Review: A Monster Calls

Book: A Monster Calls
Author: Patrick Ness
Series: N/A
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Publisher: Walker Books
Pages: 215
Source: bookstore
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5/5 (PERFECTION ♥)

The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

I never thought a picture book would make it onto my favourites list... but I was proved wrong a million times over by this story!

A Monster Calls is brilliant to say the least. As much as I claim to be an avid reader, I don't think a book has ever affected me as much as this one did. It stole my heart, broke it, and mended it all in the span of 215 beautiful pages. It's one of those books that change you deep inside and make you realize things that make you see things that make you...cry.  

My heart breaks for Conor. His mother is dying and he's being picked on at school. But he's probably the strongest, most brilliantly honest character ever. I cried for him just as much as I cried for everyone else who has to go through what he does.

“Stories don't always have happy endings."

This stopped him. Because they didn't, did they? That's one thing the monster had definitely taught him.

This book deals with cancer in its truest form. I couldn't help but be amazed at how perfectly, flawlessly, and beautifully Patrick Ness handled everything. From the way everyone treated Conor differently even though he just wished they'd stop with the pity, to the way it's impossible to know how to feel when someone you love it dying... It was truly genius. 

I cried SO MUCH when I read this book for the first time; I still cry whenever I read it again. And I'll re-read this when the best person I know dies and I'm sure I'll be bawling after that as well. A Monster Calls may be about cancer, but it's also about love, and loss, and grief, and pain. It's about nightmares trying to tell you something other than to be afraid. 

With a heartwrenchingly true storyline, darkly beautiful illustrations, and prose that tops even the best of writers, A Monster Calls is honestly perfection in its purest form. It's one of the most touching and heartbreaking books I've ever read, and I'd recommend it to absolutely everyone — especially if you know someone with cancer like I do. ♥

BUY or BORROW?: Please, please, PLEASE skip the borrow and go straight for the buy with this book! And don't buy the e-book because then you don't get to see all the beautiful illustrations. The gorgeous hardback is the only way to go!  

-Mimi

Review: My Life Next Door

Book: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Series: N/A
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Publisher: June 14, 2012
Pages: 395
Source: bookstore
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4.95/5

A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS: 

FACT #1: I'm not a contemporary girl. I love paranormal books way more than my realistic ones; worlds that don't really exist enthrall me way more than real ones do. Because those supernatural books are usually more badass, intense, and fun than everyday romances.

FACT #2: My Life Next Door totally voids the first fact!!

Where can I even start with how much I loved this book? How much it took me surprise, grabbed my heart, and wouldn't let go? This is NOTHING like your average contemporary read! It's still sweet and romantic and funny and brilliant. But I thought I had a good guess to what the huge plot twist would be, and boy was I wrong! I didn't expect it at all, which doesn't happen with me and contemporaries very often.

And the cast — I loved every single character! They were all so perfectly, brilliantly, wonderfully written. There's Sam, who I ached for, because she grows up with the pressure to be perfect from a mother who doesn't  know the definition of fun. Then there's Jase, and God, I loved him so much! ♥ He wears a leather jacket, drives a motorcycle, and is the boy next door... but he is undoubtedly the SWEETEST book boy I've ever met. Ever. I'm not even kidding!

(I already have our wedding colours picked out. He's seriously WONDERFUL!)

But I can't forget mentioning the entire Garrett family! Made up of eight totally individual children and two adoring parents, the Garretts are my dream family. Loud, fun, hilarious, loving. Obviously Jase is my favourite, but George — Jase's adorable 4-year-old brother who watches too much Discovery Channel for his own good — was a close favourite! :')

The humor! The wit! The complexity! This book was funny like I didn't expect, and heartwarming in ways I never imagined. The only reason (and I mean ONLY) that this book gets a 4.95 instead of a full 5 stars is because I felt like the ending didn't wrap up enough.

With one of the funnest contemporary casts of all time, an extremely sweet and beautiful romance, and a twist that will be a surprise, My Life Next Door is undoubtedly one of the best contemporaries of all time — and one of my all-time favourites as well!

