Book Review: Manifest (Artist Arthur)

When fifteen-year-old Krystal Bentley moves to Lincoln, Connecticut, her mom's hometown, she assumes her biggest drama will be adjusting to the burbs after living in New York City.

But Lincoln is nothing like Krystal imagined. The weirdness begins when Ricky Watson starts confiding in her. He's cute, funny, a good listener—and everything she'd ever want—except that he was killed nearly a year ago. Krystal's ghost-whispering talents soon lead other "freaks" to her door—Sasha, a rich girl who can literally disappear, and Jake, who moves objects with his mind. All three share a distinctive birthmark in the shape of an M and, fittingly, call themselves the Mystyx. They set out to learn what really happened to Ricky, only to realize that they aren't the only ones with mysterious powers. But if Krystal succeeds in finding out the truth about Ricky's death, will she lose him for good?

Manifest is the first book in the Mystyx series, and it introduces the readers to Krystal Bentley whose story takes us through a whirlpool of mysteries, suspense and a drop of romance.

What I liked best about Manifest is the ease in which Krystal, delivers the narration. I believe Manifest is aimed at the younger teen, and this is heavily reflected in her conversational narrative. At fifteen, Krystal is the epitome of the typical teen (powers aside and all). Although stubborn, rebellious and an introvert, Krystal does not drag the reader down her spiral of depression. She was actually an endearing character; reading her story was like peering into a friend's diary, so comfortable was I with her. Krystal is like a rebellious friend you would not necessarily admire, but one you would grow to understand. She's temperamental, misunderstood and often conflicted. I adore her.

In fact, realistic characterisation is a strength of this novel. Aside from Krystal, Ricky is also a wonderful character to spend time with. I especially like his advices to Krystal - it does not only show his depth, but also they also precisely hone in on Krystal's faults. Without being condescending, Ricky 'balances' her out and is exactly what she needs. Secondary characters - namely Sasha and Jake - were also well-described. I want to focus on Jake in particular because I have my theories about him having a bigger role in the next books. I also want to mention the diversity of all these characters - Manifest is really a microcosm of the general society and I give it a lot of browny points for that!

Real-life issues is well-portrayed in this debut novel too. Krystal's depression is a vivid reminder of the effects of divorce, especially of a child is kept in the dark and left to cope on her own; she sees class divisions and discrimination around her; she learns to see beyond the surface and open herself to friends, to ignore the status quo and accept what life has to offer. Although Manifest is a supernatural novel, it has a surprisingly strong grip on reality and current social issues, which is an obvious plus to any book.

However, what really did not work for me was the suspense and mystery. I found that it lacked outline and was fragmented in parts. I often disregarded subplots that just were disjointed and not perfectly  connecting. Eventually of course, the plot makes sense and I did begin to appreciate the course the it took a little more. It just did not grip me as much as I would have wanted. I kept waiting for that 'shock' factor that would make me flip back and wonder how I could have overlooked at clues, and that just was not there.

Regardless, with its ending in perfect position for the beginning of the second book, I believe this series will only get better. Book 2 should smoothen the creases left by the plot as well as answer the questions left by Manifest.

Overall, it's quite a good debut novel. It is however, better suited for younger teens. They'll not only get mystery and romance too, but can also learn a thing or two from the depth of this book.

Three stars.


P.S. I shall be posting a transcript of the community interview with Artist Arthur that I participated in tomorrow. Watch out for it, and don't forget to check out Manifest in your local bookstore today!

* My copy is provided by the publicist for review. Thanks very much Lisa!

In My Mailbox (9)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Krist @ The Story Siren.
Here's what we got this week!

* For Review

The Infidel (Bob Shepherd)

Reckless - (Cornelia Funke)

Ebooks - The Highlander Series (Karen Marie Moning)

The Argeneau and Rogue Hunter Series (Lynsay Sands)

 * Bought

By Midnight (Mia James)

Jump (Elisa Carbone)

Forgive My Fins (Terra Lynn Childs)

The Pace (Shelena Shorts)

The Demon's Covenant (Sarah Rees Brennan)

Linger (Maggie Stiefvater)

* Via Read It Swap It

North of Beautiful (Justina Chen Headley)

* Won

Hush Hush (Becca Fitzpatrick)

Raised by Wolves (Jennifer Lynn Barnes)

These just add and add and add to my TBR pile! Book bans, anyone?
Link me what you've got, I'll check it out!

