New Years Eve! Reviews for 2013

Hey Happy New Years Eve! I can't believe that a new year is already on its way. It feels like this year went by fast and yet slow at the same time but I'm ready for a new year and a new start. 2013 will bring my 1st year anniversary of my blog and hopefully even more success. I can't believe how well I've already done in these past 6 months. Thanks to everyone who has read my reviews! But anyways I already have an idea or list of the books that I will be reviewing this coming year. Some of these reviews are ones that I haven't put up yet and some are of books that I haven't read yet but I want to.
So here it goes....

The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) By Cassandra Clare
Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.



The rest of the Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare.


The Last Survivors Series by Susan Beth Pfeffer



Life As We Knew It (The Last Survivors #1)by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.

Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of Miranda’s struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all--hope--in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world.

The Princess Diaries #1 by Meg Cabot


The Lost Soul (Fallen Souls #1) by Jessica Sorensen



Spin-off of the Fallen Star Series.

My name is Gemma Lucas and my life is good. Alex and I eliminated the star, along with Stephan and the Death Walkers. Finally I can relax and focus on freeing my father from the Room of Forbidden.

At least that’s what I thought. But things are never this easy.
Just when I’ve put the past behind me, Lost Souls cross over into the Real World. 

Then Alex disappears without a trace. As I desperately search for him, I discover secrets I wish I could forget—secrets Alex has been keeping for me. And I’m not sure what to do. Or who I can trust.

Ok so that's not all of them and there will be more than that but I just wanted to show you some of them and what they are about. So I hope everyone has a good day with lots of fun and celebration and maybe a little bit of reading. Thanks again to all who have visited my blog and taken the time to read my reviews, I hope they've been good. I can't wait for the new year full of new opportunities and best of all new books! Happy New Years Eve and if I don't blog tomorrow Happy New Years!

Vanessa

Silence (Hush, Hush #3)

Silence (Hush, Hush #3)
By Becca Fitzpatrick
Published October 4th, 2011 by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
448 pages

4.5 stars - Amazing!

WHEN SILENCE IS ALL THAT'S LEFT, CAN THE TRUTH FINALLY BE HEARD?

Nora Grey can't remember the past five months of her life. After the initial shock of waking up in a cemetery and being told that she has been missing for weeks - with no one knowing where she was or who she was with - she tried to get her life back on track. Go to school, hang out with her best friend, Vee, and dodge mom's creepy new boyfriend.

But there is this voice in the back of her head, an idea that she can almost reach out and touch. Visions of angel wings and unearthly creatures that have nothing to do with the life she knows.

And this unshakable feeling that a part of her is missing.

Then Nora crosses paths with a sexy stranger, whom she feels a mesmerizing connection to. He seems to hold all the answers...and her heart. Every minute she spends with him grows more and more intense until she realizes she could be falling in love. Again.

Wow this was an amazing third book and intriguing just like the other two. Silence begins in the cemetery with Nora waking up and not remembering the past 5 months of her life. But what's even odder than this is that Nora has only been missing for a couple weeks.

Waking up in the middle of the night in a cemetery is creepy enough for Nora but she also can't remember the past 5 months. She's been told that she was kidnapped and hidden somewhere where authorities couldn't find her. Nora can't remember any of this but she is grateful to finally be with her mom and best friend Vee. And while Vee and her mom try to fill her in on what she can't remember Nora gets the feeling that they are leaving something out. Nora just wants normal back but it's not that easy for her to get her hands on. School isn't bearable with Marcie and her mom has a new creepy boyfriend. Then Nora meets a guy in the middle of the night. He swears he doesn't know her but he seems pretty familiar. And the more she spends time with him the more she seems to be falling in love but is it for the first time or the second?