BUY or BORROW?: Why are you even thinking about this question?? I bought this book on a whim and it became a favourite. Start saving up your change because this is WAY worth the buy — I'm actually a little tempted to buy two copies!

-Mimi

P.S. My older sister read this book in two days... and she hasn't read a novel in six months! Now try and TELL ME that the amazingness of this book is just in my head! x)

Review: Before I Wake

Book: Before I Wake
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #6
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 339
Source: publisher (Thank you so much!!!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5/5

I died on a Thursday — killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul.

The good news? He didn't get it.

The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school...

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life....

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:

5 Ways You Can Tell You're Reading a Soul Screamers Book: 

1. It's about bean sidhes (pronounced banshees). I mean, what other series can use girls screaming for death in the most amazing way possible? Not one that I know!
2. You want to scream, and cry, and hug the book AND Rachel Vincent for writing it! Reading this series is like going on a never-ending emotional roller coaster — and I mean that in the BEST possible way!
3. The author isn't afraid to put her characters through hell and back. I'm absolutely serious! These characters go through SO MUCH that I wonder how they could possibly still be sane... and I also wonder if Rachel Vincent may be an evil genius!
4. You never, ever, EVER expect what's going to happen next. Maybe the first few books, you could guess a bit. But by this time around, there are so many twists and turns and surprises that break my heart, and I can never guess a single one!
5. TOD HUDSON. ♥ Hilarious reaper, snarky bad boy, totally adorable, and probably one of my favourite book boys of all time. Need I say more?? :')

Warning: May contain spoilers from previous books. 

I think it's safe to say that the Soul Screamers series is one of my all-time favourites, and I don't think there's anything Rachel Vincent could do to change that! 

In the previous book, Kaylee died. But now she's brought back to life and given immortality at age sixteen — not as a reaper like her undead boyfriend and snarky sweetheart Tod, but as a collector who's job is to reclaim stolen souls from hellions and rogue reapers.

I admire/love/look-up-to Kaylee more than you could imagine! She's selfless, caring, and has a huge hero complex, but she's also snarky, strong, and badass when she needs to be. And Rachel Vincent doesn't just say it — she shows it through countless obstacles and situations. Especially in this book, where Kaylee has to cope with death, her strength just shines.

And it's not just Kaylee who's amazing. There's Tod (OMG, he's the main reason why I love snarky boys ♥), and the rest of the cast is honest-to-God perfection too! Then there's the story, which also blows my mind, and I've always loved the Soul Screamers world. Bean sidhes, reapers, hellions, necromancers, and more!

Each book just gets better and better! You can never expect what's going to happen next and your heart always ends up crumpled by the end of the book. But the heartache is SO worth it. This series makes me want to be a better person, just because Kaylee's actions inspire me. (I mean, she still goes to school even though she's undead, just to protect her friends and classmates. Who else can say they would do that??)

AMAZING is an understatement and ORIGINAL just isn't a strong enough word to describe this. Before I Wake was an amazing installment to a series that doesn't know the meaning of predictable. An absolute and definite recommendation!

BUY or BORROW?: The only reason you'd consider this question is if you haven't read the previous books yet... in which I say you need to BUY THIS ENTIRE SERIES! The first few books are available in the first omnibus already, which should give you a good jump start, and the second omnibus should be in stores soon too! :)

-Mimi

Epic Review: Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross!

Book: Kill Me Softly
Author: Sarah Cross
Series: N/A (Mimi is working to change this!!)
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pages: 331
Source: bookstore
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5 (million kajillion billion trillion!)/5

Mirabelle's past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents' tragic deaths to her guardians' half-truths about why she can't return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday—and discovers a world she never could have imagined.

In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems—the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who's a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairy tales aren't pretty things, and they don't always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy tale curses of their own... brothers who share a dark secret. And she'll find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:
 

**MY FAVOURITE BOOK OF 2012!**

Warning: This will not be your average review. I loved it too much for that.

