Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini (Starcrossed #1)

Original title: Starcrossed

Year published: 2011

Published by: Macmillan Children’s Books

Number of pages: 518

First sentence: “’But if you bought me a car now, it would be yours when I go away to school in two years’”

Plot: When shy, awkward Helen Hamilton meets Lucas Delos for the first time, she thinks two things: the first, that he is the most ridiculously beautiful boy she has seen in her life; the second, that she wants to kill him with her bare hands.
An ancient curse means Lucas and Helen are destined to loathe one another. But sometimes love is stronger than hate, and not even the gods themselves can prevent what will happen next...

(From Goodreads)

My thoughts: *squeals* This was so good! It’s got it all; supernatural stuff, hot boys, hot girls, great friendships, steaminess and GREEK MYTHOLOGY! How do you even manage this? Authors amaze me. I’ve had very few books where I read the first one in a series and was immediately hooked (Sweet series is one of those) but this was just WOW. I love Greek mythology so for me this was amazing. I didn’t even know there was going to be Greek mythology in it until I actually got to the part where Helen starts googling the Furies and even then I didn’t completely understand it, but when Lucas and the rest of the Delos family start explaining I was like “holy shit”. Speaking of the Delos family, can we just appreciate the awesomeness of that family for a second. I read “Twilight meets the Iliad” and I was like “no” but after a while I was like “yeah maybe” because if you think about it it’s kind of like Twilight but the gorgeous family are the newcomers. And also Lucas Delos is so much more gorge than Edward Cullen ever was. And the Delos family is so much more awesome than the Cullens ever were. The whole Delos family is gorgeous. I would say “the genes man, the genes” but since they’re beauty doesn’t have as much to do with genes as it does with Fate I won’t say it. I’m totally in love with every single family member (the immediate family not those scary One Hundred Cousins) except for maybe Cassie ‘cause she scares the shit out of me. But Ari, Jason and Hector, oh my, seriously I need Hector for myself, since Jason is so obviously in love with Claire and Lucas is meant to be with Helen. I even like the older guys; Castor and Pallas, even though Pallas is sort of an ass at first, sort of justified though.

I loved this whole “I wanna kill you but then you sort of saved my life so now I love you” thing. Totally adorable and at times embarrassing. I love that Helen and Lucas are meant to be because of the whole star-crossed lover thing. And how ironic isn’t it that Lucas was supposed to be named Paris. At that moment in the book I think I died a bit. That was just too much for my fragile heart too handle. But what really tipped me over was when Helen’s mom (major bitch, btw) shows up after like 17 years and tells this lie to make Helen and Lucas believe that they’re cousins. What is it with parents telling they’re kids that they’re related to the people they’re in love with!?!?! It pisses me off (yes Cassandra Clare I’m talking about bloody Valentine)!

This review turned out really messy but that’s just because I’m so excited about this that I don’t know what to talk about and when! It was amazing! So of course I gave it 5/5 stars on Goodreads. The next book in the series; ‘Dreamless’ is now on my to buy list!

Do I recommend it? Hells yes!

Abandon by Meg Cabot (Abandon #1)

Original title: Abandon

Year published: 2011

Published by: Macmillan Children’s Books

Number of pages: 304

First sentence: “Anything can happen in the blink of an eye.”

Plot: Last year Pierce died, just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John: tall dark and terrifying. There's a fierce attraction between them, but Pierce knows that if she allows herself to fall for John she will be doomed to a life of shadows and loneliness in the underworld.

My thoughts: I had such high hopes for this book. It sounded like it could be the next big thing, but I guess if it was it would’ve been more known by now right? It could have been amazing. I so wanted it to be amazing. But it wasn’t. The story itself is actually a good one. Seven year old Pierce meets a young man in the cemetery after he grandfather’s funeral, he brings a dead bird back to life. Eight years later Pierce drowns and ends up by a lake with a bunch of other people apparently waiting for boats to take them somewhere. There she sees this young man she met all those years ago at the cemetery. Thing is, he hasn’t aged, like at all, and he kind of seems to be running the place. He asks her if she’d rather go someplace warm, which she of course agrees to because she’s wet, cold, and scared. How was she supposed to know that this means that she must stay with him forever? How was she supposed to know she was dead? So what does she do? She throws hot tea in his face and runs. She wakes up in the hospital and finds out that hypothermia is what saved her. Two years later, Pierce is 17 and a lot of weird stuff has happened since she “came back”. She’s moved to Isla Huesos with her mother, to start over. So she’s not all that surprised when she runs into this young man –who by the way is named John- at the cemetery where they first met. They have met a couple of times between her death and now of course. John seems to always be around when she’s in danger. She finds out that the place with the lake was actually the Underworld and that John is some kind of death deity. Also, he’s  chosen Pierce to be his consort. Kind of like Hades and Persephone. Wait, no, exactly like Hades and Persephone. This would freak anyone out, and it does freak Pierce out at first. Until she realizes that she’s in love with him. And despite him being such a jerk – but who wouldn’t be if you’d thrown hot tea in his face?- he’s in love with her too. So how does this end? Right back where we started, with Pierce back in the Underworld –although not dead this time- trying to figure out a way to get out. Stay away from the tea John!

