely won as I ended up wanting to know more and more about the mysterious plot. S.B Hayes did well in providing this book plenty of deceit, lies and a heavy dose of mysteries and of course, evil.

I didn't feel, however, connected to the character at all. Katy turned out to be a very sneaky character and most of the lies and deceit came from her; she wasn't at all a character I admired. The book follows her life after the sudden appearance of Genevieve. Katy ended up being a total stalker and was very intent on finding out about Genevieve - this, I found incredibly creepy and dare I say, put me off a bit. Katy made promises she couldn't really keep, so she wasn't exactly a trustworthy character- far from it actually. The term "curiosity killed the cat" would be the closest to describe Katy as her overwhelming curious - not to mention judgmental - personality.

The character to look out for? Luke. So unexpectedly adorable and funny, you will most probably love him. I found him totally cute (I'm starting to sound like a fan girl!). He's character is different from Merlin who I found was too deep with his emotions. But the love triangle itself was truly amusing and quite cute.

Poison Heart definitely made me want to read it, right from the very start. I had high expectations, it had a good plot after all, but unfortunately it wasn't that amazing. I didn't exactly like Katy, she had a clouded judgement and I didn't admire her personality. It still had a solid plot and a generous dose of romance.

Three Stars

Book Review: Shooting Stars (Allison Rushby)

Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.

Shooting stars gave me an insight as to what the photography industry is like. It was a cute and interesting read with an unexpected twist - not one that I expected at all. At first, I saw not so keen in reading it, but curiosity got the better of me and thank god it did!

Jo, the main character is a paparazza with an advantage and the book goes on about the mission she is sent to do. I found 'Zo Jo' - as she is known in the business - a talkative character that goes on and on about a particular subject. And while it was perfectly fine in the beginning, soon, it became almost unbearable, but mind you, it did turn down a bit and it was her constant need to blabber on and on that made it possible for me to relate to her (I myself am quite chatty in person). Jo seems to be an independent character certainly capable of taking care of herself - with all the years of being a paparazza, that is. However, she seems so unsure about herself and what she wants to do that it made her seem weak as well as how she seemed so motivated by money and how she 'needs' it to pay for her photography class. One of the characters I really looked forward to come across in the book was Seth. Rude and nosy, I particularly liked him without knowing why, but I do have a feeling that it may be his funny character.

The plot twist is one I definitely loved! Sure, hints we dropped throughout the book and I may have thought it possible but it was still quite good. But there were some parts in the book where I found it was quite weak.

Shooting Stars might not have drawn me in at the beginning, but it certainly made up for it in the end. It wasn't at all 'fluffy' but instead was funny with a hint of cuteness. It is definitely an eye opener for the world of paparazzi and the stars. (If that is how it is?)

Three Stars

Book Review: Siren (Tricia Raybun)

Seventeen-year-old Vanessa Sands is afraid of everything--the dark, heights, the ocean--but her fearless older sister, Justine, has always been there to coach her through every challenge.  That is until Justine goes cliff diving one night near the family's vacation house in Winter Harbor, Maine, and her lifeless body washes up on shore the next day. 

Vanessa's parents want to work through the tragedy by returning to their everyday lives back in Boston, but Vanessa can't help feeling that her sister's death was more than an accident.  After discovering that Justine never applied to colleges, and that she was secretly in a relationship with longtime family friend Caleb Carmichael, Vanessa returns to Winter Harbor to seek some answers.

But when Vanessa learns that Caleb has been missing since Justine's death, she and Caleb's older brother, Simon, join forces to try to find him, and in the process, their childhood friendship blossoms into something more.  

Soon it's not just Vanessa who is afraid.  All of Winter Harbor is abuzz with anxiety when another body washes ashore, and panic sets in when the small town becomes home to a string of fatal, water-related accidents . . . in which all the victims are found grinning from ear to ear.  

As Vanessa and Simon probe further into the connections between Justine's death and the sudden rash of creepy drownings, Vanessa uncovers a secret that threatens her new romance, and that will change her life forever.

When I first read the blurb of the Siren, I didn't expect to like it at all. Don't get me wrong, I find the subject of Sirens in Greek Mythology incredibly fascinating. So I though I should give it a go. Nothing wrong in trying right? It ended up not too bad at all. And although I can't exactly say I love it - because there are some moments that I would rather rip the book in half - it wasn't at all a bad read.