Kill Me Softly is Brilliant with a capital B, Adorable with a capital A, and PERFECTION in all caps! It's easily my favourite book of the entire year. I loved it so much that, when I went back to skim a few passages to write this review, I ended up re-reading the entire book! Let me just show you what my copy looks like right now: 

I never, ever put sticky notes in a book — I just never have the time! (Being a blogger and all.) That's how you know that I have to love a book to EPIC proportions to want to take the time to go back, re-read it, and mark up my copy like this. ♥

So instead of attempting to be professional about this (in which I would fail), I'm going to list Five Epic Reasons why Kill Me Softly deserves to be read by everyone! :)

1. The World

This is not your average fairytale re-telling, and it doesn't deal with your average Disney fairytales either. It's based on the original Grimm fairytales, where Cinderella's stepsisters cut off parts of their feet to fit into the glass slipper, and happily ever afters are uncommon things. 

In Beau Rivage, the people are cursed with a fairytale. They know their fate before it happens. Some are meant to fall into an enchanted sleep; some are cursed to cough up jewels; others are forced to do unspeakable fairytale things. It's addicting and enchanting and utterly enthralling. It's the most original portrayal of fairytales that this fairytale-loving girl has read in a long time! :)

2. The Breathtaking Storyline

Kill Me Softly starts with Mira running away from the home of her godmothers to find her parents's grave in Beau Rivage. All on her own, she meets two brothers: One snarky bad boy who all but harasses her into leaving (Blue), and one kind and sweet boy who offers her a place to stay (Felix). Of course she's going to trust the nicer one.

But first impressions mean nothing in Beau Rivage. 

Everything is unbelievable and believable at the exact same time. Unbelievable because some things are so bizarre, so out-of-this-world, so how-did-she-come-up-with-this worthy that it blows your mind... yet believable because Sarah Cross writes it in a way that makes you think, "Oh yeah. Having a kiss that kills? It happens every day in Beau Rivage!" 

There are so many things I didn't expect... and so many things to love! ♥

3. Mirabelle Lively & Co.

Mirabelle — also known as Mira and fantastic girl extraordinaire — is not your average fairytale heroine. She's stubborn and determined and can hold her own in a game of knee-slapping snark. Mira brought smiles to my face and an ache to my heart. I loved her so much!

I know some people were having problems with some decisions she makes, but I thought it was all in her character that made her real. With all the circumstances surrounding her sheltered past and everyone around her unable to tell her what was going on, her frustration was completely justified and her aching was palpable.

     "At home," she began haltingly, "when my godmothers were gone, I used to pretend that my parents were there. I'd imagine them doing normal things, like cooking, or watching old movies with me, or asking what I did at school. I guess because... I felt less lonely that way. I could pretend there wasn't a hole in me. But when I'm with you, I don't need them. I want what's real." (page 143)

And I love love LOVED all of the other cursed characters too! They argue like crazy, but their banter is hilarious and their friendship is genuine. Freddie was a personal favourite. Even though his fairytale role was to be Mira's awakening prince, he was never really a love interest. But he was too adorable and sweet and innocent to not be loved! Birds followed him around for a reason, you know. ;) 

4. The Writing

Reading Sarah Cross's writing is like a dream. It's beautiful; it's fluent; it's picturesque; it's, quite honestly, like finding my home all over again! Just when I thought that first person narratives were starting to become my favourite, she pulls me back with this gorgeous third person prose that steals my breath away. I've never read a book with so many quote-worthy passages in my life.

Beautiful P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N, that's what it is!

5. Blue Valentine ♥

Yes, Blue deserves his own whole point!

My mom thinks I'm crazy for wanting a house with a blue garage and purple shingles, so I can't imagine what she'd say if I wanted to marry a boy with blue HAIR. (But I do, I absolutely do!)  

Cursed with a horrible fate, Blue Valentine uses his snarkiness and attitude to keep people at an arm's length. He seems like your average I'm-a-jackass-to-protect-you sort of guy, but he's not. He's so much MORE, and there are certain times when you see how vulnerable he is, how much he loves Mira, how much his curse is killing him, and it just about rips your heart out. 