I love the story. The writing however, not so much. It kind of reminds me of the way I first wrote back in 2008 when I started writing fanfictions. The whole “walking down memory lane” whilst in the middle of a conversation is annoying as hell. I mean sure, I want to know what happened to Pierce when she died and all that jazz. But does she need to have an inner monologue with herself in the middle of a conversation with her uncle, cousin, mom, creepy teacher, cemetery guy or John? No not really. You can dedicate entire chapters to that. You don’t have to go: ““Yes”, Uncle Chris said as I walked towards him. Kind of like I’d walked towards John the day I’d died. I wasn’t really sure what the hell I’d been thinking just walking up to him like that. Stepping out of the line, which we’d been specifically told not to do. But I couldn’t stop myself.  I walked towards him and the next thing I knew hooves where descending, very close to my face. I thought I was going to die.” It’s just annoying. Yes I want to know what happened with John but please can you finish the damn conversation with uncle Chris first? God.  Also, sometimes I felt that Pierce was so naïve and childish. Sure she was only seventeen but sometimes if felt more like twelve.

So yeah, it wasn’t really as pleasant of an experience as I thought it was going to be. I gave this 3 out 5 stars on Goodreads.

Do I recommend it? No, not really. The story is great but it was very poorly executed.

Love, In English by Karina Halle (Love, In English #1)

Original title: Love, In English

Year published: 2014

Published by: Metal Blonde Books

Number of pages: 439

First sentence: “My name is Vera Miles.”

Plot: To a restless dreamer like Vera Miles, it sounded like the experience of a lifetime. Instead of spending her summer interning for her astronomy major, she would fly to Spain where she’d spend a few weeks teaching conversational English to businessmen and women, all while enjoying free room and board at an isolated resort. But while Vera expected to get a tan, meet new people and stuff herself with wine and paella, she never expected to fall in love.

Mateo Casalles is unlike anyone Vera has ever known, let alone anyone she’s usually attracted to. While Vera is a pierced and tatted free spirit with a love for music and freedom, Mateo is a successful businessman from Madrid, all sharp suits and cocky Latino charm. Yet, as the weeks go on, the two grow increasingly close and their relationship changes from purely platonic to something…more.

Something that makes Vera feel alive for the first time.

Something that can never, ever be.

Or so she thinks.

(From Goodreads)

My thoughts: I could not put this down! I started reading it this morning and seven hours later I was done. And when I was I felt empty. You know a book has been really good if you feel empty when it’s over. God, where to begin?

I loved the book, and I mean the entire book, there wasn’t a thing I didn’t like about it. It was funny, sad, angering, passionate, sexy, romantic. It was all the things you’d want a book to be, at least what I want a book to be. I loved Vera’s story, getting to know her past, her fears and her dreams. I loved the characters, Vera is an amazing young woman and I loved that she had tats and piercings, she was real, someone you could relate to. Not that I have that many tattoos and piercings myself but still. I loved the friendships she made with the other characters and her relationship with her brother Josh. And oh my god, Mateo (maybe I should be saying “dios mio” instead?). Holy mother of god! No you know what “DIOS MIO” is the only thing that’s going to work here. I absolutely loved Mateo, his charm, his temper, his looks, his personality, his accent. I actually never thought I’d like a Spanish accent, but guess what? I do! I need a Mateo of my own. Where the hell can I buy one? (Okay that sounded much better in my head, I swear). I want a relationship like the one Vera and Mateo has, passionate, hot damn! And even though cheating hits home with me I can’t help loving this, because I truly felt like they belonged together. It was almost too much at times. Like, can two people really love each other that much? Apparently they can.

This book was one hell of a rollercoaster ride. A heart-breaking, gut wrenching kind. I seriously felt like I was going to die at times. The air wouldn’t properly fill my lungs and I wanted scream at Vera and Mateo and tell them to stop being so stupid! “You love each other! Be with each other!”. God, it was nerve wrecking. But I loved it nonetheless. Plus I got to put my poor school Spanish to the test.

I will definitely be reading a lot more of Karina Halle’s work. Starting with the sequel to this one, “Love, In Spanish”. I knew I’d love her books before I even started reading, sometimes you just do. It was the same with Christina Lee. And I swear if these women don’t stop writing about these super sexy men soon I’m going to implode.

 “You burn so brightly. I would like to burn with you”

Goodreads rating: 5/5

Do I recommend it? Si, claro! This book was bloody amazing!

Angelfall by Susan Ee (Penryn & the End of Days #1)

Original title: Angelfall

Year published: 2011/2012

Published by: Skyscape

Number of pages: 288

First sentence: “Ironically, since the attacks, the sunsets have been glorious.”

Plot: It's been six weeks since the angels of the apocalypse destroyed the world as we know it. Only pockets of humanity remain. 

Savage street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. 

When angels fly away with a helpless girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back...

(From Goodreads)

My thoughts: First thought was, naaah. But as soon as Penryn and her family steps out onto the street and feathers start falling from the sky things get interesting. Although it was a bit obvious that Penryn was going to save Raffe’s life I still liked it. It also felt truly inevitable for her to fall in love with him and the other way around. But he sure doesn’t show it. Not until he thinks she’s dead. He’s a total douche but I can’t help but love him anyway. Gaah. What is it with me and angels?

So anyway, the story is really great and I love the mythology (can I call it mythology when it’s stuff from the bible?) and I found myself going: “Huh. I actually already knew that” and “Hold the phone. An angel called Raffe, could this be the archangel Raphael?”. While trying to figure out the bad guys names I drew on my previous experience of reading neph/angel books and I wasn’t all that surprised to find out that the bad guy was named Beliel. I’ve stumbled upon that name before. Yes, Wendy Higgins is responsible, isn’t she always?

