Review: Unspoken

Book: Unspoken
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Series: The Lynburn Legacy #1
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Publisher: Random House Books
Pages: 370
Source: publisher
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4/5

Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

There's "bizarre" and "different," and then there's this book... which is probably the best of both! I loooooooooooooooooooooved it so much! 

Unspoken is one of those books that make you slap your forehead and wonder why you hadn't read it earlier. I couldn't stop grinning, yet at the same time, I couldn't breathe when it got intense. It kind of has the feel to it of Beautiful Creatures — small town, fantastic cast, feared magical family, and rich gothic mystery — except I liked this much, much more! 

Kami and Jared make up a totally unorthodox pair that I seriously LOVE! ♥ They've never met before (they used to believe that the other was imaginary), but they've been able to talk into each other's minds since birth. People look at them strangely for stopping randomly to laugh at inner conversations, but Kami and Jared don't care. They've been best friends since forever, and they're like two halves of the same whole.  

And when they do finally meet, it's so realistic! They don't know what to be at first (Friends? Girlfriend/boyfriend? Enemies?), but I promise your heart will go for a wild ride. 

It's not just the romance that's so different from what I'm used to, but the characters themselves. Kami (witty teenage journalist extraordinaire) is strange and she knows it. But there's no angsty outcast drama here! She still has wonderful friends and a wonderful family despite her strangeness. And Jared... Jared is a leather-jacket-wearing bad boy who'd move heaven and Earth for Kami. My heart broke for him, ached for him, shone for him.

The wit is off the charts! Kami has such a smart mouth and the kind of reckless brain all reporters are born with; the banter had me cracking up constantly. Sarah Rees Brennan is a mastermind at creating a dynamic story filled with wonderfully unique characters, NONE of that hair-pulling cliche drama, and ALL of the intenseness of a great mystery.  

Brilliantly witty and fantastically strange, Unspoken is an amazing novel that brings everything we've been looking for in YA without even knowing it! With a hilarious cast, smile-inducing dialogue, and a mystery that turns pages on its own, this book is sure to be a stunner! :)  

BUY or BORROW?: This book was buy-worthy the moment Kami cracked her first joke! I want to own this for all of its hilarious one-liners and originality, and you should too! ;)

-Mimi

Review: The Sweetest Dark

Book: The Sweetest Dark
Author: Shana Abe
Series: N/A
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Pages: 352
Source: the wonderful Candace (Thank you so much! ♥)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4/5

“With every fiber of my being, I yearned to be normal. To glide through my days at Iverson without incident. But I’d have to face the fact that my life was about to unfold in a very, very different way than I’d ever envisioned. Normal would become forever out of reach.”

Lora Jones has always known that she’s different. On the outside, she appears to be an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl. Yet Lora’s been keeping a heartful of secrets: She hears songs that no one else can hear, dreams vividly of smoke and flight, and lives with a mysterious voice inside her that insists she’s far more than what she seems.

England, 1915. Raised in an orphanage in a rough corner of London, Lora quickly learns to hide her unique abilities and avoid attention. Then, much to her surprise, she is selected as the new charity student at Iverson, an elite boarding school on England’s southern coast. Iverson’s eerie, gothic castle is like nothing Lora has ever seen. And the two boys she meets there will open her eyes and forever change her destiny.

Jesse is the school’s groundskeeper—a beautiful boy who recognizes Lora for who and what she truly is. Armand is a darkly handsome and arrogant aristocrat who harbors a few closely guarded secrets of his own. Both hold the answers to her past. One is the key to her future. And both will aim to win her heart. As danger descends upon Iverson, Lora must harness the powers she’s only just begun to understand, or else lose everything she dearly loves.

Filled with lush atmosphere, thrilling romance, and ancient magic, The Sweetest Dark brilliantly captures a rich historical era while unfolding an enchanting love story that defies time.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

In my thesaurus for this book, The Sweetest Dark is synonymous to beautiful. Ordinary is not-a-fat-chance. And Shana Abe is something of a genius for creating a story so lush, so beautiful, and so different from your classic paranormal book! I just have to break it down! :') 

The world: Taking place in England during World War I, The Sweetest Dark is also set in the world of Shana Abe's adult Drakon series. Even though it may not be a big secret, I don't want to give away the type of creature that lurks around in this enchantingly bleak world (like Lora). But I can tell you that this isn't a vamp/were/witch/fey story!  

The heroine: At first, Lora comes off distant. She's hardened by her awful past, slow to trust and quick to reply with snark. But beneath her hard shell is a fragile girl made of so many layers, and I loved that part of her. I ended up loving ALL of her. She has a silent strength that's unmistakable, and my heart clicked with hers like that.  