Silence was thrilling just from the beginning. I really enjoyed this book and I'll try to explain without giving too many spoilers. We don't know what happened to Nora exactly but we have a pretty good idea. I know that I was pretty sad that Nora couldn't remember Patch and when I found out why her memory had been erased I was even more upset but in a good way. A good thing is that Patch is in this book and we have Vee again as well. Patch goes by a different name and we learn a little more about him. We learn more about Nora's father and her bloodline. The whole book is exciting and the end is surprising and just awesome. I don't want to say anything else except that this book is worth reading and is a book that will keep you up wanting to know more. Its a great lead in to the last book and Becca did a fantastic job. But once again check it out for yourself.

Vanessa

Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2)

Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2)
By Becca Fitzpatrick
Published October 19th, 2010 by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
427 pages

4.5 stars - Great sequel!


Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it. A mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever (if that's possible) and what's worse, he seems to be spending time with Nora's archenemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude, Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feelings that he is hiding something.

If that weren't enough, Nora is haunted by images of her murdered father, and comes to question whether her Nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death. Desperate to figure out what happened, she puts herself in increasingly dangerous situations to get the answer. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

So I know that I kind of put up my reviews of the Hush, Hush series out of order but nonetheless I'm putting up the second book now. Crescendo is just as intriguing as Hush, Hush and isn't like your average sequel. The story picks up where the first book left of and while life seems to be going well for Nora things take an unexpected turn. 

Patch starts acting weird and even more elusive than he normally is which takes a toll on his and Nora's relationship. What's even worse is that Patch seems to be spending time with Marcie, Nora's archenemy. Patch claims nothings happening but if that's the case then what's really going on. At the same time Nora's mom tries getting her to spend some more time with an old family friend, Scott Parnell. While Scott is infuriating he also has something different about  him. And to complicate things even more Nora is having visions of her father's death which seem to be trying to tell her who the murderer is. But are the visions true and if they are does Nora really want to find out who murdered her father? In the end who can Nora trust and who deserves to go straight to Hell?

Crescendo introduced us to a couple new characters and a new problem. Personally I thought that this sequel was interesting and I couldn't put it down much like the first book. I didn't really ever know who Nora could trust and there were some surprising twists. Secrets and questions were answered and the whole time I was hoping for the best for Nora and Patch. The ending was definitely interesting and a total cliff hanger and had me wanting more. Overall Crescendo was a great sequel and different from usual sequels. So check this one out for yourself.

Vanessa

Insurgent Review

Insurgent (Divergent #2)

By Veronica Roth

Published May 1st, 2012 by Harper Teen

525 pages

4.5 stars - Great Sequel! 

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

"New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian "Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

I have been meaning to write a review on this for a couple of days and now I have finally found the time. And since its been awhile since I read this book there won't be too much detail, not that there would have been anyways. I don't like spoiling things. :)

I was very impressed with Insurgent because not only was it a pretty great read but it was also an awesome second book in a series. I'm always weary of the second book in a series because it can end up repeating the same information or not stand up to the first book. But Insurgent met my expectations and was thrilling and interesting. There are new characters and new problems that we are introduced to. 

Tris I feel ends up growing even more in this book and learning from her mistakes. She struggles with whether she should keep her secrets or let someone know. She struggles with her guilt and her feelings for Four but she just grows in the process. Four is great once again and we get to see even more of his feelings for Tris. Their relationship grows stronger because it is definitely put to some tests. And of course there are a few other characters that end up surprising us. There is even someone close to home that ends up not being who we thought they were.

But over all Insurgent was a thrilling and anticipating book. It didn't get boring and had me reading till morning. There were so many twists and surprises that I didn't see coming and there was romance and even some heartbreaks that had me a little teary eyed. The ending is action packed and has even more surprises to offer. It really has me waiting impatiently for the next book because I really can't wait to see what will happen to our characters next. So check this book out and see for yourself. 

Vanessa

Finale Review

Finale (Hush, Hush #4)

By Becca Fitzpatrick

Published October 23rd by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

454 pages

5 stars! - An Amazingly Great Ending!!

Will love conquer all?

