Avenging Amethyst Review

Avenging Amethyst (Immortal Eyes #1)
By Kaitlyn Price
Published January 21st, 2013
232 pages

4.5 stars - Intriguing new series!


*This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*



Avery and her mother have always been on the run. After her mother is murdered by something supernatural, she is left to fend for herself, alone and filled with questions. She receives a note by a stranger, giving her the opportunity to get some answers, and Avery warily accepts. She would rather face the truth than continue to be on the run.

What she discovers is nothing like she could’ve imagined. The stranger’s name is Felix, and he’s part of a race of creatures called Lovac. He tells Avery that she is a Lovac, too, and that they’re the distant descendants of the ancient vampire Nosferatu, along with two other races—the Nesmyr and Zhulik.

However, the Lovac are doomed to insanity, and nearly all of them lose their minds in their early twenties. The only way to be saved from the curse is for a Lovac to find their Dimidium, the one creature that can calm the darkness.

Nightmarish visions, kidnappings, and a lifestyle she never knew existed consume Avery’s life as she begins the search for her Dimidium and to get revenge for her mother’s death.

So Avenging Amethyst is the first in a new and intriguing series. Right from reading the synopsis I was hooked. Even though books have been written about vampires and mythical creatures and all that this book was pretty different. 

Avery is 18 and just of recently is by herself with no family to help her out. When her mother is murdered by something supernatural Avery is thrust into a world she didn't know existed. One full of every mythical being she could think of. But the mythical race she belongs to is the Lovac, a distant descendant of an ancient vampire. Left with a few personal belongings and a note and money from her mother Avery sets out on avenging her mother's death. 

I really liked Avery's character and her views. She was interesting and was willing to learn how to live her new life even if it was difficult. Of course she had help from Felix and Riley, two other characters that quickly grew on me. Especially Felix, haha. But really I loved how they were both willing to help Avery out and how they really cared about her. Riley is what I'd want in a girl friend. Anyways I did enjoy this book and I thought it was an intriguing start to this new series. The powers that the Lovac, Nesmyr and Zhulik had were interesting, as was the history of their races. I mean I know that there are a lot of books about vampires out there, and vampires are kind of the main race of this book, but this author gives us more than one race of them. Each group is different, like the Lovac aren't really complete vampires because they are a mix of human and Zhulik. And each group have thier own powers and dissablities. Which brings us to the Dimidium. Dimidium are basically the soul mates of Lovac since Lovac can't be together and the Dimidium take away the darkness. And this causes a problem with two of the characters in the book which you'll find out. 

But anyways you'd have to read the book to better understand everything. Which brings me to another good thing about this book, I liked how everything was explained and it didn't leave me with too many questions about what was going on. And of course it was just plain interesting, especially near the end. I don't want to give too much away so I'm not going to go into too much detail. All I'm going to say is that Avenging Amethyst was an enjoyable book and I really can't wait for the second one to come out. I really want to know the outcome of the characters! So I recommend you check this book out because you won't be disappointed! 

Vanessa

The Lost Soul Review

The Lost Soul (Fallen Souls #1)

By Jessica Sorensen

Published June 27th, 2012 

300 pages

*Kindle Edition Only!*

4.5 stars - Awesome Spin - Off!

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.

Oh my gosh! I have already read the Fallen Star Series and if you haven't read that series then read it now! The Lost Soul was a delightful first book of a spin off series and I was so thrilled when I found out I could read more about Alex and Gemma.

I don't want to give too much away but there is definitely a ton of twists throughout this book. Oh and it didn't feel like 300 pages when I finished it in like a day. But anyways we leave off right where the last book in the Fallen Star Series ended and as usual nothing can ever stay put. There are more mysteries and problems for the characters but nonetheless it was worth it.

I really don't know what to say because I don't want to spoil anything. There were times when I didn't see something coming or when I didn't know who to trust. The suspense was there throughout the whole book and there wasn't ever a dull moment. All I can say is that Jessica did it again and I was immersed in the book since page one. Gemma and Alex are back along with Aislin and Laylen. There are a couple new characters but not too much. There are some secrets revealed though that we didn't know before and the ending is definitely a cliff hanger. Of course we also have Gemma and Alex's relationship as well and I know I don't ever get bored of that but I will say that both relationships are tested. I laughed and I cried and I got mad a couple times but I absolutely loved this book. I really can't wait for the next one and to be able to find out the outcome of my favorite characters! If you haven't read the first series then read it! If you have then read this book as well! So pick it up and check it out. I hope you love it as much as I did.