The beginning of the book actually drew me in and her fear of multiple things really helped me notice the change in Vanessa, the protagonist, throughout the book, which I found necessary in order to find her sister and Tricia Rayburn did exceptionally well in finding a moment that determined that change by placing Simon in the mix. I love love love the contrast of personality between the two sisters which was incredibly vital to help establish why what happened to Justine happened. The close bonding Vanessa and Justine really played a massive part in why Vanessa decided to investigate the mysterious disappearance of her sister and not jut leave it all behind and move on - a very heroic action, I think.

I actually ended up liking the twists - or lack thereof - in the story and even though hints were dropped throughout the book, it's still a slam to your face to actually confirm your suspicions so while reading I muttered a few "oh that's why...". There are a few mysterious characters that raise the questions about who they are and what role they will play - but that is always soon resolved. So it's an obvious - but good plot. I mean, it's still pretty weak, anyone is capable of knowing who the "villain" is, if they paid close attention.

What I felt most annoyed about was actually at the beginning of the book. The family argument. It's not exactly the worst thing that could ever happen to Justine, so I still cannot get over the fact that she went cliff diving. And even after then, when I thought that nothing stupid should come afterwards, does Vanessa find out about Justine's little secrets and spend most of her time whining and complaining about why Justine never told her. While the regrets and misery played on one half of Vanessa's mind, the other was focused on her and Simon which truly exhausted my patience waiting for something to happen. I expected a lot of butterflies in the stomach with Siren, but it didn't deliver. I hated the fact that they knew they were attracted to each other but did not exactly talk a lot about their feelings, of course with the solving the mysteries and all, there wasn't really much time for that.

To be honest, I found the cover extremely unappealing  I know that most became interested in the book because the cover caught their eye, but it caught my eye for a completely different reason. And Not the good kind. What I expected from the book was totally different from what I got, instead of romance (lots of it) and mystery - there was a fair bit amount of it, the book presented a load of worries, regret and family drama. ugh. Fortunately, it still gave a good amount of suspicion.

Two Stars

Book Review: Everneath (Brodi Ashton)

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smouldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

What can I say? The cover? Captivating. The blurb? Awesome. Everneath had me in the first few pages and I could never let go. It was that good. The plot was unique and exciting from the beginning so I found myself always wanting to know more even until the end and with Ashton bringing the story of Hades and Persephone together with Orpheus and Eurydice to produce Everneath, it just became too much for me to contain my excitement throughout the whole book.

Everneath follows the character Nikki in her hopes of finding redemption among her family and friends after being taken to the Feed to - of course - feed the everlivings. Unlike most YA books, Everneath not only explores the relationship between Jack and Nikki but with her best friend, brother and father as well, which is why I like it so much.

How Ashton sometimes inserted a memory from the past within a chapter made me realize how empty Nikki was when she left the Feed, that even some of her memories were lost so I always end up looking forward to the walk down memory lane, this brings more of the Jack and Nikki love story and we see glimpses of their past together. Not only that, 'Nik' or 'Beks' - as she is sometimes called- is able to taste the emotions of others and this emphasizes the emptiness within her. So Nikki became one of my favourite characters, not just because I felt sorry for all her troubles, but because of her selflessness and it's because of her selflessness that made such a strong character in the book.

With Cole's offer of ruling the Everneath or end up in the tunnels, I personally would rather feed of people's emotions than suffer in the tunnels as a battery. But as Nikki is the protagonist, she has to be selfless and her time during the Feed led her to believe that there is no hero for her. Which is where Jack - lovely lovely Jack- comes in. My super most favourite character on top of all. Why? Jack never gave up on her at all, ever. Jack was a super sweet character most will definitely fall in love with.Well, I did anyway. So I found it hard to believe that she felt that heroes did not exist and ended up shouting 'Jack's your hero, you fool!' most of the time.

The character I wasn't particularly fond of was Jules. For Nikki's best friend to lose hope in finding her and is then disappointed when she return because of her unrequited love for Jack is just... ugh. I liked her for trying to make things normal again when Nikki returned but at the beginning, Jules wasn't the best friend character I liked at all, but made it up towards the end. Jules' love for her best friend's boyfriend is just one I find too cliche.

