Monday, May 31, 2010

Book Review: Lust

I stayed up late last night to finish LUST by Robin Wasserman. This is the first book in the Seven Deadly Sins series, followed by ENVY, PRIDE, WRATH, SLOTH, GLUTTONY, and GREED. I reviewed the movie just last weekend, and ever since seeing the movie, I'd been needing to start the series. It was fantastic. The movie seems to follow the first book, and we'll see if that continues. And, of course, there was a lot left out. I'm glad I saw the movie first, though. It switches from one character to the next, and I think it was easier to follow now that I feel familiar with them. I can't wait to read the next book!


Check out the rest of the series, and Robin Wasserman's other books, here: http://www.robinwasserman.com/



Synopsis:
Alpha girl Harper is used to getting what she wants,
and that means Adam,
Beth's all-American boytoy.
Blond, boring Beth, who Kane,
the charming playah, secretly wants too.
Miranda thinks Kane is out of her league,
but she wants him all the same.
And then there's the new girl.
Kaia. Who only wants trouble --
and he's definitely on his way.
Want to know more?
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And the winner is... youprobdontknowme. Congrats! Check your email. :)

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Book Review: Sunshine

I was curious about SUNSHINE by Robin McKinley after hearing several great reviews. And when I picked it up I found a blurb from the fabulous Melissa Marr. I have several of Robin McKinley's books on my TBR, but this is the first one I've read.


There were so many things about it that I loved. Constantine, being the first. The world that Robin created has some similarities, but also many differences from so many urban fantasy worlds. Vampires, weres, spellcasters, part demons, and more... And the humans know about them. Unfortunately, if you are one, life isn't easy.


Sunshine, whose real name is Rae Seddon, knows she isn't just a regular human, but she keeps that a secret until she needs to use her power to save her life. Constantine, an old vampire, needs her help. And an unusual alliance begins. The problem... the only Other race that is completely unacceptable is the vampire.


Even if you are burnt out on vampires, pick this one up anyway.



Synopsis:



They took her clothes and sneakers. They dressed her in a long red gown. And they shackled her to the wall of an abandoned mansion - within easy reach of a figure stirring in the moonlight.


She knows that it is a vampire.


She knows that she's to be his dinner, and that when he is finished with her, she will be dead. Yet, when light breaks, she finds that he has not attempted to harm her. And now it is he who needs her to help him survive the day.


Though the main character is about 25, it was recently republished in the YA section. You'll find it with the cover you see below.






Book Review: The Sea of Monsters

THE SEA OF MONSTERS is even better than the first book the in Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Rick Riordan does an excellent job of taking Greek myth and putting it in the modern world. Humans don't see the monsters and the weirdness because of the mist... which skews the human's perception. The way he does this makes it seem like it could really happen. And who knows... it could be happening.

We have a new character introduced in this book: Tyson. I really like this new addition to Percy's team. You can kinda tell from the his introduction that he's not quite what Percy thinks he is. Human, he is not. But you'll have to read this yourself to find out what he is.

A highly recommended read... I can't wait for the next one!


Synopsis:
After a year spent trying to prevent a catastrophic war among the Greek gods, Percy Jackson finds his seventh-grade school year unnervingly quiet. His biggest problem is dealing with his new friend, Tyson - a six-foot-three, mentally challenged homeless kid who follows Percy everywhere, making it hard for Percy to have any "normal" friends.
But things don't stay quiet for long. Percy soon discovers there is trouble at Camp Half-Blood: The magical borders which protect Half=Blood Hill have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and the only safe haven for demigods is on the verge of being overrun by mythological monsters. To save the camp, Percy needs the help of his best friend, Grover, who has been taken prisoner by the Cyclops Polyphemus on an island somewhere in the Sea of Monsters - the dangerous waters Greek heroes have sailed for millenia - only today, the Sea of Monsters goes by a new name... the Bermuda Triangle.
Now Percy and his friends - Grover, Annabeth, and Tyson - must retrieve the Golden Fleece from the Island of the Cyclopes by the end of the summer or Camp Half-Blood will be destroyed. But first, Percy will learn a stunning new secret about his family - one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon's son is an honor or simply a cruel joke.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Movie Review: 7 Deadly Sins (and giveaway)

I hope you all got the chance to catch 7 Deadly Sins, a Lifetime original movie based on the book series of the same name by Robin Wasserman. If you missed it, you missed an amazing movie, and I really hope you get the chance to catch it soon. I didn't know they were making this into a movie until a little over a week ago, or else I'd have read the books before last night. So, unfortunately, I can't do any comparison. The movie is four hours long and aired in two parts. Considering they put seven books into one movie, they did an incredible job.