He has so many hilarious one-liners or quotes that show off how sweet a bad boy he is, but I want to show you a quote that reveals his other side, his heartbreaking side: 

     "You know, I don't usually know the girls he likes. Not like this. I look the other way most of the time. But I met you first. I knew you first. I wanted you first." (Blue to Mira about his brother Felix, page 208)

With Kill Me Softly being my favourite book of the year, Blue is easily my favourite book boy! ♥

In Conclusion...

Maybe this is my weakness for fairytales talking; maybe it's my soft spot for gorgeous writing, brilliant ideas, breathtaking romances, and boys who rip my heart out. Or maybe this is Sarah Cross's brilliance shoving itself in my face that makes me declare this one of my favourite books of all time!  

Read-worthy, buy-worthy, and totally swoon-worthy, Kill Me Softly is a bundle of creativity that surpasses authors like Cassandra Clare for me! It's hilarious, and brilliant, and adorable, and heartbreaking, and totally and completely beautiful in a way that hardly exists in YA. It's exactly the kind of book I've been looking for my whole life! 

In case you can't tell, I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH — and until Sarah Cross writes a sequel, I don't think another book will be topping it anytime soon!

BUY or BORROW?: This entire review was basically an answer to this question: BUY THIS BOOK. It's not breaking my semi-coherent-book-review streak for nothing! ;)  

-Mimi

Review: Enshadowed

Book: Enshadowed
Author: Kelly Creagh
Series: Nevermore #2
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Atheneum
Pages: 429
Source: publisher (Thank you so much!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5/5

Varen Nethers is trapped in a perilous dream world -- a treacherous and desolate realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Isobel Lanley, plagued by strange visions and haunted by the nightmares of Varen's creation, is the only one who can save him.

Isobel knows that her only hope lies within a Baltimore cemetery. There, in the early morning hours of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, a mysterious stranger known as the "Poe Toaster" will make his annual homage at the legendary poet's grave.

Only the Poe Toaster holds the key to the way between worlds. But even greater dangers lie ahead for Isobel. An ancient evil, draped in veils of white, is watching, challenging her for Varen's affections. When Isobel finally finds Varen, he is no longer the quiet and brooding boy who once captivated her, but a dark force, powerful and malevolent.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Maybe it's a little early to post my review for this, but I couldn't help it because this kind of love needs to be shared! Enshadowed isn't just about Varen and Isobel being together; it's about them being apart and fighting all the shadows — literally — to reunite. It's less about school life, more about the haunting dreamworld we only got a glimpse of in book one. In short: I loved Nevermore, but this installment just blew me away!

Some people may not be satisfied since Varen is mostly stuck in his dreamworld, struggling to return to Isobel, but I thought it was PERFECT. It shows, rather than tells, how much Isobel is willing to go through for him. The things she endures — like being tormented by dream monsters as well as real ones — all broke my heart like a recorded accident replaying over and over again on the news.

Isobel is my HERO. I love her so much! She's more than the beautiful blond cheerleader stereotype she was growing out of in Nevermore. She's sent tumbling into Varen's literal nightmare head first — with its horrifying shadows and monsters — but she still manages to right herself before she hits that harsh impact of a climax. Isobel is strong and determined and brave and so, so brilliantly written. Aching for her is mandatory, not an option!

But even though Varen isn't as present in Isobel's real life, he's still in her mind, her heart, her dreams, and her mirrors. They still make up one of my all-time favourite couples — not just because they trump the whole cheerleader-and-goth stereotype, but because their heart-wrenching and twisted journey proves how much they belong together.

     Unable to resist, Isobel hugged the jacket close, rewarded with a scent that seized her heart like a clenched fist.
     It smelled like him. God. It still smelled like him. (page 319 in the ARC)

Izzy's hilarious friend Gwen is back with all of her gothic quirkiness. And her dad also plays an important role in this book, as do her mother and adorable little brother Danny. You can see how much her family cares about her, and that's what makes watching Isobel claw through shadows so much harder.