The boys: Don't worry; you'll find that this isn't your traditional love triangle! Jesse a musical genius who doesn't care what other people think of him. Many think he's mute because he refuses to speak — except to Lora, and it's SO sweet when he does. ♥ Then there's Armand, the arrogant aristocrat who Lora distrusts immediately. Both boys play a huge part in Lora discovering her heritage, and both unravel in different ways. 

The awesome: I spent much of this book in a daze, confused almost, but the last fraction completely blew me away! I cried like a baby. To be honest, even though there are still so many things I don't understand (so many things I hope will be explored in a sequel *hint hint*), this is simply one of the most beautiful books I've ever read and it gets my heart for that!  

The epic conclusion: Written with some of the most gorgeous prose I've ever read and told with the essence of a heartbreaking Grimm fairytale, The Sweetest Dark is a captivatingly original story that takes the phrase "hauntingly beautiful" to extremes. My chest is still aching! 

BUY or BORROW?: I'm borrowing this ARC from Candace [insert showering of hearts!!], so of course I need to get a gorgeous finished copy for my shelf! :')  

-Mimi

Review: Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink

Book: Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink
Author: Stephanie Kate Strohm
Series: Pilgrims #1
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 204
Source: Thomas Allen & Son (Thank you so much!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4/5

A story of crushes, corsets, and conspiracy

Libby Kelting had always felt herself born out of time. No wonder the historical romance-reading, Jane Austen-adaptation-watching, all-around history nerd jumped at the chance to intern at Camden Harbor, Maine’s Oldest Living History Museum. 

But at Camden Harbor, Libby’s just plain out of place, no matter how cute she looks in a corset. Her cat-loving coworker wants her dead, the too-smart-for-his-own-good local reporter keeps pushing her buttons, her gorgeous sailor may be more shipwreck than dreamboat — plus Camden Harbor’s haunted. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, Libby learns that boys, like ghosts, aren’t always what they seem.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

I've read a lot of cute, smile-inducing, and totally fun books in my time — but Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink is undoubtedly one of the CUTEST on my list!  

I have this epic love for Libby. She's a hopeless romantic, a lover of fictional characters, a super-fashionable teenager, and a total history girl... In short, she's a whole lot like most of us! She's bubbly and sweet and ridiculous and fun. Some of the things she says and does are so adorable that you just want to jump in the book and hug her!  

But where Libby is a genius with historical facts and working with kids, she's clueless when it comes to boys and that's what makes this story so giggle-worthy! ♥ Cam seems like the perfect prince charming who can recite Shakespeare and looks extra hunky to boot; Garrett seems like the jerky reporter who is nothing more than the boy that lives on the same boat as her. But they're both more than their first impressions let on.  

What I love about Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink is that, even though it may be a little predictable, the romance is sweet and realistic in its own way. There's no eternal devotion, no I'll-die-if-I'm-not-with-you, and definitely no insta-love. It's very straightforward yet engaging, and I couldn't help but smile with the way the author tied everything together nicely (so it can be a stand-alone) yet made me glad that I'll be able to meet Libby again soon!  

Fun, adorable, and absolutely smile-inducing, Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink is the perfect romance with a hint of a ghostly mystery to read when you're seeking an escape from all the doom-and-gloom in YA! I can't wait to read more of Libby's misadventures. :)  

BUY or BORROW?: Do I love having this adorable book (inside and out) on my bookshelf? Umm, YES! When I'm looking for something quick and light, this is the book I'll be turning to! ;)  

-Mimi

Review: Tiger Lily

Book: Tiger Lily
Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
Series: N/A
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 292
Source: HarperCollins Canada (Thank you so much!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4/5

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything--her family, her future--to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

From the "New York Times" bestselling author of "Peaches" comes a magical and bewitching story of the romance between a fearless heroine and the boy who wouldn't grow up.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS: 

"Let me tell you something straight off. This is a love story, but not like any you've heard. The boy and girl are far from innocent.  Dear lives are lost. And good doesn't win. In some places, there is something ultimately good about endings. In Neverland, that is not the case..." -Tinker Bell

I grew up loving Disney's version of Peter Pan, wishing I could move to Neverland and never grow old. But this book only makes me love it infinitely MORE!   

This book is told, not from Tiger Lily's point of view, but Tinker Bell's which is actually SO brilliant! Not only is the empathic little faerie able to know Tiger Lily's thoughts, but she gets a glimpse into other people's too. We get to share Tinker Bell's admiration for Tiger Lily's undeniable courage. And we also get to know her motives, the reasons for little Tink's actions and jealousy, and suddenly everything makes so much more sense.  