I love the love triangle! Add this to the story's twist and you will find yourself wanting and craving more. Cole or Jack? Hmmmm I find it to decide, so we'll leave that to Nikki. While reading Everneath, I found my self captivated by its unique, fast-paced plot and twists with hints dropped from the very beginning. It's a must read and I cannot wait for the next book!

Four Stars!

Book Review: If I Die (Rachel Vincent)

Everyone else is talking about Eastlake High’s gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck, but Kaylee Cavanaugh has bigger things on her mind. Kaylee’s a banshee—her scream is a portent of death. But the next scream might hit too close to home. Kaylee’s borrowed lifeline has almost run out. Yeah—it’s a shock to her, too. So to distract herself from her own problems, Kaylee is determined to defend her school against the latest supernatural threat. That hot new teacher is really an incubus, who feeds from the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend’s delinquent ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren’t quite human either. But Kaylee’s running out of time, and those who love her will do anything to save her life. 


Welcome to the 4th day of Rachel Vincent' IF I DIE blog tour! The 5th book in the Soul Screamers Series is a fantastic, fuel-filled rush of a book - so much so that my postman probably grabbed my copy for himself! Thank yo Lucy and MIRA for sending me a second copy, and I promise if the first one ever turns up I'll be giving it away for you guys to enjoy - watch out for it!

In the meantime, check out my review:

I've always been a fan of the Soul Screamers series, but I must admit - there is always a make or break book in every series and this is it. It is, in many case, a hit or miss, love it or hate it book. It's the book that completely changes the trajectory of the series, and although we readers have probably suspected this, Rachel Vincent still manages to surprise us with the twists in If I Die.

Luckily for me, I was one of the happy one after reading the book. It all begins in a rather awry way for Kaylee, and it seems that this time, she might not come out unscathe. Her relationship with Nash hangs in the balance, a very suspicious teacher is being rather unprofessional in his extra-curricular activities, and worse of all, Kaylee may not even have the time to correct all these and get her life back on track. Indeed, it was very possible she won't even have a life at the end of it.

Every book in the series is generally fast-paced, but If I Die was particularly. Because there were so many challenges for Kaylee in the book, it was inevitable that the book breezes through some of, in my opinion, the more important explanations. There were twists that I find were not of complete surprise - regardless, it didn't take the enjoyment out of it though, which was why, overall I still enjoyed it. I did still gape at some scenes and flickered through others like there was no tomorrow! 

Kaylee was undoubtedly under a lot of pressure in the book, and her resilience shines through quite spectacularly. While there were some actions of Kaylee that I found questionable, far be it for me to call it out; after all, unless you yourself have your days numbered, who are you to judge one who does? Having said that, Kaylee's maturity and her ability to act for the greater good even when she is in peril herself, really underscores everything admirable in her - not to mention it gives us readers some really good action scenes! Funny enough, I particularly liked the bloody scenes that I would usually otherwise have ignored. Rachel really does know her action scenes!

Of course, we learn more about the netherworld and the complexity of the creatures that inhabit it. For me, one thing that stood out was that the netherworld creatures that were featured in If I Die still had a heart. At times I even felt like perhaps Kaylee should not interfere with nature, because it was after all in the nature of these demons to act in their own interest and humans are, no matter how sad, the collateral damage in this case. Much like the animals are to provide for human needs. Only a very convincing character and a heartfelt speech from one does this to me, so kudos to Rachel for getting me all pro-demon in this case!

Last but not least, Tod (insert heart sign here).

That is all - and I, as always cannot wait for Kaylee's adventure in Before I Wake!

Four Stars!

*

Book courtesy of MIRA INK.


PS - Pop into Endlessly Bookish for more If I Die tomorrow and check out the banner for the rest of the tour stops:

Book Review: Popular (Gareth Russell)

'AND HOW ARE WE?'

'BETTER.'

'THAN?'

'EVERYONE.'

MEREDITH HARPER is rich, popular, manipulative and almost unnaturally beautiful. At the age of sixteen, she's already a social legend.