Book Review: Linger (Maggie Stiefvater)

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

How am I supposed to write a decent review when I'm this speechless?

If I'll try to sum Linger up, I'd say heartbreaking. Shiver was a story about coming together but Linger is about staying together. It's a book of battles, really. Sam and Grace has to fight to stay together. Sam has to battle the remnants of his past and for his future. Readers are introduced to a new character, Cole, who has to wage a battle of his own. There is Isabel, who has to face a broken family and a guilty heart. And then there is Grace, who is simply fighting to stay Grace.

It takes more than just love to stay together, and Linger shows that in Grace and Sam's relationship. They take a lot of battering in this book. And a lot of space between them, which is just impossibly saddening. When Grace defies her parents, it's not their reactions I was frustrated about, but their lack of understanding. Yes, as parents, they have every right to chastise Grace, but the fact that they refuse to acknowledge their absence in Grace's life and pins all the blame to Sam is just beyond infuriating. Again, we see a broken family theme in Linger, underscored by the same imperfection of the Culpeper and St. Clair families.

The pace is at times frustratingly slow. It has the effect of a detailed development of the sub-plots as well as an in-depth characterisation in Cole. The author has a penchant for creating the perfect imperfect character and Cole is not an exception. He is as broken as Sam, but as determined to stay wolf as Sam is to stay human. His introduction adds flavour to Isabel, whom we already know from Shiver. Together, their relationship is vastly different from and hence highlights Grace and Sam's. It also pleased me how Cole is redeemed so wonderfully at the end of the novel. Great character.

Linger frustrated me at the beginning because I wanted to read more of Grace and Sam. I was not exactly expecting a smooth ride, but I really wanted to savour the languid romance that was so prevalent in Shiver. I missed Sam and Grace's time together, the many songs and lyrics that amplifies Sam's feelings for Grace. Instead, Linger introduced two more narrators, more subplots and a lot more complexities. The pace also took some time to warm to me. But it is the rich, lyrical narrative in Sam that I missed most. Because Linger has four narrators, Sam can only speak so much.

It was the ending that clinched the deal for me. I grew frustrated with the slow progress but when it sped up at the end, it was such a fast-paced read. That is when everything seems to fit together and complete the picture. I was left speechless and yearning for more, ultimately reminded why I fell in love with the series in the first place.

Four Stars.

Book Review: Forgive My Fins (Terra Lynn Childs)

Half-mermaid princess Lily Sanderson has been living on land for the past three years, crushing on Seaview swim-god Brody Bennett, dealing with annoying biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher, and just generally trying to figure out this whole human thing. But everything changes when she accidentally bestows her magical first kiss on the wrong boy.

Forgive My Fins appeals strongly to my giggly inner teen. Fresh, romantic and magical, Terra Lynn Childs' third novel is one to love!

Essentially, Forgive my Fins is about Lily's attempts at correcting her accidental 'marriage' with Quince, the next-door neighbour who just happens to be the one person who can worm his way beneath her fins and irritate her. An unexpected kiss between these two bond them together as mermates and between that and Lily's undying, three-year affection for Brody, they spell trouble with a capital T.

Lily is a loveable character. Bubbly and charming, she has an authentic feel to her voice. Her use of sea metaphors and references (for instance 'son of swordfish') saturates her narrative, is incredibly funny and is critical to that 'mermaid feel' in her voice. The author's use of a first person narrative gives a sense of direct communication between Lily and the readers so every bit of her mermaid lore and terminologies act much like an introduction to a riveting mer kingdom I could not have enough of! Thalassinia comes to life in Lily's vivid descriptions and immersing one's self in mermaid lore is an engaging side effect of reading Forgive My Fins. The author has crafted a very authentic, very magical underwater world in this book!

Quince is a darling. Obnoxious, slightly irritating but overbearingly sweet, he is simply character to adore. I could not help but root for him throughout the book. Quince and Lily's love-hate relationship is such a classic, but it's clear from the beginning that there is more to it that just teasing. In the same light, as the plot progresses, readers learn more about Quince, and he begins to be a character with depth. Despite their classic relationship, the originality of the plot offsets this. You'll not only lose yourself in Quince and Lily's banters but also in their underwater adventures!