Going into this book, I didn't care much for Tiger Lily. I knew her as the girl who loved Peter and nothing more. But Jodi Lynn Anderson made me care and ache and want to know more about this crow-feathered girl! By the end, I wanted to cry when it was over. I did cry — so much! As much as I love Wendy, part of me wished she wouldn't show up so Peter and Tiger Lily could get a HEA. But my powers of compulsion can only go so far. :')

Behind the scenes, Tiger Lily has a horrible life. She's arranged to marry the awful Giant and everyone is scared of her. That's why she craves those nightly escapades with Peter, who is wonderful and sweet in every way. With him, there's adventure and life and promise. He's so different from the boy I thought I knew — Less innocent? More fierce? — but this side of him is just as beautiful. ♥ 

My only complaint is that this book starts off slow and carries a similar pace throughout. Until Tiger Lily meets Peter, I was never completely pulled under and even then some parts felt dragged on. But the ending, the beauty, and the heartache makes up for it!

Tiger Lily is raw and beautiful and heartbreaking and sad. It took my heart, squeezed it into a tiny little ball, then let it fly. Because if you've seen Peter's story, then you know how Tiger Lily's end — and it doesn't end well. But I promise that her story is well worth the read! 

BUY or BORROW?: If you want to pledge your love to Peter Pan or are even just a little bit curious about the girl with the crow feather in her hair, then you have to buy this book! :) 

-Mimi

Review: Purity

Book: Purity
Author: Jackson Pearce
Series: N/A
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Pages: 218
Source: Hachette Book Group Canada (Thank you so much!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4/5

A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.

Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS: 

Warning: This book will make you laugh! You'll be smiling so much that your cheeks hurt at some points, and at others you won't be able to help aching for Shelby as she learns difficult life lessons without a mom to guide her, which no kid should have to do.

Shelby has 5 weeks to lose her virginity before she has to vow against impurity at the Princess Ball. The idea may sound juvenile at first, but it's actually NOT. It's sweet and honest. Shelby is bound by three promises she vowed to her mother before she died of cancer, and even when it's difficult sometimes, she's devoted to following them — always. So when two of the promises conflict, she has to rush to fill that loophole before it's too late!

I want to give Shelby a medal of epic snark; she was such a fun, adorable, and heartwarming character! Unlike most teenagers, she takes her promises seriously. But like most teenagers, she's flawed and quirky and ridiculously fun. Along with her best friends, Jonas and Ruby, they make one hilarious trio that you'll be rooting for until the very end.

This is a book about family and friendship, love and loss — and yes, sex, but it's not explicit at all so I feel comfortable recommending it to all growing teens, adults, and any fan of Jackson Pearce! She expertly writes about the strained, awkward, yet totally sweet relationship between a daughter and a father who are trying to reconnect.

Absolutely hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt, Purity is a book that has the heart, soul, and quirky fun necessary for a great read. I finished it in one sitting and itched to pick it up again immediately after, all for the reason that it was so much more than I expected! :)

BUY or BORROW?: This is one short and sweet book that will always be able to warm your heart, even on those darkest days! I don't care what people say, but this is buy-worthy in my opinion! ;)

-Mimi

Review: Dark Kiss

Book: Dark Kiss
Author: Michelle Rowan
Series: Nightwatchers #2
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 348
Source: Kismet Book Tours (Thank you so much!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4/5

I don't do dangerous. 

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

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

When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

You have to admit it: This gorgeously dark cover is probably the first thing that piqued your interest. But even though I've been burned by stunning covers before, I'm happy to report that Dark Kiss isn't a deceiving one! :)  

In Dark Kiss, two angels and two demons are sent down to Earth to work together on a mission to get rid of the grays (soulless beings who can drain the souls out of others through kisses). This is one of those books that blurs the line between good and bad. Whether you go to heaven or hell is really like a lottery with 50/50 odds — and that makes it so much harder to know who to trust and who to push under the bus!

Sam may seem like your regular girl on the surface but she has a heart of gold underneath. Even though she's far from perfect, she's also incredibly determined, loyal, and admirably brave with the way she deals with the meddling angel/demon team. I only wish we'd gotten to know the characters more — not just Sam, but the angels, demons, and her best friend Carly as well. 

Bishop isn't your average angel! Dark and brooding, he harbors a mysterious past that only makes him even more alluring. And even though there's no love triangle in this book, trust me when I say that this is one where you actually want one! ♥ Kraven, one of the demons on the four-man team, is the snarky, rude, and totally inappropriate character that adds hilarious commentary at the perfect times. I alternated between the urge to smack him and kiss him.