The first half was fantastic. I was so hooked, I couldn't look away. The second half, while equally interesting, seemed a bit rushed in parts. The movie did an excellent job of segueing from one book to the other, as we followed seven characters through their senior year. The characters evolved a lot from the beginning. I liked some and hated others and they changed as the story did. One minute I'm on Harper's side. Then Beth's, and then Kane's. And now that's it over, I don't know who I love and hate. The story continually surprised me. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, I turned out to be wrong. I never knew what was coming. Sex, drugs, drinking, death, lots of eye candy... and all seven deadly sins...

The acting was really good, especially considering the fact that they were basically unknowns. The directing was good, too. There were scenes where you felt like a voyeur, which was interesting. Different. They also did a good job of incorporating the parents without making you feel like they were around too much. I know that's kinda a hot topic in YA. Having parents that care and are around without making it too much about them. And the parents had their own drama.



I really hope this movie comes out on DVD soon. It just ended, and I can't wait to see it again. It really makes you think about your actions, and payback is definitely a bitch.

Check out deleted scenes, pics, an interview with Robin Wasserman, and more here:

http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/seven-deadly-sins


I snagged a copy of LUST, the first book in the series, to give away. To enter, please answer this question: What did you love most about the movie? If you didn't see the movie, answer this question: Which is your favorite sin and why? Please be sure to leave your email in your response. Giveaway open to US and Canada.
Winner will be posted when I post a review for the book, later this week, so enter asap.
Want extra entries?
+1 for following my blog
+1 for following my twitter (username)
+1 for tweeting about it (leave link)
+1 for being Rather Lovely (username)

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Green Valley Book Fair (and giveaway)

So thanks to WastePaperProse, I heard about the Green Valley Book Fair, a huge warehouse that sells books at 60-90% off. I got many books at a great deal.

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede: DEALING WITH DRAGONS, SEARCHING FOR DRAGONS, CALLING ON DRAGONS, TALKING TO DRAGONS

BOOK OF ENCHANTMENTS by Patricia Wrede

THE SHADOW THIEVES by Anne Ursu, the first book in The Cronus Chronicles

WINGS by Jason Lethco, the first book in the Mysterious Mr. Spines series

GIRLWOOD by Claire Dean


POSSESSIONS and PRETTY LITTLE DEVILS by Nancy Holder

POISON INK by Christopher Golden
INTO THE WILD by Sarah Beth Durst and PROM DATES FROM HELL by Rosemary Clement Moore, both first books in the series when I already have the second ones
RUNEMARKS by Joanne Harris, heard a lot of good stuff about this one
LOOK BOTH WAYS by Jacquelyn Mitchard, second in The Midnight Twins series

ME, MY ELF, AND I by Heather Swain, about a tall, blonde elf
PRIVILEGE, the first in Kate Brian's spin-off series
GLUTTONY and SLOTH both in Robin Wasserman's Seven Deadly Sins series
HOW NOT TO BE POPULAR by Jennifer Ziegler
PRINCPLES OF LOVE and PEACE, LOVE, AND HAPPINESS by Emily Franklin
THE SCARLET LETTERMAN in the Bard Academy series by Cara Lockwood
GODDESS BOOT CAMP by Tera Lynn Childs, second in the series after OH.MY.GODS.
CRASH INTO ME by Albert Borris, been looking forward to this one for a while
HERO TYPE by Barry Lyga
JARS OF GLASS by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler
CUPCAKE by Rachel Cohn

Luckily for you, I managed to buy two books that were already on my shelf. Oops. Why is this good for you? Well, since I don't need two, I'm giving them away. Giveaway open to US and Canada.