Vanessa

This World We Live In Review

This World We Live In (The Last Survivors #3)

By Susan Beth Pfeffer

Published April 1st, 2010 by Harcourt Children's Books

239 pages

4 stars - Very Interesting!!

It’s been a year since a meteor collided with the moon, catastrophically altering the earth’s climate. For Miranda Evans, life as she knew it no longer exists. Her friends and neighbors are dead, the landscape is frozen, and food is increasingly scarce.

The struggle to survive intensifies when Miranda’s father and stepmother arrive with a baby and three strangers in tow. One of the newcomers is Alex Morales, and as Miranda’s complicated feelings for him turn to love, his plans for his future thwart their relationship. Then a devastating tornado hits the town of Howell, and Miranda makes a decision that will change their lives forever.

This World We Live In is the 3rd book in The Last Survivors series and it doesn't disappoint  In the last book readers had just learned about the Morales kids and their new lives after the meteor ruined everything. In the first book we grew to love the Evans family and the difficult times they went through. Now both families come together for a whole new struggle.

It's been a year since the tragic day when the a meteor collided with the moon causing chaos all over the world and Miranda has stopped trying to live life as she knew it. Alex Morales is trying to keep not only himself safe but he younger sister as well and it's still not easy when they don't have any parents to help them. Both total strangers to another, neither one of them would have expected their lives to coincide, but that's exactly what happens when Miranda's father and stepmother come to visit. Life was difficult enough for the Evan's family and now they have to help out Miranda's dad, stepmother, baby and three other strangers. These complications don't make Miranda feel like being giving especially to the Morales kids but will her feelings change the longer they stay?

I really liked this book just as much as I liked the other two. I really didn't see the two families coming together but the outcome was great. I liked how the kids were all different and how you could tell that they came from different upbringings and yet they were still able to get along. I feel like we see Miranda really grow in this book and I thought that was great. Miranda was able to realize how bad things really were and to see that she was still pretty lucky in the situation at hand. Alex was great as well and you could tell that he grew just as much. We were introduced again to the other characters as well and new relationships formed over the book. The characters had to face more problems but they stuck together and I really enjoyed reading about all of them. The ending was kind of surprising for me and to tell you the truth I had thought this was the last book. But...its not! Another book is coming out soon and I definitely can't wait to find out what happens to the characters I have come to care for. Check this book out for yourself!

Vanessa

The Dead and The Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Dead and The Gone (The Last Survivors #2)
By Susan Beth Pfeffer
Published June 1st, 2008 by Harcourt Children's Books
321 pages

4 stars - Soo Interesting!


Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life as We Knew It enthralled and devastated readers with its brutal but hopeful look at an apocalyptic event--an asteroid hitting the moon, setting off a tailspin of horrific climate changes. Now this harrowing companion novel examines the same events as they unfold in New York City, revealed through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Puerto Rican Alex Morales. When Alex's parents disappear in the aftermath of tidal waves, he must care for his two younger sisters, even as Manhattan becomes a deadly wasteland, and food and aid dwindle.

With haunting themes of family, faith, personal change, and courage, this powerful new novel explores how a young man takes on unimaginable responsibilities.

After I had finished reading Life As We Knew It I was incredibly happy to find out that Pfeffer had written a second book! Even though The Dead and The Gone is the sequel to the first book in the Last Survivors series it doesn't really follow the usual sequel flow. We don't have the characters from the first book but we have the same devastating problem. The world is still undergoing an apocalyptic event.

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get into this book like I did with the other but I was definitely wrong. The Dead and The Gone is just as great and powerful as the first book and is filled with wonderful characters facing hard times. Alex Morales is the main character and even though he is only 17 he is responsible for his two younger sisters. Alex's parents have disappeared and with no one to take care of them Alex must become the head of the house. But this isn't an easy task especially with the situation that the world is in and Alex is put to the test. 

The characters is this book were great. I loved Alex and his sisters and I really had a connection with them. I was sad to see them have to go through some pain and turmoil and all without their parents. It was the different and yet the same from Miranda's story and I really appreciated seeing the Morale's side of things. Alex and his faith was put through the test and there were some depressing things that he had to go through. He had to grow up fast and so did his younger sisters. And that's another thing I enjoyed seeing, Alex and especially Julie grow up. This book was enjoyable and powerful and just a great read. I recommend that you read this if you already read the first book but you could even read this book and not be lost if you haven't read the first one. Either way I encourage you to try for yourself.

Vanessa

Life As We Knew It Review

Life As We Knew It (The Last Survivors #1)

By Susan Beth Pfeffer

Published October 1st,  2006 by Harcourt Children's Books

337 pages

4 stars - Very Captivating!