With Michelle's fantastic writing style, a sweet romance, and the original and intriguing angel/demon lore, Dark Kiss is the first book I've ever read by Michelle Rowan but it definitely won't be the last! She's a one-sit kind of author, that's for sure! :)

BUY or BORROW?: I'm probably biased since I'm buying a copy just to have this gorgeous cover on my shelf, but I think that this book is well worth the read and buy! ;) 

-Mimi

Review: Sweet Evil

Book: Sweet Evil

Author: Wendy Higgins

Series: N/A

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 445

Source: HarperCollins Canada (Thank you so much!)

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters

Stars: 4/5

What if there were teens whose lives depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.  

Tenderhearted Southern girl, Anna Whitt, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip to meet her father forces Anna to face the reality that hope and love are not options for her kind. When she confronts her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns? 

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS: 

This has to be one of the best angel books to ever hit the shelves! Not just because the angel lore was completely original or because there's a boy with an English accent, but because Wendy Higgins must be an angel in disguise since she writes them so well.

In Sweet Evil, the sole purpose of Nephilim is to be a bad influence to humans. But that's not as easy as it sounds when the angel hierarchy is so complicated. When we learn everything along with Anna in the beginning, it's hard not to say, "Wow!" because the lore is captivating. And the demon action, especially in the end? It will give you chills!

At first I didn't know what to think of Anna. She seemed too good and too sweet at times to be real. But she grew on me so fast and showed how even though she wasn't outwardly bad-ass, she was still one of the strongest, most determined heroines out there. She stood her ground when most girls wouldn't have, and I ended up adoring her completely.

Her romance with the English-accented Kaidan Rowe (son of the demon of Lust) may take front and center once they take off on a road trip together to find out more about Anna's past, but it's in no way overwhelming! ♥ It's the sweet, not-so-innocent pull between opposites that will make you grin. Along with the fantastic interactions with their demonic fathers and with their friends, Sweet Evil is filled with well-written relationships.

Both sweet and sensual, Sweet Evil is an angel book that will steal your breath, your heart, and maybe a little bit of your innocence at the exact same time. It took a few chapters to hook me in (although that may have to do with the fact I read it after a particularly epic book), but in the end, it was AWESOME and I'd definitely recommend it!

BUY or BORROW?: English boy fan? Buy it! Angel book fan? Buy it! All-books-in-general fan? Buy it! I think you know where I'm going with this... ;)

-Mimi

P.S. On a side note, if I was a Nephilim girl born from one of the twelve Dukes (for the seven deadly sins plus a few additional ones)... I'd probably be a glutton for books, if that's possible! x)

Review: The Hunted

Book: The Hunted
Author: Kristy Berridge
Series: N/A
Release Date: April 30, 2011
Publisher: Sid Harta Publishers
Pages: 582
Source: author (Thank you so much, Kristy!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository
Stars: 4/5

Elena Manory is by no means an ordinary teenage girl. Being born with the ability to heal herself from any injury, and with the knowledge that on her eighteenth birthday she will become a Vampire, Elena is aware that she is more than a little different from other girls her age. 

It isn’t until she meets William Granville, an alluring and impossibly handsome vampire, that she begins to question her destiny and what secrets the Institute of Magical Intervention and her adopted family have withheld—secrets that could change the fates of not only her own life, but of the lives of all the immortals. 

As events spiral out of control, William may be the only person Elena can place her trust in. He, and Elena’s magical family, must fight to save her, joining forces to defeat a common, deadly foe. For William, it is his chance to save the girl that he has searched eternity to find.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

When it comes down to another vampire book, you'd think we've seen it all — but not until you've read The Hunted!  

In this world, the vampires are in a tense alliance with the Protectors (warriors who can wield magic) to fight against the vanators — also known as rabid, viscous, and bloodthirsty werewolves. Just like an awesome vampire story should be, it's different and bloody and intense and gruesome, but it also has moments of snark that relieve some of the tension.

As a stubborn, mouthy, and bad-ass born vampire, Elena is the kind of girl you admire in all situations! Even though she may be reckless sometimes, she still stays smart, focused, and completely realistic in a way that makes it easy to sympathize with her, even when she's kicking butt and leaving you in awe.  

But Elena isn't the only character you'll. There's her "adoptive" brother Lucas, who's so hilarious and brotherly that you just have to adore him. Each of the Protectors have their own personalities too, and so do the vampires. Especially William: tall, dark, and mysterious vamp extraordinaire. He may not suck your blood but he'll definitely take your heart! ♥ 

One of my favourite things about this book — besides its non-stop action and hilarious one-liners — has to be the way Elena interacts with her family. Even though they're not technically related, her banter with her Protector parents and brother is so fun and natural. They fight, argue, and pick on each other like real family, but in the end you can tell that they'd do anything to protect each other. 