This book is packed with action, there’s not one moment where something’s not happening, much to Penryn’s chagrin. But that’s what I loved about it. I was never bored and I just wanted to keep reading it. That’s what a book should be, don’t ya think?

The thing that drew me to this book was actually the name and the cover and once I’d read what it was about I was sold. This book has two of my favorite things in it. Okay maybe more than two if we count the hot guys. But what I’m talking about is dystopia and angels. It’s like Susan Ee has read my mind and written the exact thing I wanted and needed.

I gave this book 4/5 stars on Goodreads, I would’ve given it 5 but despite how much I loved it there was something missing. Maybe the dystopia was too much of just that, dystopia. Too cold, not enough love and human emotions. Not sure. I’m looking forward to reading the next one nonetheless. It’s patiently waiting for me in my Kindle library.

Do I recommend it? Heck yes! If you like I have a thing for either dystopia or angels, or maybe both, then you should definitely read this!

The Zeuorian Awakening by Cindy Zablockis (The Zeuorian #1)

Original title: The Zeuorian Awakening

Year published: 2013

Published by: CZ Publishing, LLC

Number of pages: 254

First sentence: “Everything can change ina blink of an eye, Lexi Greene learned the hard way after her parents had died.”

Plot: Lexi’s no ordinary teenager. She was born with the ability to read minds and sense danger. But on her seventeenth birthday, she realized how different she was after transforming, literally that is. Now she’s developing powers stronger than a superhero. But she’s no superhero. 

Far from it. 

She has no control over her abilities and causes accidents every time she’s nervous or upset, which being a teenager is hard to avoid, especially when the most popular boys in school are fighting to be with her. 

If that isn’t bad enough, a stranger is following her. She doesn't know who he is or what he wants, yet he knows all about her abilities and that she’s developing more. And . . . he’s her only hope of understanding why she’s changing and others are after her. What she learns will send her life into overdrive.

My thoughts: Okay, so this was a very fast read, I think it took about three hours combined from start to finish. At the beginning I thought “no”, mostly because the language was lacking. But I continued with the book anyway because I thought that the story might be interesting. Which it was.

Lexi has had the power to read minds and feel danger since she was a child but on her 17^th birthday she’s “transformed” and suddenly she can move objects with her mind. As if that wasn’t weird enough all the boys suddenly want her. Speaking of those boys, can I just, wow, okay. So at first there’s Tyler, a jock with kind of a soft side. Lexi has liked him since she first move to Brookings two years prior and he’s kind of cute. So when he claims to have saved her from being kidnapped she believes him, ‘cause he always only wanted what was best for her, right? So all is good, until his crush on her turns into like full stalker mode. I was thoroughly creeped out and then when he basically tries to rape her (maybe it was worse in my head than it actually was?) I’d just had about enough of that guy. There’s also Everett, a surfer “ish” dude who’s really nice. He also shares some interests with Lexi, such as cars, horror movies and a dream of studying at MIT. And then there’s this mysterious guy inside Lexi’s head who tells her to stay out of danger, this also happens to be the guy Tyler saved her from and who’s been following her. Hmm. Plot thickens. So who is this Watcher guy? Is it Tyler, yeah could be, until Lexi telepathically tells him not to have sex with her and he sort of doesn’t listen.

There’s also the fact that Lexi has lost her memories of an entire summer, namely the summer before her parents died. Apparently she spent it in Colorado, falling hopelessly in love with a boy, who knew about her powers. So can this boyfriend she can’t remember be her Watcher, maybe who knows?

Okay, so basically what we’ve gathered is that this book is really cliché, or maybe cliché isn’t the right word for it? Hmm. Anyway, it was obvious, sort of anyway. But still I kind of liked it, although there are a lot of unanswered questions lying around. I definitely want to read the next book in the series.

So do I recommend it? Yeah, sure. If you want a fast read that has a somewhat interesting story.

Goodreads rating: 3/5

There You Stand by Christina Lee (Between Breaths #5)

Original title: There You Stand

Year published: 2015

Published by: Penguin/Intermix

Number of pages: - (this is an e-book and a review edition at that)

First sentence: “I swallowed past the lump in my throat and leaned over to pat Chopper, the dog I’d inherited a couple of months ago from Joe, my latest asshole boyfriend.”

Plot: Tattoo artist Cory Easton has worked long enough at Raw Ink to know, just by looking at a dude, what his body art reveals, what makes him tick, what even makes him scared. Until he meets the quiet and remote Jude York—so unreadable, so unreachable, and so unlike anyone else, he can’t help but arouse Cory’s curiosity.

As captivating and complex as his ink, Jude is a mystery—and Cory’s falling fast and hard under his spell. Against his better judgment to steer clear.

The rumors of Jude’s past overshadow him—whispers of prison and an unmentionable secret that’s kept him in the protective shadows of a local motorcycle club. As Cory probes deeper, he wonders how much he really wants to know. Especially since Jude has awakened something inside him that has been buried too long—and has him feeling completely alive for the first time in forever…

(Taken from Goodreads because I’m still reeling)

My thoughts: Holy fucking shit! Pardon the language. This is just too much. Okay so this was my first male/male romance read and I was a bit weary at first and worried that I thought it might not be entirely for me. But holy shit it was! I absolutely loved this. And not just the romance stuff but the story was great, the language was great, it was funny and oh my god, yeah this book has it all!