I love every Quince-Lily moment - innocent, sweet and full of witty exchanges, I just could not help but giggle. I was so giddy with these two! I had so much fun to watch the conflict between Lily's strengthening bond with Quince and her feelings for Brody, not to mention the reluctance of her father to grant them the separation. Best of all, it was interesting to note the changes in her feelings and the growth that she undergoes throughout the novel.

What makes Forgive My Fins such a delightful read is not limited to her attempts at having the bonds severed, but what occurs between the lines at her every attempt. Quince's constant presence in her life - now even more pronounced because of the bond - forces her out of shell. Lily learns to appreciate beyond the superficial and gain her much needed courage.

There is little I didn't like in this novel. There is the lack of characterisation with the foils, for one. Believe me, I love all the characters, but they only slightly developed. They were not very relevant to the plot, but still. I felt like I know Aunt Rachel's cat more than Aunt Rachel, and that is slightly worrying. Nothing much else, I have yet to resurface from Thalassinia magical hold on me!

With a charming array of characters, a magical underwater kingdom to feel at home in, and a sweet romance in the whole midst of it, what better book to immerse your summer with than Forgive My Fins?

Four Stars.

Book Review: Angel (L.A. Weatherly)

Willow knows she’s different from other girls. And not just because she loves tinkering around with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into people’s futures, know their dreams, their hopes and their regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where she gets this power from…

But Alex does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows Willow’s secret and is on a mission to stop her. The dark forces within Willow make her dangerous – and irresistible. In spite of himself, Alex finds he is falling in love with his sworn enemy.

This novel is such a shocker.

When blurb says L.A. Weatherly will reinvent angels in Angel, she not only reinvents it, but does so in such a stunning way. Her portrayal of angels as deceptive predators is disturbing, yet strangely fascinating. Without foregoing the beauty that lures humanity into admiring these celestial beings, the author twists our common perception of their majesty to reveal a very frightening creature. For that alone, Angel deserves a permanent space in everyone's shelves.

What I expected with Angel, is vastly different from what I have read. Even from the very beginning I was already caught unaware by this novel. It's far from predictable, and none of my guesses were actually even remotely near the plot. There were always surprises around every corner and each caught me by surprise. Throw away all your expectations are read this book. You will not regret it!

Angel is partly narrated by Willow, and partly by an omniscient narrator. The narrative style is as fresh as its plot, allowing glimpses into Willow's character without neglecting the crescendo of suspense created by events out of Willow's control. The perfect criss-crossing of these different perspectives builds the suspense with such intensity that I was slightly floored with the thrill. It was like reading a Dan Brown thriller - so very gripping. Combined with interesting characters and the unsettling angels, the suspense is a huge driving force in making Angel such stunning novel.

While the suspense remains a constant presence in the course of the plot, there is also adventure and romance intertwined strongly within the novel. Willow and Alex are two very different, very engaging characters. I found the character development to be more intrinsic than external, linking closely to the romance and plot as a whole. I couldn't get enough of the two!

Reading about their roadtrip is like partaking in it; I particular loved their experiences on the run as it is not only vividly described but also gives a sense of urgency to escape. The blossoming romance between the protagonists and the danger that constantly hovers above them (sometimes literally) gave me an adrenaline rush. It's a very, very good read. I'm pleased at how the novel did not focus entirely on Willow's and Alex's differences, but more on their acceptance of each other, and later their romance. It isn't at all sappy - and they don't fall in love in a blink of an eye either - but there were points where I could have done with less than what was written. At some parts of the book the narrative becomes overwhelming, but as I am reviewing an ARC, I did not worry too much. The finished copy would be more polished, so there really isn't much to complain about.

With a mythology as strong as Philip Pullman's and a suspense as well built as Dan Brown's, L.A. Weatherly's Angel is a dark and fresh new twist to the celestial beings we all know and love. It's a sin to miss a book this good!

Five Stars.


I have a forthcoming interview with the author, L.A. Weatherly so do watch out for it! And of course, don't forget mark your calendars for the 1st October!