With the beautifully dark storyline and Kelly Creagh's hauntingly dream-like writing, Enshadowed makes my favourites shelf right next to Nevermore! The ending just about broke me, unhinged me, and waiting for the next one is going to be torture — but I've already decided that waiting for anything that Kelly Creagh writes is well darn worth it!

BUY or BORROW?: Sometimes I wonder why I even ask this question. Buy for sure, please! ;)

-Mimi

So you can witness firsthand how beautiful the writing is, here's one of my favourite quotes! :)

     "Is — is any of this real?" she asked. "Are you real?"
     He lifted a hand to her cheek, his fingers brushing her jaw.
     "Even if this is a dream," he whispered, "I'm not."
     Isobel's eyes widened, recognizing those words as her own, the same ones she had once uttered to him. She reached for him, her arms twining around his neck, drawing him closer so his scent poured over her, that combination of incense, citrus, and dried leaves overriding the funeral funeral smell of the crowding flowers.
     "Don't leave," she breathed.
     "I'm here," he whispered. "Right here. Waiting." (page 16 in the ARC)

Review: Shadow and Bone

Book: Shadow and Bone
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: Grisha #1
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Pages: 368
Source: Raincoast Books & Macmillan (Thank you so much!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5/5

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

(summary taken from Goodreads)  

MY THOUGHTS:  

There's no doubt in my mind that this will end up being one of the BEST books of the entire year! Best world, best heroine, best writing, best romance... There are just so many breathtaking things in this book, I can't believe I ever had a doubt!  

Shadow and Bone is high fantasy at its best. (There's that word again!) The world-building of Ravka is flawless. It makes you believe and fear the terrible Shadow Fold that splits it in two, with its ravenous monsters, but there's never an overwhelming dump of information. It's always showing not telling, captivating not repelling, and kind of perfect — which I don't say for high fantasy very often (or at all)! 

Alina — smart, strong, vulnerable Alina — is one of my favourite heroines ever! She's not blindingly beautiful or perfect with her new found ability at first; she doesn't always know the right thing to say or the right people to trust. But she's one of the most REAL characters I've ever met, and she grows, learns, and loses so much that I almost wish I didn't care about her like I do so it wouldn't hurt as much. But of course, with Alina, that's impossible! 

And I loved the rest of the cast too — especially the Darkling, who seriously brings a new definition to the word mysterious, and Mal, for never giving up on Alina and always being the sweetest best friend ever! ♥ The romance is really a spoiler on its own, but I promise it's not your average best-friends-plus-one romance. I adored it so much!

Also, I can't even say whether or not I expected the big twist near the end because I was so enamoured by the everything that I didn't pause a second to make any guesses!

With some of the best writing and most brilliant worlds ever, Shadow and Bone will undoubtedly be topping people's favourites lists everywhere. I can honestly say that it's my favourite high fantasy book of all time... and that's coming from a fantasy-loving girl. ;)

BUY or BORROW?: You will buy this book and love it and be at Leigh Bardugo's feet with me, begging to read the sequel! This is an absolute MUST, and I can't even stress how buy-worthy it is enough! (Want a reminder? Count the number of times I used "best" in this review!) 

-Mimi

Review: Croak

Book: Croak
Author: Gina Damico
Series: Croak #1
Release Date: March 20, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 311
Source: Thomas Allen & Son (Thank you so much!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5/5

Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby has sucker-punched her last classmate. Fed up with her punkish, wild behavior, her parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than that of shoveling manure.

He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach her the family business.

Lex quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated entirely by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. Along with her infuriating yet intriguing partner Driggs and a rockstar crew of fellow Grim apprentices, Lex is soon zapping her Targets like a natural born Killer.

Yet her innate ability morphs into an unchecked desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she’s forced to Kill a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. So when people start to die—that is, people who aren’t supposed to be dying, people who have committed grievous crimes against the innocent—Lex’s curiosity is piqued. Her obsession grows as the bodies pile up, and a troubling question begins to swirl through her mind: if she succeeds in tracking down the murderer, will she stop the carnage—or will she ditch Croak and join in?