Both of the guys have these really complicated back stories and you’d think that would be something that scares them. And it sort of does, though Jude is a lot wearier for reasons that become very obvious as you get farther into the book. They get off to a slow start with one of them trying to ignore his feelings for the other (doesn’t that always happen? It pisses me off) but they slowly accept (more or less) that there’s something between them.  They start to build some form of relationship, they connect over their love of dogs and the fact that Jude is getting a tattoo at the place Cory works. Jude is a very quiet person (for reasons, obviously) but Cory manages to draw him out of his shell eventually. Together they share a lot of things, things they’d never shared with anyone before and I just fell in love with their love, does that make sense?

Anyway, I thought for sure I’d be embarrassed when it came to the sexy times, and I was. But I realized I almost always am even if it’s the standard male/female situation. I was embarrassed because it was kind of an embarrassing situation. I mean the things that were said, I’d probably be embarrassed if someone had sad that to me in real life. But still I loved it, I never in my life imagined that two guys together would be that interesting (HOT, yes of course I mean HOT!) but it was.

Christina has a really nice language. It doesn’t feel forced, it felt very natural to read and I could really imagine Cory and Jude’s voices in my head. I even read Jude’s lines with an accent. It was brilliant (said in an English accent of course). There was a sense of humor there that I absolutely adored but there wasn’t so much humor that it took away the seriousness that was ever present in the story which was great because no matter how funny something is we can’t just forget everything bad, right?

So to sum it all up, I loved the book, and if you feel like this would be something for you I think you should definitely read it. Hell, I’m still reeling.

Now I just need to read the rest of the books in the ‘Between Breaths’ series and swoon over some other people.  

There You Stand will be out on April 21^st of this year!

Shadow, Shadow by V.B. Marlowe (The Shadow Pines Trilogy #1)

Original title: Shadow, Shadow

Year published: 2015

Published by: All Night Reads

Number of pages: 208

First sentence: “A girl is trapped in a box, only she doesn’t know that she’s trapped because the box is all she has ever known”

Plot:  "The four of you have been blessed with a great gift. Well, it's a gift for you, but a curse for someone else." Harley receives a mysterious gift on her sixteenth birthday--a shadow box. The box gives her the power to trade someone to the shadows, meaning they will disappear and cease to exist. Harley can't imagine doing such a horrible thing and is warned that using the box comes at a price. Unfortunately, not using the box can be even more costly. Harley must make this life-altering decision as she discovers frightening revelations about the town she calls home.

(From Goodreads)

My thoughts: I got this from NetGalley in exchange for a review. I chose this book because the plot looked interesting. Sure enough, it was. The whole shadows snatching people is really creepy. I’m sure I’ll be scared to be alone with my shadow from now on. So there are these four kids (yes, 16 year olds are kids); Harley, Brock, Teaghan and Gianna and they all share the same birthday. They all receive these Shadow Boxes, with these Shadow Boxes they can give people to the Shadows. Everyone except for Teaghan is reluctant to believe the stories they’ve been told and the powers of the Shadow Boxes. After Teaghan uses it for the first time things start going downhill and it quickly turns into a “kill or be killed” type of scenario. In the midst of all this Harley (who’s kind of the main character) has to deal with a stalker boyfriend and an evil stepmom. And what’s with this quarterly physicals where they’re injected with some sort of “flu” shot? And the shrink? Why is he giving Teaghan and Harley the same medication when one’s suffering from depression and the other headaches?

The scariest thing about this book is that all of the four kids has one family member who’s either missing or dead. Teaghan’s mother was murdered and Harley and Gianna’s mothers both just disappeared one day. Brock’s sister Sierra is also missing.

The writing may not have been the best and at times I thought things were a bit childish, but then again the book is marketed towards kids age 13 and up. Not sure if I qualify. But still the story was good and I want to read the next book which doesn’t even have a date set yet.

Goodreads rating 3/5

Do I recommend it? Yeah, maybe if you’re a younger reader.

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments #2)

Original title: City of Ashes

Year published: 2008

Published by: Walker Books

Number of pages: 411

First sentence: “The formidable glass-and-steel structure rose from its position on Front Street like a glittering needle threading the sky.”

Plot: Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

(Plot taken from Goodreads)

My thoughts: First off, let me just say that I liked this book a lot better than the first one, probably because there were no movie connections to be made here. This was a really good thing and it meant that I could actually enjoy the book, which I did, very much.

A lot of things happen in this book, a lot of life changing things, for some people at least. Can we just take a minute to appreciate Simon? I mean what he goes through in this book and still he’s there for Clary. Simon, I love you.  Then there’s Jace, whom I of course also love but that’s beside the point. He is so hateable in this book, but still I have a lot of sympathy for him. He makes me so mad with his “no I can’t hate my father” crap, ugh. Seriously it is perfectly alright to hate Valentine, I sure as hell do. Say it with me: “I HATE VALENTINE”. There, that wasn’t so hard was it. The whole Valentine situation is so infuriating. Tricking Clary and Jace into believing they’re siblings is just horrible. They are so obviously in love with each other and it just makes reading most of the book weird, it makes me uncomfortable. Especially when they’re with the faerie Queen and she makes them kiss. I was screaming, really. Like why in the bloody hell would they react to each other that way physically if they truly believe that they are brother and sister? It makes no sense. And poor Simon. I feel so bad for him, although he seems okay with everything by the end of the book.

Also there’s Luke, who really steps up in this book. I love Luke. He’s such a nice guy and the way Clary’s like: “you’re not my father, Luke is” aaaaaaah, I loved that.

