Review: Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Every Other Day

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Hardcover, 329 pages

Published December 27th 2011 by EgmontUSA

Glasses: 4.0 

Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

I haven't read a book where the romance takes a back seat to the story in a long time. As a matter of fact, I can pretty much say straight out that there's almost no romance at all. But fear not my fellow hopeless romantics, for I, the most hopeless of us all, thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I started it last night an read it in class all day today so I could write this review. Its set in a world where monsters from horror movies exist and the outcome of World War II was effected by Chupacabra informants. Kali, a normal abet antisocial teenager girl -at least half the time- turns into a demon hunter every other day. She teams up with the school "slut"/pychic and the head cheerleader after she contracts a deadly chupacabra parasite that's certain to kill her.

When they're done fighting off monsters mysteries begin to unravel and Kali's past comes into question and just who the mysterious voice in her head is. I was on the edge of my seat up until the end waiting to figure out what would happen next. Even though the end was my type of happy ending (although a happy ending none the less), I still really liked it.

Kali's a strong character and is set off my her cohorts throughout the novel. Although I didn't particularly like   the writing and the explanations, I got through it. You have to read closely to get everything out of the book but it's seriously worth it. It's an awesome read that's going to make you wish you lived in a world full of zombies and mad scientists too.

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5)
by Cassandra Clare

Hardcover, 536 pages
Expected publication: May 8th 2012 by Margaret K. McElderry

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

Long summary, huh? More to bite off! I just pre-ordered it and I'm counting down the hours. Pretty soon it's going to be in my hand.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO COME OUT!!!

Review: Angels Blood by Nalini Singh

Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter #1)

by Nalini Singh 

Mass Market Paperback, 339 pages

Published March 3rd 2009 by Berkley

Glasses: 4.9999999

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she is the best- but she does not know if even she is good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, Elena knows failure is not an option—even if the task is impossible.
Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other—and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt does not destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just might. For when archangels play, mortals break.

My Thoughts.
One of my friends practically shoved this down my throat. There were phrases thrown out like, "It's so good! You'll love it!" and,"It's better than the Fever series." I was really hesistant to read it, because, quite frankly, I didn't think anything could be as good as Mac and Barron, but I'm really glad I was wrong, because it was just as good. Now, I'm before I continue, I'd like to briefly point out that Angels' Blood good is on whole other spectrum than Harry Potter good, and that's that.

I was skimming through the goodreads reviews and I saw a gif that was a complete representation as to what I was feeling at the time.

 

Yes. You will feel like the minions after you read this book. All the feelings! Gahh...
I could fangirl for the rest of this post, but instead I'll stop.

Angels' Blood is not only an amazing romance, but it's filled with action, witty banter, mystery, murder, crime, fantasy, hot guys, a strong feminine heroine, and everything else that makes up an amazing book.

So, you may wonder, why I didn't give it 5 glasses? Well, there were some things that I didn't like about it, abet, they were tiny, but they made me give it that -.01. First off, the romance was a bit too fast. I knew this was supposed to be a series when I started reading, and I like my romances slow, but it was almost instant satisfaction - granted its towards the end of the book - but whatever. There where other little minor things like the weird twists and stuff, but I can totally over look those minor flaws.

So yeah, in teenager speak: THIS. BOOK. WAS. AWESOME.

Library Monday (3)

Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury
Hardcover, 320 pages

Published May 24th 2011 by Atheneum

Agnes Wilkins has attracted the attention of one of 19th-century England's most eligible men. When Agnes unwittingly pockets an Egyptian artifact during a mummy unwrapping party, her action sets off a chain of events that bring out dangerous characters--and true love.

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff
Hardcover, 365 pages
Published November 14th 2011 by Razorbill

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped—and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible.
Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie’s whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. 

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Hardcover, 329 pages

Published December 27th 2011 by EgmontUSA

Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.
And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.
Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.
When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

I'm getting in the bad habit of judging a book by its cover. Most of the books that come out these days are really pretty, and I'm worried that I won't read some amazing book just because it looks weird. That's definitely my goal next week, to check out more eclectic books. :)

The festival yesterday set me up on a huge book splurge and I kinda spent a copious amount of my allowance on some reading material. Plus I've added some random books I've bought over the past month. You know those people on the couponing shows that love to keep stockpiles of food? Well I think I'm becoming one of them - with books.

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Hardcover, 328 pages
Published September 13th 2011 by HarperTeen

A tragic tale about falling in love on the world’s most infamous ill-fated sea voyage as heroine, Tess, discovers darker secrets that lie beneath the doomed crossing… and a hidden brotherhood that threaten to tear her lover from her forever.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins *signed

Hardcover, 338 pages
Published September 29th 2011 by Dutton Books

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.
When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson (Goodreads Author), Lauren Myracle 

Paperback, 352 pages
Published October 2nd 2008 by Speak
(I know it's not Christmas, but I needed to buy one of John Green's books to be able to meet him.)

Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicolored lights glittering in the night through the falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today?s bestselling teen authors?John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle?the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.

Envy (The Fallen Angels #3) by J.R. Ward 

Paperback {not in photo}
Published September 6th 2011 by Piatkus Books

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls to save. And a man and a woman treading the lines of danger, desire and deliverance ...As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas DelVecchio Jr grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father. Hired to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in Veck is both professional and arousingly personal. But Veck and Sophia have a common interest. He's Jim Herron, a mysterious stranger enlisted to save the soul of a killer's latest victim, one precariously hovering between heaven and hell. Before Herron's job is done, Veck and Sophia will be inexorably drawn into a battle of good against evil, where the risk is nothing less than total damnation.

Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter #1) by Nalini Singh 

eBook, 339 pages
Published March 3rd 2009 by Berkley

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she is the best- but she does not know if even she is good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, Elena knows failure is not an option—even if the task is impossible.
Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other—and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt does not destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just might. For when archangels play, mortals break.

Sneak Peak Sunday (7)

Hemlock (Hemlock #1)

by Kathleen Peacock

Hardcover, 400 pages

Expected publication: May 8th 2012 by HarperCollins

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.
Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.
Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.
Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.
Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

Pre-Order it here. 

The last book I read where the main character's name was Mac was the Fever Series and it was without a doubt one of the best things I've read in a long time. So with werewolves, murders, and mysteries, this book better be a great read. :)

LA Book Festival

Last weekend our newspaper was dropped off at our house in the early hours of Sunday morning. The sun was sneaking out over the horizon, the birds were chirping, and the neighborhood was unbelievably quiet, making it the perfect time to try out my new slippers. I grabbed a light sweater and I walked out to the drive way in my PJs to grab it and pull out the comic books. As I bent over to pick up the wad of paper I glimpsed an add for the LA Book Festival this weekend and at moment my day was made.

John Green, author of
The Fault in Our Stars, 
signs a couple of my books.

I had an internship interview this morning, but as soon as it finished it wasn't long before we left for USC. We parked in the structure across from the dorms and walked towards the booths. It's at this point that I lacked words to describe how awesome it was. Books every, book lovers in every corner, and basically everything that's good in the world of reading was there. So, eventually, after we looked around for a bit and walked through the comic book booths for an unknown rather long period of time, we got in line to see John Green and get our books signed. Despite the long lines and the incessant heat, you can't help but have fun there. I did have to buy a book to get in line, but I figure that's a small price to pay to be within a 2 foot radius of his brain.

Books I got signed.

Not only that, but I had a chance to meet new people and Nerdfighters while we waited in line, buy a couple books (I'll blog about that later), and meet my favorite author in the whole world. I'm quite proud of myself that I didn't freak out and fan girl when he was signing my books. 

It's awesome and a great experience. The campus is extremely pretty and the best place to hold an event like this. So if you ever have the chance to go to the LA Book Festival, just GO!

Review: Crave by J.R. Ward

Crave (The Fallen Angels #2)

by J.R. Ward

Mass Market Paperback, 454 pages

Published October 5th 2010 by Signet

Glasses: 4.4

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls that must be saved. One more no-holds- barred battle between a fallen angel with a hardened heart and a demon with everything to lose.
Isaac Rothe is a black ops soldier with a dark past and a grim future. The target of an assassin, he finds himself behind bars, his fate in the hands of his gorgeous public defender Grier Childe. His hot attraction to her can only lead to trouble-and that's before Jim Heron tells him his soul is in danger. Caught up in a wicked game with the demon who shadows Jim, Isaac must decide whether the soldier in him can believe that true love is the ultimate weapon against evil.

My Thoughts.
Gah... there are many, many things I want to say about this book. About how Issac's vulnerability is just super cute, or that the twist towards the end of the book made me gasp out loud. Sigh. It's was pretty awesome. Although, not as awesome as the first book, which was sort of a bummer.

After the last success that Jim had in Covet, he returns in this novel ready to continue his fight for humanity. This time he has to save his ex-partner for his days in the secret XOps, Issac Rothe. After he gets arrested for an underground fight club, its up to Heron to keep him alive.

We get to learn a lot more about Jim's past, including Matthias, his old boss, and just what exactly happened to them before he left. It doesn't hurt that all of the characters were amazing. Issac's just one of those guys that you might know. Despite his tight situation, he's just one of those guys that you can't help but love. And Grier Childe, his love interest, is a perfect match. His attorney, she's tough and stands her own in this world full of men. Childe is smart and what I think we wish we could be sometimes. However, sometimes she did get a bit annoying, that's one of the main reasons why I think the first book was a bit better. I could relate more to Mary, where as Grier almost seemed to perfect.