The books up for grabs are POISON INK and PRIVILEGE. Let me know which one you would prefer in a reply. I'll draw one winner for each. Winner drawn this Wednesday, May 26, midnight EST. I want to mail these out by Saturday, so please check the site. And don't forget to leave your email (if you don't have twitter) so I can contact you.
Extra entries:
+1 for following my blog
+1 for following me on twitter (user name)
+1 for tweeting
+1 for being Rather Lovely (user name)
Contest is closed. Congrats to Cam and Kelsey!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Book Review: Keeping the Moon

Keeping the Moonis another great novel by Sarah Dessen. This one hit on some very personal notes. Colie grew up being overweight. She then lost the weight, but got a new reputation... as a slut. How one becomes a slut while still being a virgin is beyond me. Anyway, I felt her pain, the pain of being teased for your weight. Of walking into a room and knowing people were talking about you. Of being pointed at by a group of people who are all watching you and snickering. It's very painful... even when it's in the past. Because the memories are still there.

I think it's important for teen girls to read this novel. The skinny, popular girls often don't realize just how bad teasing hurts... especially when it's about appearance. I think they know it hurts, but I don't think they realize it still hurts fifteen years later. Colie learns to love herself as she is. That (plus the weight loss) is something I'm working on. But this novel gave me a lot of inspiration.

Thanks, Sarah!

If you haven't checked out Sarah Dessen's work, definitely do so. Check out her site at http://www.sarahdessen.com And according to her blog, her next book, CUT AND RUN, comes out in about a year.



Fifteen-year-old Colie is spending the summer with her eccentric Aunt Mira while her mother travels. Formerly chubby and still insecure, Colie has built a shell around herself. But her summer with her aunt, her aunt's tenant Norman, and her friends at the Last Chance Diner teaches her some important lessons about friendship and learning to love yourself.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Book Review: Morganville 1-5

I've read the first five books of the Morganville Vampire series: GLASS HOUSES, THE DEAD GIRLS' DANCE, MIDNIGHT ALLEY, FEAST OF FOOLS, and LORD OF MISRULE. The series progresses where one book picks up right after the one before leaves off. While the series is well-written, it's not my favorite vampire series. The mythology behind the town is neat. Some people know about vampires, others don't. Once you leave, even if you knew about the vamps, all that fades from memory. It's how they're able to stay safe in that town... not that safe is really the correct term.

I'm not a huge fan of Claire, our MC. I was Team Shane, but am now firmly Team Michael. Also, I love Eve, Amelie, and Myrnin. Myrnin is one of the most interesting characters in any vampire book/series, I've read. Is he crazy? Possibly. Maybe only sometimes.

I enjoyed the first book and the second more. I really liked the third one, as well. Things get more complicated, and, of course, more interesting. The fourth and fifth were only okay for me. I hope they pick back up. I want to like them more than I am.

If you aren't burnt out on vampire books, these are pretty good. They definitely have some interesting differences than your typical vamp book.

Synopsis:

Welcome to Morganville, Texas.

Just don't stay out after dark.

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation, where the popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks in the schools social scene: somewhere less than zero.

When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, But they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry fresh blood.


Synopsis:

Claire has her share of challenges. Like being a genius in a school that favors beauty over brains; homicidal girls in her dorm, and finding out that her college town is overrun with the living dead. On the up side, she has a new boyfriend with a vampire-hunting dad. But when a local fraternity throws the Dead Girls' Dance, hell is really going to break loose.

Synopsis:
Claire Danvers' college town may be run by vampires but a truce between the living and the dead made things relatively safe. For a while. Now people are turning up dead, a psycho is stalking her, and an ancient bloodsucker has proposed a private mentoring. To what end, Claire will find out. And it's giving night school a whole new meaning.

Synopsis:
The wait is over. Dig into the feast...
In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans live in relative peace. Student Claire Danvers has never been convinced though -- especially with the arrival of Mr. Bishop, an ancient, old-school vampire who cares nothing about harmony. What he wants from the town's living and its dead is unthinkably sinister. It's only at a formal ball, attended by vampires and their human dates, that Claire realizes the elaborately evil trap he's set for Morganville.

Synopsis:
In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, the master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn't the only threat.
Violent black cyclone clouds hover, promising a storm of devastating proportions as student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against elements both natural and unnatural.






Sunday, May 9, 2010

Book Review: Vampire Academy

I've had VAMPIRE ACADEMY by Richelle Mead on my shelf for a while now. I met her last weekend and decided I needed to read this before meeting her. I was halfway through when I got it signed, and just now finished it. I really enjoyed it. Despite it being about vampires, it was very different from other vampire novels.