One thought that stuck with me while reading the book was:  “When the hell is it time for Jocelyn to wake up?” and by the end of this book we get an answer, maybe. So I can’t wait to get started on ‘City of Glass’.

And why didn't Imogen Herondale get to finish telling Jace the truth? Gaaaah! How long am I going to have to wait for Jace to finally know the truth. This is driving me crazy!

I love the Shadowhunter world. If I could I’d probably be one, that or a warlock, with a nice mark like Magnus’ eyes and not horns or green skin.

Do I recommend it? Yep.

Goodreads rating 4/5

Never Forgotten by Kelly Risser (Never Forgotten #1)

Original title: Never Forgotten

Year published: 2014

Published by: Clean Teen Publishing

Number of pages: 328

First sentence: “Meara, where are you?”

Plot: How can one day go so very wrong? One minute Meara Quinn is making plans for how she will spend the summer before her senior year and the next she's finding out that her mother's cancer has returned and they are moving away from the only home she's ever known.

Now every day is a struggle as Meara is trying to cope with her mother's illness, being forced to move to another country to live with grandparents—whom she thought disowned her mother—and having weird visions of a father who was absent her entire life. Top it all off with one whopping secret that everyone seems bent on keeping from her, and Meara has the perfect ingredients for a major melt down.

The only things keeping her from coming unglued are some new friends and Evan—the son of her mother's childhood friend—who seems to know Meara almost better than she knows herself.

Together with Evan and her friends, Meara embarks on a new journey to unlock the secrets that will not only tell Meara who she is, but what she is. How can one day go so very wrong? One minute Meara Quinn is making plans for how she will spend the Summer before her senior year and the next she's finding out that her mother's cancer has returned and they are moving away from the only home she's ever known.

Now every day is a struggle as Meara is trying to cope with her mother's illness, being forced to move to another country to live with grandparents—whom she thought disowned her mother—and having weird visions of a father who was absent her entire life. Top it all off with one whopping secret that everyone seems bent on keeping from her, and Meara has the perfect ingredients for a major melt down.

The only things keeping her from coming unglued are some new friends and Evan—the son of her mother's childhood friend—who seems to know Meara almost better than she knows herself.

Together with Evan and her friends, Meara embarks on a new journey to unlock the secrets that will not only tell Meara who she is, but what she is.

(Plot taken from Goodreads)

My thoughts: Okay, so at first I didn’t like it. I thought the language was a bit weird and the fact that the chapters were really short was a bit annoying. I also didn’t think that you got to know the characters well enough. After a while I learned you didn’t really need to. The story is great all though a bit obvious at some points. Absent dad, scared mom, it all seems like something I’ve read before, hell it even seems like something I’ve written before. Anyway, I was so sure this was going to be another book where the main character finds out she’s a mermaid or a siren or whatever. Meara obviously felt a pull toward the ocean as soon as she arrived in Peggy’s Cove and then there’s the whole deal with her feet. But was she a mermaid? No. She was- wait for it- a freakin’ seal! Or a Selkie as they’re apparently called. How amazing is that? I’m so glad she wasn’t a mermaid, that would have been seriously disappointing. I’ve read so many mermaid books, I mean don’t get me wrong, I love mermaids - one of my favorite book series has mermaids in it – but it just didn’t feel right this time. I was happy to learn she was just a girl who’s dad spent most of his time as a seal.

Okay so let’s talk about Evan for a minute. Such an amazing guy. If Meara doesn’t return for him I’d be more than happy to heal his heart. Hmm, yummy. Husband material that one.

I cried when I read this, yes I cried, seems to be happening a lot lately. There was this part where I just broke down, too many emotions at once. I’m not going to spoil it for you, as I fear I’ve already done with revealing the seal thing, sorry about that. It was just too big a part of the story to leave out.

So do I recommend it? Yeah, sure, it’s a good story even if it’s a bit cliché at times.

Goodreads rating 4/5

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments #1)

Original title: City of Bones

Year published: 2007

Published by: Walker Books

Number of pages: 506

First sentence: ““You’ve got to be kidding me,” the bouncer said, folding his arms across his massive chest.”

Plot: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...
(From Goodreads)

My thoughts: Um, yeah, no. I mean there really isn’t much wrong with the book and I did give it 4/5 on Goodreads. I love the Shadowhunter world that Clare has created. I love the Infernal Devices series but this, I don’t know. It’s probably because I keep comparing it to the movie and that’s my own fault. The book is better than the movie, I mean way better but I keep seeing the things and people from the movie and I don’t like it. Take Alec for example, he’s a douche in the book and in the movie but I think the book version of him is more attractive, mostly because he’s supposed to be taller than Jace, but I keep seeing Alec (Kevin Segers) from the movie. It’s really annoying to have seen the movie before finishing the book because I find myself going: “No, that’s not how it happened in the movie”. It bugs me because what happens in the book actually makes a lot more sense than the movie. 

This whole Valentine deal pisses me off royally. Why is Jace so quick to believe that Valentine is his father? Sure he has a story to explain everything but it still doesn’t add up. And yes I do know how things actually are with that whole situation and that just makes it so much worse. Ugh. Valentine is much more of an evil asshole in the book than the movie, I didn’t really think that it was possible to be more of an ass but apparently it was. Way to go Mr Morgenstern.  Luke is such a babe though, too bad he’s not Clary’s bio dad.