This book is a little bit lengthy and has a few editing errors, but it's nothing that takes away from the awesomeness of this book. All in all, The Hunted is an original, action-packed, and engaging Aussie-based vampire story that you shouldn't miss! :)  

BUY or BORROW?: Love vampires? Love awesome heroines? This is the book for you! 

-Mimi

You can find the rest of the tour HERE at Missy's Reads and Reviews. Kristy Berridge will also be back next week for a guest post about writing with an excerpt from The Hunted, and you don't want to miss it! :)

Review: Belles

Book: Belles
Author: Jen Calonita
Series: N/A
Release Date: April 10, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Pages: 356
Source: publisher (Thank you so much, HBGC!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4/5

Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. 

Isabelle is taken away from everything she's ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn't go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn't thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates' Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls' lives forever.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS: 

I've always been more of a paranormal or fantasy girl (preferring made up worlds to our boring old realistic one), but I think that this was exactly the kind of contemporary book that I've been looking for to get me back into the genre — and I kind of want to hug it for that!

Belles zeroes on the lives of two completely different girls who are inexplicably linked: Isabelle (Izzie), the spunky swimmer who comes from the "wrong side of town," and Mirabelle (Mira), the privileged social butterfly who's still finding out who she is. Set in a beachy Southern town, it may not be a fantasy book but it's still kind of magical in its own way.

I loved both of these girls from beginning to end! Even when they made mistakes and trusted the wrong people, they were realistic and fun and easy to relate to. Izzie didn't take crap from anybody, and Mira surprised me by being more artistic and confident than I expected.

And of course no good contemporary is complete without its sweet boys (one of which is a surfer)! The romance was adorable, but it also didn't take away from the surprisingly touching plot. You get to grow to love each of the characters just like you do with Izzie and Mira, and the benefit of this being a standalone is that you get a nicely wrapped up ending.

Filled with a fun cast of characters and one life-changing secret, Belles is a book you'll want to read while sitting by the seaside and burying your feet in the sand. It finds the balance flawlessly between sweet but not too fluffy, drama-filled but not a soap opera, and inspiring but not preaching. I just loved it! :)

BUY or BORROW?: On top of having such a beautiful cover (I probably had to stare at it in my hands for a few minutes — it's even prettier in person!), I'm definitely taking this book with me the next time I suntan on the beach. Can't do that with a library book, right? ;)

-Mimi

Review: Slide

Book: Slide
Author: Jill Hathaway
Series: Slide #1
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins
Pages: 256
Source: publisher (Thank you so much, HCC!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Publisher
Stars: 4/5

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

Wow! Slide defines what an awesome murder mystery novel should be like: twisting, original, somewhat creepy yet completely unexpected. I couldn't put this down until I was certain who the killer was, and in this rare case, it wasn't until the very end of the book!  

Fast-paced and enticing, this is the kind of novel you should clear your schedule for because you won't be able to stop! Not only is this one of the most surprising mysteries I've read to date (and as a girl who dreams of being the next Nancy Drew, I've read a lot!), but Slide also incorporates a really cool supernatural element too.  

Our fantastic, spunky, and pink-haired heroine Vee can slide into the minds of other people. She can literally see things from a person's eyes just by touching an item that belonged to them. Vee is such a multi-layered and realistically flawed character that I felt for her from the beginning, and connected with her even more as the story progressed.  

Each of the secondary characters — from Vee's little sister to her dad to her best friend Rollins (who was an amazingly genuine character!) — had their own little mysteries surrounding them, and that made it all the more intense to read. You also can't help but second-guess the incredibly sweet new boy, Zane, just because the sweet new boys are always suspicious.  

I bet that 99.9% of you won't guess the killer correctly if you were to stick with one person! My only wish is that the mystery could've been wrapped up a bit better because mysteries should be able to stand on their own (although that doesn't mean this end on a cliffhanger at all!), but other than that, Slide is definitely one of the better YA mysteries out there! ;) 

BUY or BORROW?: This book is a must-have for anyone who loves a great mystery — especially a riveting murder mystery with a cool supernatural element, awesome characters, and a twist at the end that will throw you off your feet! :) 

-Mimi

Review: Fairy Blues + Giveaway!

Book: Fairy Blues
Author: J.L. Bryan
Series: Songs of Magic #2
Release Date: January 20, 2012
Publisher: jlbryanbooks.com
Pages: 229 (paperback)
Source: author (Thank you so much, Jeff!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Website
Stars: 4/5

The sequel to Fairy Metal Thunder.

With their enchanted instruments charming the crowds, the Assorted Zebras attract interest from record producers, and soon they’re off to cut their first album and music video. Jason and his friends don’t know they’ve just become pawns in a sinister plot by a cabal of evil fairies...