IMOGEN DAWSON, beautiful and sexy-chic, she's Meredith's best friend and a total bombshell. And doesn't she just know it. Then there's . . .

KERRY DAVISON, daddy's little princess with a passion for pink and a penchant for Fabulous Induced Breakdowns. Now meet

CAMERON MATTHEWS, six-feet tall, blue-eyed and the most popular guy in school.

Together they're unfathomably gorgeous and like, totally beau. But under the glamorous surface of parties and spa-days is a wealth of comforting lies and convenient silences, bitching, break-ups and scandal. Let the games begin . . .

Popular by Gareth Russell was a very fun read. It was hilarious and exciting, which you could probably guess by the blurb, and it is such a girly-girl book, as you can totally tell by by the cover! It really was funny and full of typical high school socialites. It's like gossip girl and mean girls and ... you know, those girls!

The characters were funny and beautiful popular high school socialites. The life the characters live is an almost perfect one, although behind those parties and glamour were a pile of lies and scandals. This book is mostly based on high school life. They all have their own personalities and they are very (as you may have already known) rich, rich, rich. Made me envy them, but made me see how easily money can get into someone's head also.

I liked the plot and it showed high school life. It sounded like a typical high school I expect, too. Parties, secrets, break-ups. As it turns out, the life of the unmistakably gorgeous socialites aren't perfect at all. It's always good to appreciate the little things in life!

What I didn't really like was how some characters were without common sense sometimes. It happens in real life I know, but I felt like the book exaggerated and it became annoying. Maybe it's just the socialites in the characters that make them annoying, but I wish I liked them better.

I would recommend this book to readers who like the drama and flair of high school life and Gossip Girl. Popular is the perfect read for those of you wanting to read a very fun and glamorous book.

Three Stars.

* Thanks to Razorbill for my review copy!

Book Review: The Emerald Talisman (Brenda Pandos)

To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves.

Saying this book tested my patience does not even begin to cover it; it truly exhausted every ounce of whatever patience there was in me. While I admit I was intrigued about its premise at first, and was thoroughly excited at having the book in my hands, eventually I had to get rid of it or risk insanity.

For the record, I actually did not finish the book. So whether or not you'd take my review as accurate, I'll leave it for you to decide. However, note that I did try to read as much of this book as I could possibly endure. But it just was not possible to finish the book.

The protagonist, Julia, narrates the story and this pretty much guaranteed it's downfall for me. She's a whiny character, one that comes across as stupid more than naive. She's also rather weak in character and I was especially put off with her incessant pining after Nicholas.

So the guy heroically saves her and she falls head over heels in love at first sight, granted. But when Nicholas fails to show up after his saving her, she acts as if her life has suddenly lost its purpose. She goes through the five stages of grief, as though she has lost a lover. She begins blaming him, acting as if Nicholas owed her a lengthy explanation for promising to show up and somehow failing to do so (sure, a promise is a promise - but when a stranger promised something to you, do you honestly fall into a depression when it's broken? Aren't you more likely to be surprised if that stranger actually fulfilled a promised visit?). She also actually gets into the point where she tells herself to finally 'move on' from Nicholas. Move on? As if they ever had a relationship in the first place? It was just too pathetic.

Of course a good mystery and even more mysterious hero is always welcomed in my book - but as I waited for the mystery to unravel, there was nothing else to sustain the plot other than Julia's never-ending pining for Nicholas. Not only did this lack of subplot resulted in the dragging of the storyline, it also made it boring, and Julia's narrative practically killed it for me. Being annoyed to death by this character overshadowed my reading experience so much I can hardly comment on the book's writing and structure.

So sadly, despite my initial enthusiasm, Emerald Talisman turned out to be rather unbearable.

One Star.

* Book courtesy of UK Book Tours.

Book Review: Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance (Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin)

Fans of romance don't need to look any further than the fauxmance brewing between teen idols Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers—known on their hit TV show as Jenna and Jonah, next-door neighbors flush with the excitement of first love. But it's their off-screen relationship that has helped cement their fame, as passionate fans follow their every PDA. They grace the covers of magazines week after week. Their fan club has chapters all over the country. The only problem is their off-screen romance is one big publicity stunt, and Charlie and Fielding can't stand to be in the same room. Still, it's a great gig, so even when the cameras stop rolling, the show must go on, and on, and on. . . . Until the pesky paparazzi blow their cover, and Charlie and Fielding must disappear to weather the media storm. It's not until they're far off the grid of the Hollywood circuit that they realize that there's more to each of them than shiny hair and a winning smile.