Nora and Patch thought their troubles were behind them. Hank is gone and they should be able to put his ugly vendetta to rest. But in Hank's absence, Nora has become the unwitting head of the Nephilim and must finish what Hank began. Which ultimately means destroying the fallen angels - destroying Patch.

Nora will never let that happen, so she and Patch make a plan: lead everyone to believe they have broken up, and work the system from the inside. Nora will convince the Nephilim that they are making a mistake in fighting the fallen angels, and Patch will find out everything he can from the opposing side. They will end this war before it can even begin.

But the best-laid plans often go awry. Nora is put through the paces in her new role and finds herself drawn to an addictive power she never anticipated.

As the battle lines are drawn, Nora and Patch must confront the differences that have always been between them and either choose to ignore them or let them destroy the love they have always fought for.

Oh my gosh!! I just finished reading Finale yesterday and I can't believe that its all over.  I'm going to really miss all of the wonderful characters, especially Patch :). Finale was an amazing conclusion to this brilliant series and I have to say that I feel very content with the outcome. I'm not going to give a summary because I don't want to give away any spoilers.

I will say that we have all the old characters back along with some new ones. There are some unexpected friendships that are started and betrayals that even I didn't see coming. The relationship I loved the most though was between Patch and Nora. I loved how they were able to stick together even though there were many things getting in the way. We don't get to see Vee as much as in the other books and while that upset me a little in the end it was worth it because we learn about a few secrets that Vee has been keeping from Nora. We get to see Scott and even Marcie plus a new character, Dante. To tell you the truth I wasn't totally sold on him in the beginning and I was a little suspicious of him as well. But I won't say anything more so I don't give anything away. One thing I will say is that Nora grew in this book. She had so much to deal with in this story and I really felt for her and her stresses. Of course she also gained power and strength since she is a full Nephilim now.

Ahh I just loved this book and I don't know what to say to justify its greatness! It didn't ever get boring and there were twists and an ending that even I didn't see coming. I laughed and cried along with the characters. There were questions that were answered and some of my wishes were granted as well :). Oh and just so you know Detective Basso shows up again and there is definitely something up with him but I'll let you figure it out on your own. Anyways just wow, I can't believe that this amazing series is over! I loved reading each book and once again I'll definitely miss these wonderful characters. This last book holds so many answers to all the questions and secrets are finally told. The ending is incredible and sad all at the same time. If you haven't read this book yet read it now! And if you haven't read this series yet then read it now! I really want to say more but then I start spoiling things and no one wants that. Also I bought the book from Walmart which had a lost letter from Patch to Nora in it. If any of you get this the letter is great as well. It took all my strength to not read it before reading the book but it was worth the wait. 

So I hope everyone has a good holiday and don't forget to check this book out for yourself!

Vanessa

Divergent

Divergent (Divergent #1)

By Veronica Roth

Published February 28th, 2012 by Katherine Tegen Books

487 pages

4.5 stars - It was awesome!

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Veronica Roth is the "New York Times" bestselling author of "Divergent," the first in a trilogy of dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

So I was finally able to read Divergent this week as well as all the others books I had been waiting to read. I had heard and read reviews of how great it was but I didn't know if I would think the same. I definitely did! Haha, I really enjoyed Divergent and once I started reading I couldn't stop. 

I don't want to give too much away and I think that the synopsis above does a pretty good job and getting you hooked so I might not write too much. Anyways I really loved Tris! She seriously grew right before my eyes in this book. In the begining she didn't know what she wanted and she didn't really know where she fit in and belonged. But by the end of the story she knew what she wanted to do and who she was beginning to be. She became stronger and she had to because she was in Dauntless. And then she started learning how to have a relationship, though it wasn't easy, with Four. Yeah Four is the name of the main guy in this book and I loved him just as much as Tris. We got to learn about him throughout the book and seeing his feelings for Tris was great. He wasn't too protective but he wasn't too harsh either and that was nice. There are a bunch of other great characters in the book and some characters that will make you hate them as well.  But that's what makes a good book, right?