Rose, a Dhampir, is the narrator. She's a half-vampire. Her mother is a Dhampir, like her, and her father was a Moroi. A Moroi is a full vampire, though they are living and therefore mortal. The Stirgoi are the baddies. Regular blood-thirsy fiends, immortal, and bad. Any Moroi or Dhampir can be changed into one, against their will or by choice.

As a Dhampir, Rose is destined to protect the Moroi, specifically her best friend, Lissa. They ran away from the academy for a number of reasons, but basically to protect Lissa. They're found and brought back in chapter one. The academy is safe... supposedly.

I loved Rose and Lissa's friendship, and Dimitri... *swoon* I can't wait to read the next in this seires: FROSTBITE, followed by SHADOW KISS, BLOOD PROMISE and SPIRIT BOUND (due out later this month).



Synopsis:

St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school - it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, A Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're dragged back to St. Vladimir's - the very place where they're most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi - the world's most dangerous vampires - make Lissa one of them forever.



Saturday, May 8, 2010

Meeting Authors: RT and more (and winners)

So at RT I met several wonderful authors. Being Romantic Times, most of the authors were women, but there were some guys scattered sporadically. The wonderful Melissa Marr met Sandy, Em, and I for breakfast along with Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Be careful if you meet Melissa next year. She said she is going to dress up Jennifer as her so she can have a break since there are two releases for her (DARKEST MERCY and GRAVEMINDER). So you may think you are going to see Melissa, but it may be Jennifer. It remains to be seen if she can pull this off.

Kelley Armstrong was the first we saw once through the doors. She is very nice. I had the pleasure of meeting her twice last year, but being one of my favorite authors, I was excited to see her again. NO HUMANS INVOLVED is my favorite novel of her, and my favorite all-time. I have three copies of it. US, UK, and Canadian versions... because they all have different covers. I took them all to be signed, and she was amused that I loved it so much I bought three copies... not to mention my little paperback that I drag around when I want to take a copy with me.

We moved to the next line where Holly Black was set up. I skipped her because I was going to be seeing her the following weekend (today). So you'll see more about her later. Ally Carter was also in the next row. She was very funny and very sweet. I got HEIST SOCIETY signed. I took all my hardbacks sans jacket cover. I get that the jacket is supposed to protect the book, but I had when they are ripped. When I pulled it out, she said "Gasp. A naked Heist." She was also amused that I had pre-labeled all of my books with post-it notes. I took books for me, Catie, and the giveaway, and I wanted to make sure they were all signed right. I think the sticky notes proves I'm a pro at the author signings.

Next we went to the back to find Rachel Vincent. She was sweet and kinda quiet. She gave away some copies of MY SOUL TO KEEP. I was one of the lucky ones. I asked how you would go about getting one, and she gave me one. Sometimes all it takes is asking.

I also met MaryJanice Davidson. She was in the back because they had anticipated big numbers in her line. But she was hidden, and I had to ask all over to find out where she was. She was very sweet and very chatty. We talked about her different series, but mostly Jennifer Scales, my favorite. She was happy to see it as part of a giveaway. I told her I didn't think it got enough press and most bookstores don't even carry it. It comes out as online order only from Borders and Barnes and Noble. She said she's working on it. Book five comes out this year, and she said there will be at least two more. One thing I love about her... she uses my real name in three different books/series of hers. Only place I've seen it in a novel.

I met Jocelyn Drake, Vicki Pettersson, and Delilah Marvelle. I want to read her books, but the first one is out of print. Hopefully, the publisher will realize they need to be re-printed to sell. But she has an exciting new romance series coming out next year. A trilogy (book 1 in Jan, book 2 in Feb, and book 3 in Mar), so keep your eyes open for all three of these wonder ladies books.

There were several authors they had to hand out numbers for. Jeaniene Frost and Richelle Mead were the only two on my list. We were almost to the front to Ms Frost's line when they moved her and gave out numbers. We were the first to get books signed once they moved her. And since we had gotten all our books signed, we sat down to wait to be called to Richelle Mead's line. We were about fifteen minutes before it was over.

There was a woman waiting for JR Ward's line. They were calling in the 900's around the time we were called to Richelle's line. Her number was 1527. I don't think she got her books signed. JR Ward, Jim Butcher, and Charlaine Harris seemed to be the most popular in terms of number of signatures.