This book looks so cute I had to bypass several others just so I can read it. It lives out to this cuteness until about halfway through, and then I thought - hmm, I could have survived not reading it as quickly as I did.

Told in the alternate points of views of Charlie Tracker (Jenna) and Fielding Withers (Jonah), J&J's Fauxmance introduces the readers into the world of teenage showbiz. Both their narrations feels like an insider take on one of the major influences in modern teenage culture - and what they paint is not a pretty picture. More than romance, I think this book shows how Jenna reverts back to Charlie and Jonah to Fielding. Because their lives are so intertwined with their on-screen characters, they had to find themselves first before they can find each other.

I'm surprised to have been reminded a lot about how gullible the public is when it comes to the rubbish the media decides to throw in their face. Really, it's the farthest reaction I expected! Nevertheless, the book maintains its cuteness, although I'm also surprised that at some points the narrative seems to settle a little for the older adults. I adore both Charlie and Fielding's voices - they are superbly accurate. Fielding's thoughts, emotions and reactions are of a typical male's, while I can vouch that Charlie's are characteristically female. It was wonderful to see how these two blend together in shedding Jenna and Jonah and resurface as Charlie and Fielding. All those talks about Jenna and Jonah had me wanting to read more of their tv series - I would have easily been a fan of that also!

Three Stars.

* Thank you Bloomsbury for my review copy.

Book Review: Evercrossed (Elizabeth Chandler)

Ivy and Tristan have both moved on ~ Tristan, to the other side of the afterlife, and Ivy has moved on with sweet, dependable Will. But when an accident seriously injures Ivy, almost to the point of near death, she meets her soulmate Tristan again. And at the place of the "in between", their bittersweet reunion culminates in one breathtaking kiss. But unbeknownst to both Ivy and Tristan, it was that one heart stopping kiss that brought Ivy back to life ~ and angels are prohibited from meddling in matters of life and death. Now fallen from heaven for saving the girl he loves, Tristan is in the body of a stranger, and he must find his way to Ivy once.

I totally adore this book! It may be short, but I enjoyed it an awful lot. Evercrossed is thrilling and romantic. The storyline is really good and it is just as amazing as the previous book, Kissed by an Angel. I was emotional when reading this book, just like when I was reading the previous book. I think the author really does a great job in making people feel strong emotions in her books. They are just superb!

The story is narrated in Ivy Lyons' point of view. Ivy is sometimes very stubborn, but deep inside, she is kind and forgiving. Will, Ivy's boyfriend, is quite protective towards her, since Ivy is also sometimes careless. Will was Ivy's best friend and so was Beth. Beth is also protective over Ivy. Beth and Will have always looked out for her. I like Beth because she cares about Ivy a lot and always watches out for her. In Kissed by an Angel, I liked Will, but I after reading Evercrossed, I don't think love him as much as before. He's change! But here is something that is very interesting in the book : the "stranger" which the soul of Tristan goes into is not who I expected, I thought of him with a different personality, but he turns out to be someone with a different personality and background! You guys just have to wait and find out!

The storyline was great. I totally get the plot and it was thrilling. The ending was a shock to me though. I was not expecting it, it just left me there hanging. I hope there is a next book! I just cannot wait! I love Kissed by an Angel and Evercrossed. I would definitely rate it....

Five Stars!

*Thank you to S&S for my review copy.

Book Review: Withering Tights (Louise Rennison)

The misadventures of Tallulah Casey… Hilarious new series from Queen of Teen – laugh your tights off at the (VERY) amateur dramatic antics of Talullah and her bonkers mates. Boys, snogging and bad acting guaranteed!

Picture the scene: Dother Hall performing arts college somewhere Up North, surrounded by rolling dales, bearded cheesemaking villagers (male and female) and wildlife of the squirrely-type.