I’m 30% done with the next book, ‘City of Ashes’, and can I just say: “whaaaaaaat!?” for a moment. And when the hell does Jocelyn wake up?  Confused.com

But do I recommend it? Sure, why not? I mean it’s a good story. My problems are with myself and not the book.

Goodreads rating: 4/5

See Me by Wendy Higgins

Original title: See Me

Year published: 2014

Published by: Wendy Higgins

Number of pages: 309

First sentence: “Cecelia Mason had never been more frightened.”

Plot: Since she was six years old Robyn has imagined flying to Ireland and meeting McKale for the first time. Things, however, are not exactly as she imagined and she soon finds herself in a fight for something she never thought she’d be fighting for. Oh, and her opponent? A faerie princess.

My thoughts: LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this book. First of all Ireland, second of all Irish accent and third; McKale. Oh sweet lord.
The characters were great, the complemented each other very nicely. The Mason family; mom Cecelia and dad Léon were such a loving couple and you could tell right away that they loved each other and their children. Which brings us to the Mason daughters, Robyn and Cassidy. They had a really great dynamic, where Robyn kept her feelings on the inside Cassidy had her heart on her sleeve. Robyn and Cassidy had that sisterly relationship most sisters crave. Then there’s the two Chaun boys, McKale and Rock. Rock is a wild, shoot first ask question later sort of guy. McKale is a quiet guy, at least at first. There were points when I thought he was a total asshole but mostly I just swooned. The asshole part was because of the FFG as Cassidy calls her, it stands for Freaky Faerie Girl. The FFG is a total bitch, out to destroy Robyn and McKales relationship. Ugh, just thinking about her pisses me off. So basically what I’m saying is that all the characters were amazing just like they are in the Sweet Series, so basically what I’m saying is that Wendy Higgins is great at building characters. Yup.
The story is a really great one, even though at the end there are still some questions that went unanswered. And I thought the book was way too short, I mean it’s not like it just ended abruptly or anything but 300 pages is not nearly enough, I wanted more Robyn and McKale, what happens next? I also wanted more Cassidy and Rock. But I do think I heard a little birdy saying that there may be a book about Cassidy on its way. Let’s hope so, Cassidy’s story certainly isn’t over.

It takes place in Ireland, I mean come on, seriously, Ireland. McKale has the cutest accent, I even read it with the accent in my head, haha. The location sounds beautiful, the fields and that waterfall, jeez. I so would like to visit that place, drink some mead, or maybe some of that moonshine and listen to McKale telling the story of his folk.

Do I recommend it? Heck yes!

Favorite line: “Holy sihtballs. We’re in the Shire.”

Goodreads rating: 5/5

Now all I have to do is wait for September and Sweet Temptation to come along. Hurry up September! I need me some Kai!

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (Grisha #1)

Original title: Shadow and Bone

Year published: 2012

Published by: Indigo

Number of pages: 308

First sentence: “The servants called them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke’s house like giggling phantoms, darting in and out of rooms, hiding in the cupboards to eavesdrop, sneaking into the kitchen to steal the last of the summer peaches.”

Plot: Alina Starkov is a mapmaker in the King’s army. When she along with her group ventures out into the cursed place known as the Fold something happens. Alina is whisked away by a man, if you can call him a man, known as the Darkling to train with others like her. She soon understands that things are not always as they seem.

My thoughts: I did not think I was going to like it, my expectations weren’t that high. But I’m not sorry I read it, I’m only sorry I didn’t read it sooner. I loved this book. Leigh Bardugo has created her own world, a world I fell in love with. Hell she even came up with a new language, it kind of sounds like Russian, which was what I first thought but I found out it wasn’t. And the Grisha, wow. I love reading about the powers they have and how they look. I want to be Grisha as well, haha. I really liked the character of Alina, she’s so plain, at least the way she looks and I love that because it’s easier to relate to someone who doesn’t look like a supermodel. And the Darkling, W-O-W, I totally fell in love with that character, I even had to google grey quartz because I needed to know what his eye color was, haha. He was one of those characters who is rumored to be evil but then once you got to know him he’s actually kind of a nice guy, and then BAM! Yep, totally ruin me that man did. I would love to see this as a movie and I did read somewhere that someone had bought the rights to do the movie so let’s hope for it soon!

Favorite quote: “The problem with wanting, is that it makes us weak”

Like I told you yesterday I got the next book in the Grisha trilogy; Siege and Storm yesterday, so I’m planning to read that as soon as I get a chance.

Do I recommend this book? Hell yes! Read it, fall in love with the world, the language and the Darkling and then let me know what you think.

Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins (The Sweet Trilogy #3)

Original title: Sweet Reckoning

Year published: 2014

Published by: Harper Collins

Number of pages: 385

First sentence: “Not a soul in the Vegas cocktail lounge had any idea demons were in their midst”

Plot: The time has come for Anna to face her destiny. But will she give up the one she loves most to save everyone else, herself even? Anna is not alone in the war against evil, her Neph friends stand with her even though they have problems of their own to deal with. Will faith prevail?

My thoughts: I’m sure by now you all know the love I have for the woman who wrote this series. I mean wow! This series have been one hell of a roller coaster ride. Starting with shock, me being mad at Kai, fear, me being mad at Kai, nervousness, me being mad at Kai, blushing, me being mad at Kai’s dad and finally happiness. So yes, mostly it’s just been me and most people being mad at Kai. But also falling in love with Kai. Yes, I think I speak for most people in saying that. I can’t wait for ‘Sweet Temptation’ when we finally get to read everything from his point of view, can it be September already!?