Meanwhile, Aoide and her band pursue a new strategy for regaining their stolen instruments, one that will take them into the most haunted region in Faerie.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:

Three words to describe this book: fun, fantastic, and absolutely BRILLIANT. This book is exactly why I love self-published authors. Fairy Blues was just so filled with those smiling-inducing moments you love to read about, and I couldn't get enough!

Picking up where the first book left off (after the attack of a unicorn/dragon), the Assorted Zebras — just your average teenage garage band who happen to have a bunch of magical fairy instruments on their side — are back and better than ever. The fairies are still trying to retrieve their stolen instruments, but that's not exactly easy when the band keeps getting more popular by the second.

The strongest point in this series will always be how effortlessly the author crafted a cast this lovable. They're realistic and funny and easy to relate to. Not just the quirky teenage band, but the fairies too! And the sweet romance between between Jason and fellow band member, Erin, was so adorkable that I couldn't help but smile every time they were together.   

J.L. Bryan has done it again! He crafted a fun, hilarious, and extremely enchanting story that made it impossible to stop reading. I was so enamoured by the story and characters that I lost two hours of sleep before I could register that my cheeks were sore from smiling so much.    

Fairy Blues is that bright spot in a sea of darkly centered novels. There are descriptions of Ireland, and Dracula's castle, and hungry jack-o-lanterns that rocked my socks off. You will definitely finish this in one sitting. I loved every second of it! :) 

BUY or BORROW?: You really want this book on your shelf! I'm crazy in love with this adorable series, and I think you will be too!  

-Mimi 

And because J.L. Bryan is incredibly awesome, he's offering an e-copy of the first book, Fairy Metal Thunder, to one lucky winner! Trust me when I say that you want to read it! :) 

Just fill out the form below: 



Have an amazing day, you guys! ♥

Review: Switched

Book: Switched
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: Trylle Trilogy #1
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 293
Source: KPL
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository
Stars: 4/5

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

When I first read the synopsis for this book, I thought it was going to be just another story about faery changelings — but it surprised me in the best possible way! Switched was still mystically beautiful in a way that was reminiscent of faeries, but it was about spellbinding trolls instead.  

These are not the wild, erratic, and live-under-a-bridge trolls you're used to — instead, they're called Trylle and they're beautiful, magical, and so incredibly fascinating!  I was captivated by the Trylle lore immediately, from their abilities to their monarchy and way of life.  

I adore Wendy. She's the perfect strong yet vulnerable, hard-willed yet completely sweet heroine that makes it so easy to connect with a book. She's far from perfect, but her imperfections are what make her real. The rest of the cast (like Rhys, and Willa, and even Queen Elora) each have their own distinct personalities that make it interesting too!  

And Finn? There's just something about those "strong and silent" types that draws girls in — I loved him so much! ♥ Tentative and sweet, their romance was one that I fell in love with the more I read. Between the fast-paced plot, unique lore, and beautiful setting, you will fly through this book in one sitting and find yourself spellbound in Amanda Hocking's world! 

Fascinating and beautiful, Switched is one refreshing story that's definitely worth the read! I can't believe it took me so long to pick it up but I'm SO glad I did. Now I'm desperately craving to find out what happens in the second book of the trilogy, Torn! :) 

BUY or BORROW?: With its gorgeous cover and original lore, why wouldn't you want this book on your shelf? I can already tell I'll be in love with this series! ;)

-Mimi

Review: Incarnate

Book: Incarnate
Author: Jodi Meadows
Series: New Soul #1
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Source: publisher (Thank you so much, HC!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Website | Publisher
Stars: 4/5

New soul
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why. 

No soul
Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame? 

Heart
Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all? 

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

(summary taken by Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

The gorgeous cover may have been the first thing that caught my eye, but I promise that it wasn't the only thing that kept my attention — Incarnate is more than just a pretty cover!  

My absolute favourite thing about this book has to be the world that Jodi Meadows created. Within the pages, there's a whole kingdom of souls who are reincarnated over and over again. I was constantly fascinated by how creative the author's mind was. Dragons? She's got them! Sylphs? They're in this book too! It was an endless cycle of creativity WOWs.

After being physically and mentally abused by her mother for 18 years (and shunned by her society for just as long), I adored Ana almost instantly! She's so strong for someone who's been through so much. Even though it's hard to connect with her at times because of her protective shell, Ana opens her heart a little more near the end and that's what makes me adore her even more.  

And that leads me to Sam, who is honestly the kind of sweet guy we're missing so much of in YA! He didn't care that some people called Ana a nosoul — he just loved her for being her, and I loved that about him. Their romance was so pure and sweet and "aww"-worthy.