Today I met Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. They were so funny. They were talking about research and how risky it could be. Cassie said a friend took her on a tour of London for the Infernal Devices series. And they went through a particulary bad area. Her friend told her to take a picture of a certain area and she got a picture of a window... with a nekkid man cooking breakfast. Apparently, he didn't seem happy. And Holly wanted to see what it would be like to be thrown in the trunk of a car. So her friend offered to do this. Unfortunately, it was a hatchback, so it wasn't quite as scary. She also recommends to have a neck pillow because riding in a trunk is not comfortable.

One of the girls in the audience asked Holly if it was hard to leave characters behind and move onto a new set. Holly said that her characters are happy that she moved on because all she did was wreak havoc on them. Holly announced that the second book in The Curse Workers is called RED GLOVE. And exciting news for Cassie... City of Bones was optioned as a movie, and a screenplay is complete. This does not mean it will be a movie, only that it may be a movie.

And now for the winners!

Ally: WICKEDLOVELY (re-draw)
Joy: CITY OF BONES (re-draw)
Star: MY SOUL TO TAKE
kimscarecrow: VAMPIRE ACADEMY
Dusty: JENNIFER SCALES
Sandy: VALIANT
elizabeth: THE SUMMONING

In addition to these books, you'll also get swag donated by the fabulous Melissa Marr and bookmarks picked up variously at RT and other conventions.

Please email me at aine[dot]onetwistedpixie[at]gmail[dot]com if you are a winner. I need your name and address to mail the book. Congrats!

**Note: if you don't contact me by Wednesday, May 12, new winners will be drawn.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Book Review: White Cat

WHITE CAT is the first novel in The Curse Workers series by Holly Black, and it came out this past Tuesday. I bought it as soon as I could and finished it today. I loved it. I've met Holly numerous times, and a few years ago she told me she was working on this novel. She said it was based on "The White Cat" one of her favorite fairytales. I've been waiting for this novel ever since. I'm a big fan of Holly's other works as well. With some of her novels I've had a hard time getting hooked. Not because it isn't good, because I love her stories. But I've had trouble identifying with the main characters. This book, however, sucked me in from page one.

First of all, it's very different from any other novel I've read. The idea is very unique. Secondly, it's written from Cassel's POV, a male POV, something we don't get a lot of. And third, there were so many twists and turns that just when you think you have it figured out, you find out you're wrong. I hate when you figure out the ending in the beginning, and that was definitely not the case with this one. You don't know who to like or who's doing what. And even Cassel, our narrator, keeps things from us.

I can't wait until book two comes out. Unfortunately, it's probably at least a year away.


Synopsis:

Cassel comes from a family of curse workers - people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail - he killed hi best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Eer since, Cassel has carefully built up a facade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his facade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Short Story Review: My Soul to Lose

My second short story review is "My Soul to Lose" by Rachel Vincent. This story is a prequel to her Soul Screamers story, and well worth reading. It basically covers events that are mentioned in the beginning of MY SOUL TO TAKE... the first time she screamed her bean sidhe scream.

You can find this one free on Amazon to download for Kindle or PC Kindle. It's also available in .pdf on Rachel Vincent's site. And... you can download the audio for it at Audible for free, read by the same girl who reads the other Kaylee books.

For a freebie, it's amazing. I'd have paid to read this and not have been disappointed I spent the money, but this is a great thanks from Rachel Vincent for her readers. This is definitely one of the best series in YA fiction I've read lately. You don't need to start here, but if you haven't read the others and need an incentive... this would do it.


Synopsis:

It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it's the worst day of her life.

Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.

She tries to convince everyone she's fine - despire the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities...

Short Story Review: Stopping Time

One of my favorite authors is the fabulous Melissa Marr. Her Wicked Lovely series is fantastic, as is her manga trilogy set in the same world. With the release of FRAGILE ETERNITY into paperback, a new short story was printed in the back. It's called "Stopping Time", a sequel to INK EXCHANGE.

If you want to read the series, here is the order:
WICKED LOVELY
INK EXCHANGE
FRAGILE ETERNITY
RADIANT SHADOWS
DARKEST MERCY (out spring 2011)

The manga trilogy fits in around the time of RS/DM.

And "Stopping Time" comes after INK.

(And since I love my selchie, Murrin. Check out "Love Struck" in the anthology, LOVE IS HELL. It's not set in the WL world, but it is faeries... so close enough.)