On the whole, it’s not quite the showbiz experience Tallulah was expecting… but once her mates turn up and they start their ‘FAME! I’m gonna liiiiive foreeeeeever, I’m gonna fill my tiiiiights’ summer course things are bound to perk up.

Especially when the boys arrive. (When DO the boys arrive?)

Six weeks of parent-free freedom.

BOY freedom.

Freedom of expression…

cos it’s the THEATRE dahling, theatre!!

Oh dear God this book is insane. It could have easily killed me with its hilarity, and to be entirely honest it might just be the most hilarious, most ridiculous book I've ever read. I wish I read this when I was younger - I'd have loved it! Or well...it could have easily killed me then. It's just too funny!

Tallulah Casey is seriously insane. In a good way. She is a character so full of life it's hard to not be uplifted whenever I open the pages and read about her adventures ... or I beg your pardon, misadventures. Her voice is genuine, and really a lot like a young teen. You can sense her naivety and insecurity, and it is easy to relive your very own interesting teenage experiences with her. Or compare it with hers, and with it comes the nostalgia. I think that's one of the best things about Withering Tights - as an adult, it not only filled with the the exuberance of a teenage spirit, but also made me reminisce the many misadventures of my own teenage life!

With a cast of equally vibrant characters with Tallulah, Withering Tights blossoms to a book with a life on its own. It's easy to get into the flow of the plot; apart from Tallulah's easy narration, one can expect hilarity at every other page, indignation in between, and a lot of fun mishaps sprinkled throughout.

A little caution on the narrative's tendency to exaggerate, though. Although admittedly, it is so very hilarious, at times it's bordering on stupidity rather than naivety - it's primarily what I disliked about the book, really. I felt that Tallulah as a character with brains was somehow sacrificed just so the humour could continue. My thoughts then, at those points were dominated by - 'surely no teen could be that stupid!' But there you go.

Having said that, I'm sure Withering Tights will be a hit for kids and kids at heart alike. It's hard not to like such a vibrant, hilarious book!

Three Stars.

* Thank you HarperCollins for my review copy.

Book Review: My Soul to Save (Rachel Vincent)

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.

So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul.

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can't possibly understand.

Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk…..

I am once again ensnared by Rachel Vincent's The Soul Screamers Series. There is just that extra oomph in this series that puts it above the many others I've read- I'm not going to deny how addicted I am to it. And in more ways than one, Kaylee Cavanaugh is my heroine of choice!

I was fascinated by the world of the bean sidhe in My Soul to Take and in its sequel Rachel Vincent does not let up in unleashing more of the horrors of the netherworld. Fortunately, I was fascinated by these too. I find it enchanting really, and Kaylee is a strong narrator who both satisfied and stirred my curiosity. I was continually surprised and horrified along with her; she's such a genuine character, one I consider as a reflection of myself in fiction. I think one of the characteristics that truly define her is what she gives the readers - the ability to see themselves in her.

Not only do we learn more about the netherworld, we also see Kaylee beginning to realise the extent and limitation of her bean sidhe abilities. Having just recently discovered her heritage, she is still set to explore it; but as always, danger is connected to exploration and she is not exempt. Thus, Kaylee takes us into action-filled adventures in both realms, dodging both raging hellions and condescending human adults alike. Spurred by her moral compass, Kaylee once again dives heads first into danger, but who wouldn't in her place? Rachel has truly and effectively conveyed her character's motives and intent behind their actions in My Soul to Save.

Apart from the fascinating mythology, the action-adventure that makes you fly through the pages, we also see more romance. But not only of Nash and Kaylee, but of the reaper's also. Tod - despite his tendency to always appear aloof - shows his one weakness in this book, and I'm sure I'm not the only reader whose heart went out to him. Although Tod messes up a a little at the end, one can understand why. Despite his ungentlemanly actions, I think the jury's still out on Tod's behaviour; for the romantics at heart like me however, he did what did for love, and that says a hell of a lot of things. I admired his assertiveness, no matter how disillusioned he ended up

Rachel's mythology, plus her fantastic set of characters has fully cemented Soul Screamers on my favourite YA series list!

Five Stars!


* Thanks to Mira Ink for my beautiful review copy. I <3 it!