Anyway, this book was great. The best thing about this book was that there was no more of this “you can’t be together” crap, at least not when it came to Anna and Kai, I was psyched about that. There was a lot of love in this book, a loooot of love, if you know what I mean ;) There were some parts where I blushed, before the real stuff even started!  There were a lot of Kai looking angry, which I totally love cause angry, smoldering Kai is one sexy beast, and the accent helps, believe you me. Of course Anna and Kai’s relationship wasn’t the only one to evolve but I’m not going to spoil that. I don’t think that talking about Kai and Anna’s relationship is really spoiling since it’s always been pretty obvious that they were going to get together, so to speak.

There was a lot of creepiness in this book, I mean jeesh, Duke of Lust get your shit together, respectfully, sir. Seriously, Pharzuph’s behavior totally grossed me out, major goose bump time.

I cried in the end. Tears of joy, mind you. Like I’ve said before that doesn’t happen that often so it says a lot about the feelings during those last few pages. I mean wow, if I wasn’t already in love with Kaidan Rowe, I most certainly am now.

Buy, read and weep! Sweet Evil, Sweet Peril and Sweet Reckoning are the names of the book. Sweet Temptation, which is a book from Kai’s point of view is scheduled to be released in September of 2015. 

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare ( The Infernal Devices #1)

Original title: Clockwork Angel

Year published: 2011

Published by: Walker Books Ltd

Number of pages: 488

First sentence: “The demon exploded in a shower of ichor and guts”

Plot: Tessa Gray arrives in London after being summoned there by her brother Nate. However, everything is not as it seems and Tessa soon learns that not only is she different but that there are people looking to use her for purposes unknown. Drawn into a world she never knew existed she finds allies in the most unlikely people and uncovers secrets that would perhaps have been better kept secret. Tessa is beginning to realize that her life changed as soon as she stepped of that boat.

My thoughts: I have to admit that I was a bit put off in the beginning, because of my experiences with Clare’s other books, namely one, I never actually got past that one. The particular book was “City of Bones” the first in her Mortal Instruments series. But I’ve realized that there wasn’t actually anything wrong with the book, I didn’t like it because somehow it was spoiled for me. Anyway back to the book at hand. I absolutely loved this book. I loved being transported back to a 19^th century London and all that it entails. I love the characters, especially Tessa, even though I don’t care much for how she thinks that women shouldn’t fight. The character of Will Herondale is disturbingly alike the character of Jace Wayland/Morganstern/Herondale or whatever the hell his name is these days. I have a love/hate relationship towards both characters although I don’t believe I was ever this enraged with Jace. The last scene between Tessa and Will had me screaming, literally. I was so mad at Will that I got mad at myself for actually being mad at a fictional character, it was rather confusing. 

Moving on to a character that is much more lovable, Jem. Oh god, I thought I wouldn’t like Jem, but I did. Where Will is obviously sarcastic Jem is more subtle in his sarcasm and he is much more gentlemen like. His appearance confused me a bit but I think that maybe that was the idea. I can’t get a picture of Jem in my mind like I can with most of the other characters and that’s sad because I really would have wanted to. I do however like the way his voice sounds in my head, all calm and collected.

There were of course many other characters in the book but I won’t go in to detail on those. All I’m going to say is that they all complemented each other well.

I have a feeling that we’re in for a love triangle with next book. I’m not sure if I like that or not. I tend steer clear of love triangles, “Twilight” has forever scarred me. But I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. I will read the next book because I really want to learn more about Tessa and her past and the reason why she is the way she is. I also want to see the relationship between her and Jem evolve, I’m not saying it will be but I’m hoping. Right now I just want her to forget about Will because I hate him so much. But I’m sure I’ll change my mind and be back to loving him soon enough.

Do I recommend this book? God yes! Please read it! 

Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams

Original title: Married for Christmas

Year published: 2013

Published by: Kindle

Number of pages: 236

First sentence: “Jessica Cameron had to propose marriage in a couple of hour, and she was a little nervous about it.”

Plot: Jessica and Daniel grew up together in a small town but it wasn’t until after Daniel’s wife Lila died that they became close friends. As a solution to both their problems they decide to get married, both agreeing that it’s never going to be a traditional marriage. But it doesn’t take long for one of them to start having feelings for the other.

My thoughts: I didn’t think I was going to like it. I only read it because it was free in the Kindle store and I’d decided to give Kindle a try. But I did like it. The story was a good one and I really enjoyed the characters of Jessica and Daniel, they complemented each other well. The book deals with a lot of emotions and a lot of difficult choices and weird conversations. Reading other reviews and the author’s note in the beginning of the book I’d expected there to be a lot of religion and that only added to my feeling that I wasn’t going to like it (I’m not a religious person, never have been and probably never will be) but there wasn’t actually a lot of that which I thought was a bit weird since Daniel was a pastor, nonetheless I was happily surprised.
I don’t usually cry when reading books, it happens more often when I’m watching a movie or a TV show, but reading this book I actually cried, I’d like to blame it on the fact that the last few weeks have been tough but I actually think it had more to do with the emotional rollercoaster going on in the book. I’m not sure I liked that emotional rollercoaster; it kept being one step forward to steps back in Jessica in Daniel's relationship and that annoyed the hell out of me. I more than once yelled (yes out loud) at Daniel for being such an ass. But it all ended very well so overall I liked this book.