I was so thrilled to see a new Leslie story. She's one of my favorite characters in the series. As you'd hope, Irial and Niall make an important appearance, and we also get to see Gabe. Leslie was once part of the Dark Court. Now she isn't, but she still considers it "her court", which I love. I'm probably the only one, but I was never a huge Irial or Niall fan. I was so blinded the my love for the Summer King. But after reading this, I decided I do, in fact, love them.

You can find this amazing short story in the back of the paperback, FRAGILE ETERNITY. Or you can download it for free from Amazon, either for Kindle or PC Kindle. You can pay $1.99 to download the entire thing or you can download part one for free and then part two for free.


Synopsis:

Leslie walked away from the Dark Court, determined to reclaim her life and live it on her own terms - even if it meant leaving ebhind the two faeries who love her. She knows Niall and Irial watch over her, and she would give almost anything to keep them from hurting. But she resists the pull to be with either one of them.

Someone knows about leslie's past, however, and is intent on using her to reach the fey. And he doesn't care who gets hurt.

Book Review: My Soul to Keep

So I went to Romantic Times last weekend and met many authors. One of whom was Rachel Vincent. She was very sweet and funny. She gave out a limited number of early copies of MY SOUL TO KEEP. Not an ARC, but an early copy. She tweeted after the book fair that she had books to those she had promised them to. So I ran up to find her and saw her sitting with a few other authors. I think she thought I was a little nuts after hurrying over less than a minute after her tweet. But I told her, her books were worth rushing after. I started it right away, putting other books aside.

The story was amazing. I read the back of the book (which is printed below the picture), and I figured out what was going to happen. I almost felt like it was a spoiler. Nash ticked me off so bad in this one, but I love Tod even more. New character, Alec... interested in learning more. Also, new supernaturals come into this one. And they aren't the typical ones we read about (i.e. vampires, werewolves). They aren't so much there as introduced. I hope we get to see them soon.

Pick this one up as soon as you can. It's fantastic! And if you haven't read the series, check out MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE, books 1 and 2 of the Soul Screamers series. Also, check out MY SOUL TO LOSE, a free short story prequel on Rachel Vincent's website.


Synopsis:
Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very populat boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them.
Until something does.
Demon breath. No, not the toothpaste=challenged kind. The Netherworld kin. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow the super-addoctove substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends - one of whom is already hooked.
And so is someone else...

Monday, May 3, 2010

Book Review: The Good Ghouls Guide to Getting Even and Good Ghouls Do

I read THE GOOD GHOULDS GUIDE TO GETTING EVEN a few years ago. I loved it. I had read Julie Kenner's adult series, and her writing was so funny, I decided to check out her YA series. I know there is an overwhelming amount of YA vamp books out there, but this is one of the best.



Synopsis:

Elizabeth Frasier's ticked off. Her junior year of high school was going fine. Amazing grades. Early admission to college. And a date with the star quarterback. But no. Thanks to a bunch of jerkwad vampire jocks, she ended up dead. Or rather, undead, and with a thirst that a thousand Diet Cokes couldn't quench.

Now she's out for blood - and revenge. And she knows exactly what to do. Elizabeth's read Salem's Lot. Just wipe out the crowd that did her in. But with so many creeps in high school it's hard to separate the good vamps from the bad. On top of that, she's got to figure how to be mortal again. Unless universities start accepting dead girls...

If you're looking for this series, you'll probably only find the cover below.





I finally got around to reading GOOD GHOULS DO. It was even better than the first, but unfortunately there isn't another one after this... yet. And I have no clue when it'll come out. I don't want to say too much because it'll spoil the first, but big things happen, and there are huge questions that need answered, and I need book three now!




Synopsis:
At least Beth Frasier's not the only vampire at Waterloo High. In fact, the bloodsucking seems to be catching on...
Waterloo's halls are teeming with them, all dominated by a Master that Beth was sure she'd killed. Being dead wrong about that is just one problem. She also feels bad about transforming her boyfriend into a Vamp. But honestly, ending his life was the only was to save ie. Now, on the ront-line of an all-out war between the living and the dead, Beth has a new survival plan - pretend to have the formula that allows Waterloo's vampires to survive under the sun. Making good on that promise before the real Master takes control is a lot of pressure for a young girl who wants only two things out of life - a boyfriend who doesn't bite, and one more chance to tan...

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