Book Review: Strictly Friends? (Jo Cotterill)

Megan can't believe she's had to move 200 miles away from her home. What about her school and her friends? Not to mention her dancing and her dancing partner, Jake, who has been her best friend since for ever. In an attempt to make herself feel better Megan joins a salsa class and things start to look up. She meets new friends, and even a new exciting boy. But will she listen to the warnings about him?

Strictly Friends is an enjoyable read. I laughed an giggled all the way through. This book is adorable. I think the idea of mixing dancing and romance together is a good one and that it really turned out well for this book. Dancing is an expression of love and this book was a really romantic book.

Some the Characters are so cute, I love the way some of them acted. I would describe Megan as a nice girl, who obviously loves dancing, she loves to try out fun new things. I would love to do the same, but I know I wouldn't be able to. Also, one of the important characters in the book do not appear much in the book unlike the other characters, but that person will really have an effect on the book. I love Megan's friend Mari (which you might be familiar if you have read the previous book Star Crossed) who is a really good friend to Megan. She gave good advises to her and she is very funny in beginning. There are so many characters you would meet and like or hate.

I liked the plot of the book, it's simple but really good. You would understand Megan's life in her point of view. Strictly Friends? would be a recommended read for those who wants to read a teenage romance. This book will make you laugh and think about how she feels. So, go and read it!

Four Stars!

* Thank you to Random House for my review copy!

Book Review: Calling Romeo (Alexandra Potter)

Juliet can't help wishing she had more romance in her life. She loves her boyfriend Will, but after living together for two and a half years, she's come to realise that thirtysomething monogamy isn't all it's cracked up to be. Will used to whisk her off to candlelit restaurants. Now his idea of a perfect evening is a video and vindaloo. He used to leave post-it notes saying 'I love you' on the bathroom mirror. Now the only things she finds are his dirty socks on the bathroom floor. So, when Juliet meets a sexy, dark-eyed Adonis from a rival London advertising agency she is sorely tempted. And when he invites her away for an illicit, no-expense-spared weekend in Verona it's almost impossible to resist. Her very own Romeo.

But does she want to risk losing Will and all they have shared together? Juliet must work out what's really important in life and whether romance really is all about sexy lingerie and red roses.

I'm not certain why I somehow still read books about someone infidelity when I know that all it ends up doing is making me feel terribly agonised. It irks me to no end, but perhaps I keep looking for a book that gives an insight to both sides of the party. Well, Calling Romeo fits well, but it isn't the best read, I don't think.

I'm very torn about my response to this book. On the one hand, the trickling pace of the plot bored me. Too much narrative! I was tempted to skip through and just get to the ending. I disliked the ending; hated the message it could have easily given to the reader. On the other hand, I appreciated Juliet's hesitations because that is how it is. Unless one is unfeeling or morally apathetic, you would hesitate and reconsider to the nth degree your decision to begin an affair. I thought Juliet's thoughts and indecision - her consultations to friends even - were an accurate portrayal of that dilemma. But I'm not saying she justifies it - adultery for me is never justified, whatever the circumstance. Juliet does however, show that she isn't indifferent and has genuine reasons for her affair with Sykes. Admittedly, I believe part - a very small part - of the blame lies on Will, but as Juliet realises love is not always the happy side of the coin.

Calling Romeo is underscored by many subplots, and one can view the events from different points of view. And so when everything unravels, there is much, too much pain swivelling around the characters. I'm not exactly happy how Will handled Juliet's unfaithfulness, and how towards the end Juliet for me didn't feel as apologetic as she should be. Oh yes, there were many tears and pain but I didn't feel she was ultimately entitled to be angry at Will after her unfaithfulness, because whatever Will did or did not do, cheating surpasses that. I tell myself this though: she isn't me. She's a flawed character, and in that she is entitled to feel what she does. I don't think they resolved anything by the ending, and it was very vague, but there you go.

The plot is cliche. The characters are naive, sometimes foolish, sometimes selfish. It can be dragging. But ultimately, Calling Romeo is a book that builds on its imperfections. It made shed tears, it made me angry, it made me want to lash out at the ending, but at the end of it all it's a story of two people that isn't me. Therefore while I don't think it's the best book, plot or ending for me, it might just be for them.

Three Stars.