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

Absolutely 5 SHINY (like this cover) STARS! Sometimes I think I read so many books that finding an original and captivating gem in the bunch gets harder by the day, but Croak reminds me why I love to read. It's knee-slappingly fun but still dark at the same time! 

As a huge Soul Screamers fan, I already have a weakness for reapers but Gina Damico still brings something new to the table! These reapers carry actual scythes and only have the job of carting souls off to the Afterlife, where quirky ghosts like Elvis and Edgar Allan Poe can wallow in peace. 

Lex has to be one of the most spunky, temperamental, and stubborn heroines I've ever met — but she's also one of my favourites! She doesn't take crap from anyone, not even her twin sister Cordy, but her fair heart still makes her wince when she has to reap the souls of a murdered victim. Along with her swoon-worthy partner Driggs and a whole group of misfit apprentice reapers, they will make you want to move to Croak ASAP! ♥

But it's not just all fun and games. The mysterious murders in the novel add a serious undertone, along with how Lex is wholeheartedly against unfair deaths. And that twist at the end... Break my heart, why don't you, Gina?? Intense is only the beginning of this amazing debut!

With a hilarious cast, a mysterious plot, and creativity packed to the max, it's safe to say that I love Croak to death! Like Adam Rex said, there are so many books with worlds that I would love to live in, but dying in this one doesn't sound like such a bad idea. ;)  

BUY or BORROW?: If my five stars aren't enough to convince you, maybe me adding this to my Favourites shelf will? I usually don't pre-order books this far in advance, but I'm already planning on buying the sequel, Scorch! :) 

-Mimi

Review: Revived

Book: Revived
Author: Cat Patrick
Series: N/A
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Pages: 336
Source: Hachette Book Group Canada (Thank you so much!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 3.5/5

As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life.

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger—and more sinister—than she ever imagined.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:

Imagine dying 5 times — and being brought back to life after every single death! This is Daisy's life in a secret government agency led by an ominous figure they call "God" and as a test subject to a drug that they call Revive. *cues oooh-ing* 

Revived was nothing like I expected it to be! Instead of a fast-paced book about a zombie-like test subject, this book has more of a contemporary feel to it: sweet, warm, easy to relate to. I may be an expert at guessing what's going to happen in a book early on, but the deceiving first half made me unprepared for the surprise twist in the faster last quarter!

Daisy is a character I adored from the get-go. Along with co-hosting a hilarious blog (yup, she's a blogger!) with her best friend Megan, she has such a big heart and brings the word real to teenager without being unbearable. They say curiosity killed the cat, but Daisy's curiosity is what drives the mystery behind the whole God operation.

Matt's a nice guy (although he's definitely no Luke Henry!), but I just couldn't connect with the romance. It didn't have enough development or chemistry to entrap me, and the way that Daisy told Matt everything so soon made me want to shake her. But you'll love the other colourful characters, like Matt's sister Audrey and Daisy's "parents."

With the same kind of flowing prose and smile-worthy cast that Cat Patrick brought in Forgotten, added to a fresh new idea never taken up before, Revived asks you the question: What would you do if you had the chance to live again when other people didn't? :) 

BUY or BORROW?: This book wasn't exactly the intense must-buy I was expecting, but it shouldn't be a book you skip over! I actually really adored it and am glad to have it on my shelf. ;)

-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

Mimi's Book Haul #2 + NOTICE!

Hi, everyone!

I'm still trying to find another meme to participate in since I've decided not to do In My Mailbox anymore, so for now I'll just post all the books I've gotten here. But I would still love to see what all of you have got in your mailboxes, so drop me a comment and I'll be sure to stop by! :)

FOR REVIEW: 

Preloved by Shirley Marr

The ever-sweet and totally amazing Shirley Marr sent me a copy of her book, Preloved, along with the most adorable postcard from Australia ever! I literally couldn't stop giggling for a good ten minutes! She also signed both and wrote a personalized message on the post card, which just made my day. Thank you SO much, Shirley! :')

BORROWED: 