Divergent was an entertaining book with a ton of action. The characters were forced to make some serious decisions that had consequences that could help them or hurt them. I never knew what the outcome was going to be and I was surprised many times by what ended up happening. This is was makes a bestselling book and definitely a favorite of mine. I finished it and instantly wanted more...so I picked up the second one and started that as well. Once again I really enjoyed this start to a very interesting series. The concept made me think, which you know I like, and I was hardly ever bored. I also cried a few times. :) So I encourage you to check it out if you've been on the fence or if you are just now finding this book and series. Have fun!

Vanessa

Pushing the Limits

Pushing the Limits (Pushing the Limits #1)

By Katie McGarry

Published July 31st, 2012 by Harlequin Teen

392 pages

5 stars - AMAZING!!!

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

I was so happy when I was finally able to buy this book because I had been wanting to read it ever since it came out! I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. From page one, I was drawn into this book. It was just amazing and I had a sort of insta love for the characters and the story itself.

I don't want to give too much away so I'm not going to really summarize the book for you. I think the top summary from the book gives a pretty good description. I will tell you all about why I loved these characters though. So the two main characters are Echo and Noah. Both are troubled teens. Echo has scars all over her arms and yet she doesn't know what happened to make them like that. She knows that she woke in the hospital and that she had been at her mom's house the night it happened. Now that she's back at school she has to deal with all the rumors and stares. Plus she has to deal with figuring out who her real friends are. Noah is in foster care along with his brothers. Brothers who he barely gets to see because he doesn't live with them. He's the bad boy and isn't one for relationships, until he meets Echo. I have to tell you that while reading both of these teens' stories I felt bad for them. I felt so strongly for these characters and was sad when they were and happy when they were. I loved seeing them both grow throughout the whole book and figure out who they were. I also loved the relationship between the both of them. I think I loved seeing Noah and his relationships with others the best. And besides these two characters there were others as well that were love worthy and hate worthy.

So I don't know if now I'm just babbling but the point I have today is that Pushing the Limits is a great book. Despite what others may think of it I still have my opinion. Pushing the Limits made me cry and laugh and really think about the situations people are in. And any book that can make me do all three things is a favorite worthy book. I flew threw this book and at times had to try to delay myself because I didn't want to finish it. So I encourage you to check it out and see for yourself.

Vanessa

Onyx (Lux #2)

Onyx (Lux #2)

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published August 14th, 2012 by Entangled Teen

366 pages

5 stars - AMAZING!!

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

Oh my gosh!! I loved this book even more than the first one! Just last week I was finally able to purchase Onyx and I'm so glad that I did because it was really amazing. 

Onyx starts off right were Obsidian left off and all our old characters are back, along with a few new ones. And along with new characters there are also new problems. Something is wrong with Katy and it could be life threatening to not only her but everyone one around her. The Arum are also back along with the Department of Defense which isn't a good sign at all. Plus there's a new kid in school and even though he seems sweet there is a secret he is hiding as well. Katy must figure out who to trust and who to keep an eye out for because nobody is safe. 

So I know that that summary was kind of vague but I don't want to give away too much. I was actually surprised by a lot of the events that went on. First I would think that I knew what was going to happen and then the next minute it all changed. This was something I loved yet again, not knowing what would happen in the end. I also loved the characters which we met in the first book. I feel like we got to see Katy grow more in this book and not just have to rely on someone else all the time. Then there was Daemon who is just great all around but this time we got to see his true feelings for his family and Kat. I laughed at the banter between Daemon and Katy and I cried at a few parts as well. This was an all around good book and for being a sequel in a series it was even better. I just can't wait to read the next book! Oh and there is a pretty great surprise at the end of Onyx that will either be good for the characters or make life harder. So anyways, overall I absolutely adored this book and I suggest you check it out as well.

Thanks,

Vanessa