Book Review: Beyond the Highland Mist (Karen Marie Moning)

AN ALLURING LAIRD

He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart—until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistibly challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length—but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A PRISONER IN TIME

She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite in her. Not even the barriers or time and space could keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about flowing the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side...

I was thirsting for historical romances lately so a friend recommended this series and I was very fortunate to be offered the whole series for review. Beyond the Highland Mist introduces us to Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series and what an introduction it was! Now I understand why many recommend this so much. It's the perfect historical romance!

Our (insert all words synonymous to sexy here) hero is Sidheach 'Hawk' Douglas, who has been ordered by the King to marry Janet Comyn, known to be a madwoman. Fortunately for Hawk, Janet is now dead and in her place is Adrienne, who has recently been transported from the future by Adam Black, a Fairy fool seeking to torment our hero. Being the legend that he is, Hawk's ego takes a heavy stomping under Adrienne's denial of his seduction. To make things worse, Adam is present to distract Adrienne further, and his every move irritates Hawk to no end. What I found most hilarious about Hawk is the way he acts. He may be a fearless laird, but when it comes to Adrienne he really takes a bruising and frets like a toddler. Hilarious!

For her part, Adrienne plays the perfect heroine for Hawk. As an orphan, she has lived a lonely life in the twentieth century. Worse, her ex-fiancee Eberhard has only used her for his illegal activities. She has sworn off handsome men only to be so suddenly transported into the past and married to the most tempting man she has ever seen. Her denial of him makes some very interesting results and I loved reading every bit of it! Their characters are moulded well to fit each other and the romance is just as sizzling!

Beyond the Highland Mist should really be sold with a fan because it will drive you crazy from its very first pages. Karen Marie Moning's choice of words are seductive at the very least. I'm sure readers - female readers especially - will enjoy imagining their own version of Hawk, and if one is not enough, there are at least two other sumptuous heroes for you to drool on in this highland romance! I particularly love how all of them practically drips of masculinity. Strong, protective, competitive and arrogant - you can just imagine what happens when any two of them clashes.

Not only are the secondary characters noteworthy, they are also involved in subplots which were given enough attention to not be entirely distracting in the flow of the plot. It has recurring characters that will later be useful should you continue reading the series too. Beyond the Highland Mist is a wonderful blend of paranormal and highlander romance, with to drool for characters and is an undeniably excellent start to a fantastic series!

FIVE STARS.


*My E-book copy is received for review. 

Book Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty (Jenny Han)

Some summers are just destined to be pretty

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

I almost regret reading The Summer I Turned Pretty. I found it to be rather distasteful.

I should start with the few strengths of this book. Firstly, I thought it really captures the essence of summer. While reading I could almost feel the warmth of the summer breeze seeping through the pages of the book and the smell of the ocean in Belly's narration. It's also a wonderful book with regards to its portrayal of family life and friendships. The relationship between the Fishers and Belly's family is uplifting to read about. Their closeness is enviable, and although Belly is often bullied by the three older boys - Steven, Conrad and Jeremiah - it is obvious that they all love and care for her.

Realism is also strong factor in The Summer I Turned Pretty. It's not about a perfect summer, but is about its many imperfections and how one grows in facing it. Hence it's not a light-hearted book per se, it's also about the heavy problems that life throws at you, summer or not. Towards the end of the book, Belly begins to understand this and hence mature, and it becomes clear how the book chronicles different people's way of coping.

Unfortunately, developments appear to occur only towards the end. The first three-quarters of the book is a pain to read. Belly is the type of person that I don't mind meeting but I certainly would not want to hang out with. She's immature, whiny, possessive and self-centered. The narrative is told in her perspective and is a criss-cross of the present and the past. While the flashbacks serve to elaborate on present events, I found that Belly hardly matured. She is constantly obsessing about being a grown up (while not acting like it), and this becomes a constant drone that has irritated me. I also felt that a lot of her attention were drawn to inconsequential matters, which was a waste of time. I could not get the point up until three quarters of the book. Shame.

The secondary characters were not all bad, of course. I like Susannah and Jeremiah, whom I thought were perfectly drawn. However, I felt Conrad needed more development. Belly is always constantly mentioning changes in his attitude, but he's such a vague character I thought his reactions were anything but abnormal. Which is another reason why I never really connected with the book.