Some things (like the fact that he'd been a girl in some previous lives!) felt strange and off at first, but it didn't bother me as much as I expected. Reincarnation is a tricky subject to approach and I thought that Jodi Meadows handled it gracefully!  

Beautifully written and wonderfully crafted, Incarnate is one outstandingly original utopian book that you won't want to miss! It ends a little rushed, but I can see so much potential in this series and I'm really excited to see where it goes! :)  

BUY or BORROW?: If you're looking for another breathtaking and unique book to add to your bookshelf (and 2012 is filled with them!), Incarnate is definitely one you need to get!  

-Mimi

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Book: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pages: 418
Source: bookstore
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Website
Stars: 4/5

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

Multiply creativity by a million and you have this book! It's beautiful, breathtaking, and the kind of novel that makes you wonder, "How can one author be so clever?" I loved it! 

I picked this book up from the hype alone and I'm so glad I did! Daughter of Smoke and Bone takes originality to a whole new level — with its teeth-collecting devils, devious angels, and a world so beautifully twisted that I couldn't help but be entranced.  

Along with having such gorgeous prose, Laini Taylor's characters came to life like magic in a circus! They were wild and magical and enchanting to the core. It wasn't only our fantastic, artistic, and artfully clever heroine, Karou (with her peacock blue hair and sly smile), but the secondary cast too! Issa, Zuzana, Brimstone, AKIVA (♥)... Prepare to fall in love!  

I loved that the line between good and evil wasn't so clear; I loved that you could never really predict what was going to happen next. I didn't love how some parts felt dragged on, but my adoration for everything else almost completely overpowered that.  

Beautifully written and perfectly crafted, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is undoubtedly one of the best takes on the angels-versus-demons feud out there! Watch out, everyone, because Laini Taylor is going to take this world by storm! :)  

BUY or BORROW?: Once upon a time, I had money in my wallet. Then I found this book... and I didn't. x) Definitely a book I love having on my shelf! Buy it for sure! 

-Mimi

Review: Pure

Book: Pure
Author: Julianna Baggott
Series: Pure #1
Release Date: February 8, 2012
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 448
Source: publisher (Thanks so much, HBG Canada!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Website | Publisher
Stars: 4/5

Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet, she thinks about what is lost--how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

Wow. This book is a STUNNER. It's dark and disturbing and creepy-cool, but it's also so darn fascinating! I don't think I've ever read a book like it before, and I don't think I ever will again! 

Set after the Detonations (which caused mutations that merged inanimate objects to some people's bodies), Pure takes place in a post-apocalyptic world that twists the definition of "dystopian" and molds it into something darker, something terrifying, something that makes me so thankful I don't live there and captivated at the same time. 

Admittedly, Pure starts out so slowly that I had trouble getting into it at first, but as soon as I was immersed in the world, I was captured like a butterfly in a net! I empathized with Pressia more and more as the story went on — because can you imagine how awful it would be to have a doll face for a hand? — and the other layered characters took my breath away, too!

As dark and detailed as it is, Pure may not be for everybody, but I really hope you give it a shot anyways! I didn't expect to love it this much but I did. Julianna Baggot has such beautiful prose, and her imagination makes you wish you'd thought of this yourself.  

Ominous and dangerous and probably one of the most vivid books I've ever read, Pure is a novel that blew my mind continuously. I'm really excited to see what the next book will bring!

BUY or BORROW?: This is a hard question because as much as I adored this book, I know that some people will love it and some people won't. So for now, I'll say pick it up first and buy it after, if that makes sense! ;) 

-Mimi

Review: Vanish

Book: Vanish
Author: Sophie Jordan
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 294
Source: KPL
Stars: 4/5

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:

A warning before you start this book: You won't be able to put it down! I made the mistake of starting it before I went to bed and ended up staying awake all night just to finish it. I've always loved dragons and this series only makes me love them more! 

Vanish picks up right where Firelight left off — the gap isn't even a day! — with Jacinda and her family going back to the pride. The plot is so fast-paced and full of twists that I stayed on the edge of my seat, and there are a bunch of revelations that made my jaw drop.

I honestly adore Jacinda! I've read so many reviews that say she's indecisive and angsty, but I think that her flaws and actions make her feel so much more real and easy to relate to. And I swear, this romance will be the end of me one day. I LOVED the (non) draki-hunter Will to the moon and beyond, but even I have to admit that Cassian had his moments! ♥

With a fast-paced plot, a quick writing style, and tons of surprises, Vanish is definitely a one-sit read! If you haven't started this series yet, then I definitely recommend that you do because this is a cool series you don't want to miss! :)   

BUY or BORROW?: Am I the only one who is IN LOVE with these covers, scales and all?? I think this series is worth being purchased (and not just for the pretty covers)!