Of Triton by Anna Banks (The Syrena Legacy #2)

Original title: Of Triton

Year published: 2013

Published by: Fiewel and friends

Number of pages: 246

First sentence: “My eyes won’t open”

Plot: After Emma finds out that her mom is actually a lost Syrena Princess things really get interesting. Everything she thought she knew about her parent’s relationship is wrong. And as if that wasn’t enough she finds out that the future of the Syrena monarchy lies in her hands, or rather her abilities.

My thoughts: W-O-W-E-E. This book was almost better than the first one and I just wish I had the third book at home so I could continue reading about Emma and Galen. As always Anna Banks adds humor to a book that is actually quite sad and upsetting and I’m thankful for that. Without the humor I think it would have been too much at times.
I love that you get to see more of the Syrena world in this book, both with the tribunal and the introduction of King Antonis. It almost felt as if I was floating next to Galen during the tribunal, it was great. I love how Emma handled the whole “my mother is also Syrena” thing, her constantly reminding herself to stop acting like a little kid was hilarious. Emma and Galen’s relationship also evolves during the course of this book and I can’t wait to see what’s next in line for them.
Cudos to you Anna Banks, I can’t wait to read of Neptune!

Ascend by Amanda Hocking (Trylle #3)

Original title: Ascend

Year published: 2012

Published by: Tor/ St Martin’s press

Number of pages: 326 pages

First sentence: “I had my back to the room as I stared out the window”

Plot: Wendy is once again faced with one hard decision after another. In the choice between her own life and the lives of her people, can she find a way to save herself and the rest of the Trylle? And what about love? Wendy is starting to realize that maybe life with Tove isn’t going to be enough for her.

My thoughts: Oh my god. For those who thought there wasn’t enough action in the last book. Here you go! This book has got action, friendship, family and some love scenes that are to die for. Even though I got this book spoiled for me earlier I enjoyed reading it and I’m very happy with how it all turned out. Wendy evolves more during this book and she finally comes to terms with the fact that just because Finn was her first “love” it doesn’t mean that he has to be her only love. We also get to see Wendy’s mother Elora finally letting go of her regal ways, she finally lets her guard down and she and Wendy start some kind of mother/daughter relationship.

The only bad thing I have to say about this book is that I hate that every single book ends with marriage and babies. Why is that necessary? Fifty Shades, Twilight and now this. I mean I love happy endings but it just feels so ”been there done that”. Other than that I loved the book and the entire series. I’m looking forward to reading some more of Amanda’s books. I think the next one will be “Wake” but before that I have a lot of other books that needs reading.

Torn by Amanda Hocking (Trylle #2)

Original title: Torn

Year published: 2012

Published by: St Martin’s Press

Number of pages: 291 plus a collection of one shots named “One Day: Three Ways”

First sentence: “When Rhys and I showed up at my “brother” Matt’s house at eight in the morning, he was happy…in the sense that he was glad I was alive and hadn’t disappeared forever.”

Plot: After the events in “Switched” Wendy doesn’t think her life could get any more complicated. She was wrong. She’s kidnapped by Vittra trackers and while in captivity she learns more things about her past. Things that maybe would have been best kept hidden. In the middle of all of this there are her feelings, feelings she’s not sure she should have.

My thoughts: I don’t understand people who complain about Amanda’s writing. I totally love it, it’s real. And sure this book may not have been packed with as much action as the first one but it was still enough. I don’t think that an action filled book was her goal here. You get to learn a lot more about the history of Wendy’s people, both Trylle and Vittra. You also get to see Wendy working really hard to get her powers in order so that she can help her people. Wendy matures a lot in this book, she realizes that she has to consider what’s best for her people and not just what’s best for her and so she makes some decisions, decisions that might not be in her best interest but ones that she can live with nonetheless. I love this series and I love all the pop culture references and how the author used Swedish words such as “Förening, Ondarike, Mänsklig” and so on. It made it a whole lot more relatable, at least for me, being Swedish and all.

I went on goodreads because I wanted to leave a review and I stumbled upon a review. Someone decided it would be fun to spoil the next book. Let’s just say I’m not happy. At first I thought I wasn’t going to read the last book but I quickly decided against that. I love the series too much to give up on it just because someone spoiled it for me.

Anyway, great book. I do recommend it!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K Rowling (Harry Potter #1)

Original title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Year published: 1997/2013

Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing

Number of pages: 223

First sentence: “Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.”

Plot: Strange things always happen around Harry Potter and on his eleventh birthday he finds out why. He is a wizard, and not just any wizard, but ‘the boy who lived’. As Harry begins his first year at a wizarding school he learns many things about his past, and quite possibly even his future.

My thoughts: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. This book is amazing and I can’t wait to dig my teeth into the next one! I’m so ashamed of myself for not reading this before. I’ve always loved the movies and the whole magical world but I’ve never gotten into the books until now. Could have something to do with the thickness of the later books in the series, they didn’t seem that appealing before now. I got quite mad at myself while reading this because I kept comparing it to the movie and getting annoyed over all the things they missed while making it. Peeves for one. Where is he in the movie? He’s such a great character, one of my favorites actually. You also don’t get to see as much of Neville in the movie as you do in the book. Why not, I wonder? Neville is a great character, I actually prefer him to Harry for the most part. I’m done complaining, let’s just say they missed a lot while making the movie.

Would I recommend this book? YES! It’s great and I do believe that kids need to read this. Hell, I’m 20 and I just read this for the first time and thought it was great. This feels like a part of growing up you know? Like a part of childhood. Granted, a part of childhood that I obviously missed, but still. So read it and dream people!