Book Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

AUTHOR: Aimee Carter
PUBLISHER: HarlequinTeen
SERIES/STANDALONE: I'm not sure
PAGES: 346

SOURCE: Netgalley via publisher

Outline:
YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING. 

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. 

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter. 

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

Quick Thought (or not)

I'm going to admit I don't know what prompted me to really read this, maybe it was seeing a blog tour invite for Captive the second book, but whatever the case I'm glad I did. I read the first two books in her Goddess Test series, and I enjoyed both of them. I will say that I loved Pawn more then her Goddess Test series.
There were times when Pawn had me confused with the number system, but once I was farther into the story I began to understand it.
I really enjoyed Kitty/Lila as the MC because she knew what she had to do in order to keep the people she loved safe. She may have let some people walk over her, but underneath she really was a strong character. She was determined to keep her shit together in order to save others.
Knox was also a character I enjoyed even though he was Lila's fiance he seemed to genuinely care for Kitty. He tried to keep her from messing things up, and helped her learn her new role as Lila. There was always that little part of him that said "I'm hiding something though."
Benjy was Kitty's boyfriend from the home, and I liked the way their love story was (if you want to call it that) It was real. It wasn't this I just met you now let's hook up crap. They grew up together in the foster system. They were friends before. I love when characters can be friends, and then couples it makes the relationships mean something. It makes you believe that love can bloom from something more. Yes?

The twists and turns that happened I wouldn't have guessed it just makes for a better second book.

Quotes

"You know, once upon a time, everyone could walk into a market and buy anything they wanted." I snorted. "Fairy tales start with 'Once upon a time,' Nina."

Book Review: Crank by Ellen Hopkins

AUTHOR: Ellen Hopkins

SERIES: Series (Glass and Fallout)

PUBLISHER: Margaret K. McElderry Books  

PAGES: 537

SOURCE: Bought

OUTLINE:In Crank, Ellen Hopkins chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the "monster," the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or "crank." Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne'er-do-well father. While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: "there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree." Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won't, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank

:

Quick Thought (or not)

If you haven't read any Ellen Hopkins books you're missing out. I know I say this with just about all her books I've read and reviewed, and it never changes.  

I read Crank at the end of 2013, and although it took me awhile to finish it that in no way portrays my feelings for a book such as this. Normally, I do my reviews with a quick thought, pacing, characters, and ending. This book however isn't that type of review layout I'm going to use because truthfully there's no way to put it into that. 

While I'll admit I love my vampires, werewolves, dystopian, witches, spies and all the others, Crank is not a book to be taken lightly. It is not a love story between a boy and a girl, but a girl and her addiction. It is not a book for the weak of mind, or the heartless. You have to read it with an open mind, and a caring heart. You're probably thinking why should I do that when this girl, Kristina gets addicted to this monster. 

Kristina's life hasn't been easy with an almost absent father, and when she goes and visits him her world as Kristina is turned upside down, and Bree steps up. As Kristina lets Bree take over she soon discovers the monster, and it is soon after that she begins to crave it, need it. willing to do anything for that next high. I can't tell you how she's feeling, but I know from talking to some who have done this that it's not something you'd wish on anyone else. I don't remember Kristina having anybody to lean on, or anyone who would stand beside her, and guide her through this darkness. With a dad not much better, and a 0n/0ff again boyfriend who helps her get that fix Kristina seems to be doomed, but near the end something happens that could pull her out of this slump. The question is will Kristina take charge of her life again and show Bree that Kristina is the stronger one

Now that I've sat here, and done the review I think I should really try and read the last two. The ending to Crank will leave you with questions as to what happens with Kristina/Bree and the obstacles she's facing. Sometimes falling and hitting rock bottom brings hope, and other times it's the place where it ends.

Book Review: Crash by Lisa McMann

AUTHOR: Lisa McMann
PUBLISHER: SimunPulse

SERIES/STANDALONE: Series (Bang,Gasp)
PAGES: 233

SOURCE: Bought

Outline:

If what you see is what you get, Jules is in serious trouble. The suspenseful first of three books from the New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy.

Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.

What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow.

The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more she sees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.

Quick Thought (or not)

Before starting Crash I was going into it hoping I would love it because everyone else seems to love her books. Sadly, Lisa McMann's book always seem to be a miss for me. It's not that I particularly hate them. I guess I should say I have more of a love/hate thing for them. I feel almost the same way about this one as I did with her first book Wake. I love the concept of the book, but I can't really put my finger on what didn't work. Needless to say I haven't yet read the other two books in that series either. I do however have them on my shelf. I've wanted to try and read those to see if maybe it's just a first book thing with this author. I also have her book Cryer's Cross. What do you guys think?  