It’s almost the end of Miranda’s sophomore year in high school, and her journal reflects the busy life of a typical teenager: conversations with friends, fights with mom, and fervent hopes for a driver’s license.

When Miranda first begins hearing the reports of a meteor on a collision course with the moon, it hardly seems worth a mention in her diary. But after the meteor hits, pushing the moon off its axis and causing worldwide earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, all the things Miranda used to take for granted begin to disappear.

Food and gas shortages, along with extreme weather changes, come to her small Pennsylvania town; and Miranda's voice is by turns petulant, angry, and finally resigned, as her family is forced to make tough choices while they consider their increasingly limited options.

Yet even as suspicious neighbors stockpile food in anticipation of a looming winter without heat or electricity, Miranda knows that that her future is still hers to decide even if life as she knew it is over.

Wow, yeah I first read this book in like 7th grade and I still love it and the whole series. Life As We Knew It is an interesting and captivating book that has you wondering what will happened to Miranda's family and everyone around them. The summary above does a pretty good job of explaining what happens and since I don't want to spoil I won't say too much. 

First of all I love how this book is written in journal entries. It really helped me get to know Miranda who is just like any typical teenager except for the fact that her life is changing pretty quickly. Second of all I love how I was able to get to know that characters even though the entries are Miranda's. It felt like I was there with them and all the scariness and happiness they were going through. This book, even though it wasn't heavy, really made me think about what it would be like to go through something like this. It makes you appreciate what you have more, like electricity and family :).

Anyways like I was saying, you could really feel Miranda's voice and you could tell how she really didn't understand what was going on in the beginning. But I loved watching her grow throughout the book and learn about what you should appreciate in life. Her brothers and her mom were the only ones she really had the company of when things started getting worse. And now I feel like I'm not making sense so I'm just going to say that this is a captivating series and great for any age. This book doesn't get boring and has you wondering what will become of a family and everyone they know. I loved it when I was in middle school and still love it now. So check this book out and check out the whole series. Maybe you'll like it and form a bond with the characters like I did. :)

Vanessa

Clockwise Review

Clockwise (Clockwise #1)

By Elle Strauss

Published September 19th, 2011 by ESB Publishing 

290 pages

4 stars - Very Enjoyable!

Casey Donovan has issues: hair, height and uncontrollable trips to the 19th century! And now this—she’s accidentally taken Nate Mackenzie, the cutest boy in the school, back in time. Awkward.

Protocol pressures her to tell their 1860 hosts that he is her brother and when Casey finds she has a handsome, wealthy (and unwanted) suitor, something changes in Nate. Are those romantic sparks or is it just “brotherly” protectiveness?

When they return to the present, things go back to the way they were before: Casey parked on the bottom of the rung of the social ladder and Nate perched high on the very the top. Except this time her heart is broken. Plus, her best friend is mad, her parents are split up, and her younger brother gets escorted home by the police. The only thing that could make life worse is if, by some strange twist of fate, she took Nate back to the past again.

Which of course, she does.

I just finished Clockwise yesterday and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. From reading the synopsis I figured it would be an ok read but it was more than ok, it was pretty enjoyable. I thought that the whole time traveling concept was interesting and new compared to what I've been reading. Clockwise was a refreshing and interesting read. 

So Casey Donovan has been time traveling to the 19th century ever since she was young. The problem? The traveling back in time is uncontrollable and can happen at any time. And the thing is Casey has had her traveling under control for awhile and hasn't had much of a problem, until she accidentally takes Nate Mackenzie with her. Now Casey has to get Nate to understand what goes on with time travel and she has to make sure he doesn't blow their cover in a time period that is very different then the one they are use to. Things seem to go well and it almost seems as if Nate is getting closer to Casey. But that cant be because Nate is the cutest boy in school, popular and already has a girlfriend. This means that once they get back home and everything goes back to normal, it really does go back to normal with Casey being ignored by her crush. Casey doesn't think she could handle seeing Nate again and of course it would be horrible if she accidentally tripped and took Nate to the past again. The other problem? She does.

Clockwise was a truly enjoyable book. I loved Casey's character because she was just herself and she was smart. She knew her history and of course she probably had to since she traveled back in time constantly. Speaking of back in time, I really enjoyed the times she would go back to the 1860's. Strauss really got everything right when writing those parts and I liked how the lingo changed to that of the 19th century. Seeing Casey and Nate interact with the characters of a different time period was captivating in a way. It was also nice to see how Nate was able to grow throughout the whole book and of course the relationship between Casey and Nate. I really want to read the next book and see what happens with everything. But anyways I do recommend Clockwise to others and suggest you pick it up. So try it out for yourself.

Vanessa