Finally, I had issues with Belly's relationship with her mother and Cam. Belly is borderline ignoring her mother - she loves Sussanah so much, but her affection for her mother is so limited it is almost inexistent. To make it worse, she hardly appreciates her mother's efforts - no thank yous or I'm sorrys - which annoyed me to no end. Meanwhile, Cam is just like a passing breeze that shows how Belly is completely insensitive, which is no excuse for anyone to be, summer fling or not. His presence is misleading because here I was thinking there were only two boys for Belly, when there was actually three. It's a little over my limit, especially if the aforementioned two are siblings.

I'm not a fan of this book, I'm afraid. Sorry.

Two stars.

In My Mailbox (8)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren.

I've been bed-ridden with flu so this post is a bit late, but here's what I got this week:

* Gifts from Simon and Schuster - Thanks, Ally!

Dark Secrets (Elizabeth Chandler)

Daughters of Fortune (Tara Hyland)

Best Friends Forever (Jennifer Weiner)

Pictures of Lily (Paige Toon)

Hex Hall (Rachel Hawkins)

*From Clover @ Fluttering Butterflies - Thank you dear!

Angel (L.A. Weatherly)

*Bought

The Summer I Turned Pretty (Jenny Han)

I'm afraid I can't promise to visit your IMMs as I'm still sick, but do leave a link in the comments and I'll try to visit!

Book Review: Sing Me To Sleep (Angela Morrison)

THE TRANSFORMATION

Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.

THE LOVE AFFAIR

When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?

THE HEARTBREAK

The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.

I'm still too distraught to even begin thinking of writing a review, but I will try. This review was written two days ago. I have recovered.

Sing Me to Sleep tortured me through and through. I have actually predicted the ending correctly, but it didn't lessen the impact one bit. I thought I was ready when I finally summoned enough courage to turn the pages and start reading, but I never really was. I don't think anything would have prepared me for it - except maybe tissues. Tissues would have been helpful. Lots and lots of tissues.

I have been told this novel is heartbreaking, but it's not. It's devastating. The elegant writing is executed with a natural grace that makes it so beautiful. All the emotions that it evokes are real and powerful; rarely does a book exhibit such power over my emotions. Sing Me to Sleep reminded me of the strength of words - just how much impact words can have - and the power of literature - exactly how deep a story can move.

Beth's insecurities begin the novel and is a constant factor in her growth. Her experiences are raw and passionate - hence her emotions, mistakes and reactions are equally passionate and the author translate these effectively through her lyrics and songs. She's a strong character; with every heartbreak thrown at her, Beth endures.

Her princes are two of the most self-sacrificing characters I've met in a long while. What Beth shares with Derek is a consuming romance that connects them both deeply. Though a late bloomer, I'm glad Beth found a pure, untainted love with Derek. However, I couldn't seem to disregard her best friend Scott. I was conflicted between these two. Derek shares a connection with Beth through music - something Scott will not understand. On the other hand, Scott is the one person who stood by her all those torturous years, the person who knew and accepted her inside out. It's an impossible choice, even for me as a reader. I'm pleased with how the author gave weight to the difficulty of Beth's choice.

I rooted for Scott from the beginning but couldn't help but warm to Derek - it's equally torturous to choose one over the other because someone is bound to get hurt, and the least Beth wants is to hurt any one of them. It's a rough emotional road to write but this book captures this perfectly. Her choice measures the power of love and friendship.

Morrison's portrayal of loss is almost brutal, but it's as real as you can get. Perhaps it appeals to me so strongly because I have felt that feeling before - that all-consuming grief that almost deprives you of your heart - and also because I am so familiar with the agony of Derek's 'secret'. But I also am familiar with setting someone free, with letting a loved one go - somehow it was easier with that knowledge, because it can be a relief.

I must admit I did not understand the way the book ended. Somehow it was abrupt, too short for my liking, but it did point out one thing: that love does hurt, but it can also heal. If I think about that, then I think that seals the book quite well.