-Mimi

Review: Silence

Book: Silence
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 438
Source: KPL
Stars: 4/5

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

After the jaw-dropping way that Crescendo ended, I had to rush to get my hands on a copy of this book. And I loved it! Thrilling and enticing and incredibly entertaining, Silence was a third book kept my attention until the last page was turned!

Picking up only a few weeks after Crescendo's abrupt end, Silence starts with Nora not remembering anything since before she met Patch. I LOVE how Fitzpatrick incorporated memory loss into her story — we got to experience Nora and Patch connecting all over again, and it added a hint of a mystery sort of feel that kept us even more intrigued!

We also get to learn a bit more about Fitzpatrick's cool angel lore, with its body-possessing fallen angels and army-building Nephilim. There was a lot of foreshadowing to war in this book! And with the way it ended, I'm sure there's going to be an EPIC conclusion in the last one!

Fast-paced and gripping, Silence was an awesome installment to the Hush, Hush saga! You should definitely pick this one up. And yes, for Patch-lovers like me out there, there are plenty of swoon-worthy scenes (though I have to admit that I'm crushing on Scottie the hottie too!). ♥

YAY to Becca Fitzpatrick for making a fourth book! It can't come fast enough! :)

BUY or BORROW?: This would make a perfect edition to your Becca Fitzpatrick collection! A must-have for anyone who has read this series, or wants to start. 

-Mimi

Review: Dearly, Departed

Book: Dearly, Departed
Author: Lia Habel
Release Date: October 18, 2011
Publisher: Del Rey
Pages: 368
Source: publisher
Stars: 4/5

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

I've actually never been the biggest fan of zombies before. But when I first found out that this wasn't just any zombie book — but one that took place in a futuristic world with Victorian era elements — I just had to check it out. And it was nothing short of awesome! :) 

The whole idea of mixing together so many cool elements was genius on Lia Habel's part! She incorporated cool futuristic technology with the walking dead and poofy dresses perfectly. There was something about how she built her world that made me want to live there but not at the same time.  

I'll admit that Dearly, Departed started off a little slow for me, but once the action picked up, I'm so glad I stuck with it! I adored Nora and Bram with all my heart, and how sweet and "awww!"-worthy their romance was. And even though five different first-person narratives seemed like too much at times, it helped to fill in the gaps and I really loved seeing Nora through Bram's eyes — so sweet!

PLUS: The zombies weren't all evil. Loved them!

Overall, Dearly, Departed was a great edition to the zombie, dystopian, and Victorian era genres! It was cool and original and had some absolutely HILARIOUS one-liners at the most surprising times. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! 

BUY or BORROW?: Gorgeous cover + original story + a kick-butt heroine with a gun = a book you totally want to have on your shelf! ;) 

-Mimi

Review: Intertwined

Book: Intertwined
Author: Gena Showalter
Release Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 440
Source: borrowed from Lexie
Stars: 4/5

Most sixteen-year-olds have friends.

Aden Stone has four human souls living inside him:

One can time travel.
One can raise the dead.
One can possess another human.
One can tell the future.

Everyone thinks he's crazy, which is why he's spent his entire life shuffled between mental institutions and juvie. All of that is about to change, however. For months Aden has been having visions of a beautiful girl—a girl who carries centuries-old secrets. A girl who will either save him or destroy him.

Together they'll enter a dark world of intrigue and danger…but not everyone will come out alive. 

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

Can I have the sequel now?? 

Intertwined was definitely a one-sit read! From the very beginning — when one of the four souls living inside Aden accidentally raises a cemetery — you know you're in for a totally awesome ride. The whole concept of it was original and complicated and tons of fun!

Plus, the originality extended to the plot which I really loved. This whole book was a breath of fresh air (with a twisting plot, an intriguing world, and lovable characters), especially that there were two sets of romances instead of one love triangle (and I can almost bet you'll guess the pairings wrong the first time around LOL).

You know you have an awesome cast when one guy has four hilarious souls living in him (Aden), one girl is a super-sweet vampire princess (Victoria), another girl can sort of counteract Aden's ability in a way (Mary Ann), and another guy is a wicked hot werewolf bodyguard (Riley, I love you! ♥). Together they made the book even more enjoyable to read. 

Fast-paced, fun, and entertaining all the way through, Intertwined is a book that will have you laughing in one moment and almost crying in the next. I couldn't put it down, and I'm so excited to read the next installments in the series! 

BUY or BORROW?: If you're a lover of original paranormal fantasies, you should definitely add this to your collection! :)

-Mimi