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Dark River by Mary Jane Beaufrand

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

The Iron Thorn by Caitlyn Kittredge

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Black Heart by Holly Black

WON: 

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Somehow I won this off of Goodreads before my review copy came last week, so I now have two finished copies of this (which I'm not complaining about — after all, I wrote a 5-star review for it HERE!). But I've already found a more-than-willing blogger to take it home, so life's all good ;)

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Yay! This finally arrived from Macmillan after I won it on a giveaway hosted by the lovely, the great, the super-sweet and completely adorable girl (who I love to gush with) Danny @ Bewitched Bookworms! If you don't follow her, you have to drop by ASAP. She's so enthusiastic that you can't help but be too! :)

And that's my book haul for this week! Thank you so much again to Shirley Marr, Macmillan, and Danny @ Bewitched Bookworms for making a smaller mailbox be filled with awesome! :)

WHAT BOOKS DID YOU GET THIS WEEK? 

(I'd still love to check out what you have in your mailboxes, no matter what meme you're participating in!)

-Mimi

NOTICE: 

I'm leaving to go on a school camping trip later tonight so I won't be back until Tuesday night, which means I won't be able to post or stalk all of my usual blogs until Wednesday. *sadface* I'm so sorry that I won't be around for a bit! But things will go back to normal as soon as I get back, I promise :) Thanks so much to everyone for putting up with this teenage girl's crazy schedule! Love you guys ♥

Review: Until I Die

Book: Until I Die
Author: Amy Plum
Series: Revenants #2
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 445
Source: HarperCollins Canada (Thank you so much!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4.5/5

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

Oh sweet goodness, how I loved this book!  

In the first novel, Die For Me, it was the romantic Paris setting and idea of revenants — undead beings with the compulsion to die to save others — that captivated me. The idea was completely unique and executed with perfection, but even though I loved the characters with all my heart, I was never really sold on the romance. 

But in Until I Die, somehow Amy Plum managed to make everything more intense, more lovable, more breathtaking — even the romance! Kate and Vincent have to be the perfect couple. I don't mean that their relationship is without its complications (because it definitely isn't), but I can finally see how they fit so well together. Their banter and interactions are funny and sweet, and being set in Paris, I was constantly swooning off my feet!  

The middle of the book is admittedly a little slower as Kate tries to find out how to help Vincent resist his compulsion to sacrifice himself to save others. But that is my only complaint! 

Otherwise, I loved every second I could spend with my favourite characters again! From sweet and stubborn Kate to Vincent (the perfect dream boyfriend ♥) to Jules (my favourite playboy of all time — without making this a love triangle!) as well as all of the other awesome revenants, both new and old, they were always a blast to read about.  

Beautifully written and ending with one of the most heart-pounding, heart-breaking, and heart-tearing conclusions ever, Until I Die is an unpredictable and captivating installment to a trilogy that is quickly becoming one of my favourites. Amy Plum has made a total fangirl out of me! :)  

BUY or BORROW?: I'd recommend that you buy this even if you haven't read the first book yet! That just means you have to backtrack to the first one beforehand, which you should be doing anyways ;)

-Mimi

Review: Storm

Book: Storm
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Elementals #1
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Kensington
Pages: 353
Source: Kensington (Thank you so much!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5/5

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming . . .

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:

I was pressured, brainwashed, and totally convinced to go into this book with high expectations, and even then it still blew me away! So. Darn. AMAZING!

Storm starts on a dark night when our awesome heroine Becca literally saves Chris Merrick's life. Everything quickly goes to hell from there when she realizes that Chris and his brothers aren't normal — they're Elementals, targeted because of how powerful they are. And now that she knows the truth, Becca isn't so safe either.

Becca is the perfect imperfect heroine for this novel! She's bad-ass and tough, but she's also vulnerable in a way that makes her so real. One thing I loved about this book was how Brigid Kemmerer incorporated bullying into the mix — with Becca's ex-boyfriend (who I hate with a passion!) spreading awful rumors about her. She reacts to it the way most girls would, and I couldn't have loved her more if I tried.