I'm torn between tucking this book away so I don't have to relive the pain and re-reading it again and again relish the many loving, tender moments that makes this book so beautiful. I want to keep it to myself and share it with the world. Derek and Beth's story is unforgettable. I can never forget this one novel that shook me and touched me more than any other. I would always remember it, and would always cry when I do.

Five tear-filled stars.

P.S. Have you read the prologue yet? Warning, it has spoilers, so strictly for readers only. You can visit Angela's site HERE.

Birthday Giveaway: The Sequels!

Today is my last day as a teen. How sad is that? I'm still holding on to the last remnants of my teenage life - can't quite believe I'll be twenty tomorrow! So...because I reckon I should really be thankful for my two decades rather than whine about it, here's a giveaway for my wonderful followers!

Enter for a chance to win one or all of these great sequels (finished copies)!

Crescendo (sequel to Hush Hush)

Torment (sequel to Fallen)

Beautiful Darkness (sequel to Beautiful Creatures)

Return to Paradise (sequel to Leaving Paradise)

The Haunted (sequel to The Hollow)

Ascendant (sequel to Rampant)

Sapphique (sequel to Incarceron)

Here's the catch:

I will let you decide whether you want to have 7 winners with one book each or 1 winner with all of the seven books. If the majority chooses to have 7 winners, everyone will have more chances of winning, but with only one book. However, if the majority picks the winner takes all option, everyone will have less chance of winning, but you do have the opportunity to win all the sequels above.

This giveaway:

Is open internationally (where Book Depository ships).
Is open to all my Google Friend Connect followers.
Is open to everyone above the age of 13.
Will end on 31st August 2010.
Will not retain any of the entrants' contact details nor will it pass it on to any third party.

Click HERE to fill out the form.


CONTEST CLOSED.

I will announce and contact the winner(s) chosen by random.org as soon as I can.

Goodluck!

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Because it's my last day as a teen, my pick for today is literally my most awaited book:

CRESCENDO (Becca Fitzpatrick)

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy, Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.


The further Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim bloodline has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

To be published by Simon and Schuster on October 14 (UK) and Octorber 19 (US).

You have no idea how excited I am for this!
Watch out for my birthday giveaway tomorrow - I'm including a copy of Crescendo for it!

Book Review: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (Beth Fantaskey)

The undead can really screw up your senior year ...

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

I love this book - so romantic, so funny and nails everything I like about a YA book. I wanted to read this a while back and was finally tempted enough during my exams. I grabbed a copy, dived head first and resurfaced giggling. I love it!

Told through Jessica's eyes, Jessica's Guide mixes both past and present, the old and the new, love and hate. It is one of the very best of YA paranormal romance, and within it is everything I crave for in a book! There's the sexy love interest, the crush-worthy opportunity cost, the witty banters, the hilarious moments, vampire royalties, customs, treacherous characters, passion, courage, betrayal, action and love, love love!

I adore the characters in this book. Jessica Packwood - Antanasia - is a vibrant one: a character so close to myself that I immediately connected with her. Just slightly reserved, at times frank, she is a character that I can see resonating in many other teen readers. Her imperfections and uncertainties is seen in everyone and the many mistakes she makes we are familiar with.

Lucius Vladescu, on the other hand, is a character that is developed through both Jessica's observations and through his correspondence with his uncle that the author slips in between chapters. Hardened by a rough upbringing, Lucius is a delicate character, a person afraid of his own nature - although his dominance and humour prevails at the beginning, his character shifts and turns to his darker side as the plot progresses. There is a vivid goodness in Lucius, but lurking not far behind is the dark nature that the author delivers so fluidly.

The romance if full of twists and turns, delivered in a practical pace that highlights the important moments. There is action too - I love the sinking feeling that it made me feel, which meant I really was engrossed in it.

My dislike: one. The narrative fragments closer to the end of the book. Somehow, it coincides with major advances in the plot and characterisation. I would have preferred a smoother transition. Furthermore, Lucius as a character also slips in these portions of the book. I am undecided whether Lucius is portrayed in a way that is true to his character. In retrospect, I believe his character is redeemed in a way that still stays true to his nature. Other than what I mentioned, I have not much dislikes about this book.

As it stands, Jessica's Guide is one heck of an unmissable book. Perfect for YA readers, especially those who're looking for a good telling of a paranormal romance!

Four stars.