Despite a few slow moments, the scenes that we got from all of the characters kept me going through. J.R. Ward's writing is great and the twists and turns in her plot wouldn't let me put it down. Seriously... the ending freaked me out and I definitely can't wait to read Envy. >.<

Sneak Peak Sunday (6)

The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3)

by Kimberly Derting 

Hardcover, 358 pages

Expected publication: April 17th 2012 by HarperCollins

In the end, all that's left is an echo...Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet's talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it's Violet's job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by "the girlfriend collector" she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new "relationship" and Violet may have caught his eye....

I can't wait for this book to come out! I still remember reading the first book and blogging about the second one coming out. Violet and Jay are such a cute couple and the summary sounds really exciting. The murder mysteries laced with romance and paranormalacy are what keeps me coming back. >.<

Accidentally Dead

by Dakota Cassidy

Paperback, 352 pages

Published July 1st 2008 by Berkley Trade

Glasses: 4.0

It's a lousy first day on the job for Nina Blackman when a patient, loopy from the anesthesia, bites her. At least he was cute. But for real drama she can't beat the next evening. Nina wakes up with a set of razor-sharp fangs, bionic vision, supersonic hearing, and a taste for blood. But there?s a good explanation: It?s her patient, Long Island vampire Greg Statleon. Actually they're perfect for each other if Nina's willing to commit to one man for eternity.

My Thoughts...

I have to admit that I didn't read the first one and basically,  one of the only reasons I got this book was because the cover looked cute. Yeah, that's right, I said it, cute. And honestly, that's what it was. Minus Nina's badass awesome/stubbornness, it's just plain cute. Plus. it's just one of those books that stands alone great despite some of the references to the first book there were.

The book's about Nina, a thirty sometimes dental hygiene that has, possibly the loudest mouth on the east coast. She's says what she wants and isn't afraid to let people know what she thinks. So when she gets bitten by one of her patients and wakes up the next day as a vampire she gets angry. 

It does have a bit of a rough start, and the big action doesn't come in until the middle, but I could deal with that. Completely against the idea of her new life style, she hates her vampire creator, the wonderfully hot Gregori Statleon. After he accidentally turned Nina into a vampire he tries his best to keep her alive, despite the fact that she thinks he's trying to create a vampire army to rule the world. They get off to a bad start, but the chemistry is very apparent the further you get into the book.

This is a book that doesn't take itself completely seriously, and I loved it. It was incredibly funny and the characters were clever and adorable. The beginning starts off slightly slow and it takes a while to get to the meat of the plot, but the ending had a clever little twist that was cute and wrapped up the novel well.

Although Nina's attitude got annoying sometimes, she has friends that balance her stubbornness that grow on you. Her badass-ery transcends awesome to a point that sometimes we all wish we could achieve. 

With sassy characters, a cute love story, vampires, and humor a galore, if you ever come across it make sure to give it a read.

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Everneath (Everneath #1)

by Brodi Ashton 

Hardcover, 370 pages

Published January 24th 2012 by Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray

Glasses: 3.8

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being 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 months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.
As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's 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..

My Thoughts...

It was on the new-book shelf at my library when I got it and I blogged about it on a Library Monday post a week or two ago. I finished it today because it's due tomorrow and, I mean, it was pretty awesome.

It starts off quite oddly, and you soon realize that it's one of those books that you have to read more of to understand. It's split up in chapters, then separated into periods of time that can vary from "Now" to a year before then. The book starts off with Nikki escaping the Everneath, the equivalent to the underworld and trying to attune back to her normal life before she gets pulled back under. While she's in the read world she has to deal with the people that she left: her family, friends, and Jack, her boyfriend and the love of her life.

The two main guys that Nikki has to choose between are Cole, an emotion sucking immortal, and Jack, the high school quarter back. Throughout the book her relationship with both of them grows as her time on the surface comes to a close. 

Personally I wasn't a big fan of the weird love triangle thing that went on, but I did like how her relationship with Jack grew stronger despite its obstacles. I wasn't exactly sure which guy I should root for in the beginning, but by the middle of the book most of your doubts are settled. Cole being the odd antihero and Jack being the lovable male protagonist. It's not exactly the easiest choice to make with neither being overly better than the other.

It's a modern retelling of the Persephone myth and a great escape from reality. It was a quick read for me and if your a fan of anything mythological or paranormal romance-y, check it and you might be pleasantly surprised.

Sneak Peak Sunday (5)

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)

by Julie Kagawa

Hardcover, 485 pages

Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by Harlequin Teen

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity. 

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. 

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters. 

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad. 

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike. 

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

I need this book like I need Ash and Megan to stay together. This book determines whether or not Kagawa can write another amazing after The Iron Fey Series. *Looks up to the sky* Please let it be amazing... please. But from what it looks like, it will be.

Sneak Peak Sunday (4)

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin 

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by Harper Collins

Everything is in ruins.
A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.
So what does Araby Worth have to live for?
Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.
But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.
And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Pretty Cover? Check. Beautiful Dresses? Check. Glittery Make-Up? Check. Cute guys? Check.
I wanna read it.