This review would not be completely without mentioning the Merrick brothers. ♥ There's Michael, the oldest who controls earth; Gabriel, the super-hot twin who ironically controls fire; Nick, the sweeter air-controlling twin who is no less hot; and then there's Chris, the youngest, the water-controller, the main character of this novel, and my favourite so far!

As one of my friends said, you'd think Brigid Kemmerer grew up in a house full of boys with how well she wrote them! Their brotherly bond, the way they fought, their heated banter... Topped off with Brigid's great writing and the sweet romance, this book has it all.

With four hot brothers, a fantastic heroine, an Elemental-based storyline that will steal your breath away, Storm was one of my most highly anticipated reads of the year and it definitely lives up to the hype! Brigid Kemmerer, you are definitely starting off on the right foot with this debut. :) I can't wait to get my hands on Spark, Gabriel's story, later in the fall!

BUY or BORROW?: Hahahahahaha you're funny. Why would you even think to borrow this? Buy all the way!! :')

-Mimi

P.S. Still not convinced? If not, you can get your hands on the free novella, Elemental, which takes place before the evens of Storm in Michael's (the oldest Merrick brother) point of view on Amazon HERE. And after that, your can read the amazing first chapter of Storm HERE! After that, you know where you need to go to buy this. ;)

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)

Mimi's Book Haul: Epic Edition!!

Hi, everyone! :)

Because of a few things that happened recently (which you can find out more about on Parajunkee'sView, Beautifully Invisible, and Grit & Glamour) I'm still not sure whether or not I'm going to continue supporting In My Mailbox hosted at The Story Siren anymore. I don't know what to think right now because I only just found out about it, but for now I think I'll try something different because I'm wholeheartedly against plagiarism.

I hope this change is okay, and I would still love to see what all of you have got in your mailboxes! If anyone else is starting a meme where we can share what books we've gotten over the past week, let me know and I'll link you up! :)

FOR REVIEW: 

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult

Surrender by Elana Johnson

Envy by Elizabeth Giles

The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent

Burn For Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

All of these Simon & Schuster titles came as surprises, but they were surprises that I welcomed with open arms and the biggest bear hug you can imagine! I'm so giddy to get started on reading these, especially Burn For Burn since Jenny Han kind of rocks! ;)

Wake by Amanda Hocking

The Summer of No Regrets by Katherine Grace Bond

Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan

This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

Am I the only one who can't help but but gawk at this collection of gorgeously epic blues and whites?! They're all books I've been anticipating for FOREVER! (This Is Not a Test especially — the wonderful Crystal made my day by sending me her copy! ♥) At the moment I've only read Storm, but we're one for one on the LOVE scale so far. I'm going for six for six! 

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Revived by Cat Patrick

Purity by Jackson Pearce

I literally just re-watched the Peter Pan movie last weekend so I can't even express how ecstatic I am that I could get my hands on Tiger Lily!!!!! And if Revived and Purity are as amazing as my fellow bloggers tell me, then I'm probably going to love those too!

PURCHASED: 

Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

This is my FAVOURITE book of 2012 so far! That might have to do with the fact that I've barely read any of these other awesome books yet (although Sarah Cross will be my idol anyways), but as of this moment, that statement holds totally true! :)

As you can tell, this week was a bundle of OH MY GOSH and HOLY WOW and crazy happy-dances about getting each and every one of them! Even as I write this post, I don't know how it became this epic. I could not be happier!

A million, gazillion, epic chocolate-coated THANK YOUs to Simon & Schuster Canada, Raincoast Books, Kensington Books, Sourcebooks Fire, HarperCollins Canada, Hachette Book Group Canada, and (as always) the most amazing publisher representatives for sending me all of these awesome books!

We're having all of our midterm summatives right now so I'm crazy busy, but I'm making it a priority to read and review all of these books first! Homework can wait, right? :') ♥

WHAT BOOKS DID YOU GET THIS WEEK? 

(I'd still love to check out what you have in your mailboxes, no matter what meme you're participating in!)

-Mimi