Book Review: It Happened One Season (Anthology)

We asked our readers what story they would most like to see from four bestselling authors. They responded . . .

A handsome hero returns from war, battle-scarred and world-weary. But family duty calls and he must find a bride.

A young lady facing yet another season without a suitor never expects to find herself the object of his affections.

Four amazing talents - Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, Jacquie D'Alessandro and Candice Hern - have come together to create one of the most unforgettable events of the year. The results are spectacular - each story is as unique as a lover's first kiss.

I usually stay away from anthologies as short stories just make me want to pull my hair out. There's more often than not little characterisation, interaction and plot development to satisfy my reading curiosity. But actually - for this anthology, none of those actually mattered! I was surprised by how interested I was, as a reader, in seeing how one plot can essentially be carved into different stories. Plus, I love the premise of the said plot!

It Happened One Season did not disappoint. Though there is effectively only one plot narrated four times, the differences that separates them from each other is what really counts. Apart from the guidelines provided for by that one plot, each writer's creativity can be seen in each of their stories. And they deliver. I found myself enjoying each one of them, and by the end of the anthology, I was not only completely engaged, I wanted more! And I thought I'd be bored by the second re-telling - I wasn't, one bit! It actually felt refreshing to read a new take on the plot and the repetitive elements only made the differences stand out. I thought was superb.

Out of the four I think my favourite is Jacquie D'Allessandro's Hope Springs Eternal. It has all the elements I look for in a short story and it certainly had me sighing and giggling. Having said that, the other three are almost as good. Very certain a lot of romance readers out there will enjoy this.

My e-copy is beautiful by the way - while the cover is nothing spectacular, the graphics on the inside pages meets the book well. If anything, it made me want to keep this one more! What a wonderful anthology - recommended!

Four Stars.

* E-book copy courtesy of Net Galley. 

Book Review: The Countess (Lynsay Sands)

The fairy tale courtship did not turn into a happily ever after…

Not until her husband dropped dead, that is. He had been horrible enough to Christiana during their short marriage, and she was not going to allow the traditional period of mourning to ruin her sisters’ debuts as well. So Christiana decides to put him on ice and go on as if nothing’s happened…

Until the real earl appears. Richard Fairgrave had every intention of confronting his villainous twin who robbed him of his name and title…only to discover that he’d died. Quietly assuming his identity, Richard must now deal with a maddening desire for his ravishing inherited “wife”—certainly a gold digger and possibly a murderess. And Christiana must deal with an unwanted new “husband”…and they both must figure out what to do before the ice melts!

I must admit - from what I've read of Lyndsay Sands' historical romance, I didn't expect a lot from The Countess. I was primarily drawn to the premise of its blurb (as I always am with Lyndsay Sand's novels) and, although this is certainly one of the better ones in her book list, it's not necessarily one of the good ones I've read.

Christiana is a lovely character. Oppressed by her husband Richard or "Dicky", the Earl of Fairgrave, she has lost all confidence in herself. What she did not know - is that her husband is actually George Fairgrave, twin of the real Earl of Fairgrave! When Dicky drops dead however, it seems like a blessing - until the real Richard appears at a ball. Victimised by his own twin's greed, Richard returns to claim his right, but finds instead a wife who he cannot control his lust for. With a great cast of supporting characters, there is an abundance of hilarity and affection in this novel. Christiana's lack of self-confidence takes centre-stage in the plot, as is Richard's need to trust his new-found partner.

Often times I wish for more than just a romantic plot in Lyndsay Sand books, but this one did have a murder-mystery to spice up the plot, but lacks the most fundamental element of a romance novel - the romance per se! There was a heavy focus on the murder-mystery and although the romance has its foundation on Christina and Richard getting to know each other, I was surprised at its speed. I also did not prefer the way their romance was heavily based on lust - although I suppose some might say that cannot be helped. And speaking of, The Countess is actually a really sexy novel (as compared to the rest of her historical romances) and I think this new series is definitely going to be sexier! I must admit, despite me not liking the romance angle between Christiana and Richard very much - their chemistry is superb together.

In the end, I was not wholly satisfied by how the murder-mystery turned out - but, if you're looking for a historical rom-com slash mystery to entertain, this will do its part.

Three Stars.

* E-book copy courtesy of Net galley.