Book Review: Frozen by Melissa De La Cruz

AUTHOR: Melissa De La Cruz and Michael Johnston

PUBLISHER: Putnam Juvenile
PAGES: 336
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Series (Book 1)
SOURCE: bought
OUTLINE:
Welcome to New Vegas, a city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. Like much of the destroyed planet, the place knows only one temperature—freezing. But some things never change. The diamond in the ice desert is still a 24-hour hedonistic playground and nothing keeps the crowds away from the casino floors, never mind the rumors about sinister sorcery in its shadows.

At the heart of this city is Natasha Kestal, a young blackjack dealer looking for a way out. Like many, she's heard of a mythical land simply called “the Blue.” They say it’s a paradise, where the sun still shines and the waters are turquoise. More importantly, it’s a place where Nat won’t be persecuted, even if her darkest secret comes to light.

But passage to the Blue is treacherous, if not impossible, and her only shot is to bet on a ragtag crew of mercenaries led by a cocky runner named Ryan Wesson to take her there. Danger and deceit await on every corner, even as Nat and Wes find themselves inexorably drawn to each other. But can true love survive the lies? Fiery hearts collide in this fantastic tale of the evil men do and the awesome power within us all.

THOUGHTS

I've been living in the world of Vampires with this author. I've only read her blue blood books, and none of her other ones like the Witches of East End (I have the first book) I was kind of skeptical going into this one because it's set in a dystopian world where the world is basically covered in ice. I mean I would find it very hard to live in an ice aged world. Regardless, of my love for the cold.

Like the beginning of all new stories (and series) the first book always sets the story up. You learn about the main characters, the new world the author has built, so on and so forth. So it's easy to say that this was really no different. It was slow and it dragged on for awhile. Needless to say at times I wanted to give up because I thought when is something going to happen that gives me that push to want to keep reading. It did happen it's just not instantaneous.

We learned about Nat (I guarantee you'll want to finish the story to find out more about her) and I see this as mostly her story although I wouldn't mind learning more about Wes' life. (Yes, another bookish crush maybe I'm biased when it comes to him though because he has my fiances name Ryan.) as far as the characters go I really enjoyed them. I thought Nat was strong-willed and independent and that's what we need in these stories. I get agitated when the female characters are whiny and seem to lean on others. That's fine if in the end they do some growing up otherwise we're not teaching girls how to be strong and not depend on others. Nat knew what she wanted in the beginning of the story and she went for it even when it looked like things weren't going to end good she kept going. Sometimes persistence is the key.  

As for Mr. Ryan Wesson, or Wes as he's better known I adored him. He had this hard shell and this protector like instinct to him from going through things back when he was a solider. There was just something about him that I liked.

More to come....

Giveaway and Book Trailer: Destined by P.C and Kristin Cast

Guess what guys I'm back with another trailer and giveaway from the wonderful people always bring these awesome giveaways. So what's up for grabs this time? Let me show you.

That's right it's the 9th book in the House of Night series: Destined. Have you read all the books, and can't wait to read this one? I know I'm a little curious (I haven't read awakened yet, but I have read all the others) Well here's your chance to get the newest addition.

Giveaway Rules:
Winners should be in USA/ Canada only (Sorry again my hands are tied)
Giveaway end November 4th (So I can sure to have it to them by the 7th)
And as always since this is a book in a series I might possibly buy the first book or two if the winner doesn't have them and send them to the winner. (Sorry 8 books is a little much to buy, even for me)
So leave you name and email address below.
Following is not mandatory, but it's always appreciated.
If you have read the series (and this is pure curiousness on my part) Who is your favorite character? I like Stark and Aphrodite. :)

Top Ten Tuesday: Series I need to finish or start

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature over at The Broke and the Bookish that you can do every Tuesday, and it's a list of bookish things. I'm so awesome at explaining things. Yes, that was totally meant to be sarcastic. Anyways, this week is a freebie we pick the topic, and amazingly enough I've been thinking about this particular one for awhile because 1.) I have tons of series that I've only read the first book in. Or haven't read any at all, but some how I have all the books. Failure on my part. B.) I was dying to know what happens when I started the series, and was mad when the other books weren't even out yet to read. Then I just never got around to them. III.) I went through hell trying to get the series completed so that I could read non-stop. Pink.) Ok, so I don't have another reason I just felt like adding a color in the list.  

Here they are in no particular order...(and get ready to read because I'm in full on typing mode) Or you can simply look at the pictures and see what I picked. Reading will be more fun though because I'm running on low fumes as I write. :) which makes more interesting. In my opinion anyway. I guess that doesn't count though. READ..READ>>

Book Review: Enclave

AUTHOR: Ann Agguire

PUBLISHER: Feiwel & Friends
PAGES: 259
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Series
SOURCE: Bought
OUTLINE:
WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.

MY THOUGHTS:

Let me take a second to say OMG! I absolutely loved this book! If you read my blog, or know anything about me then you know I'm really not one for the dystopian type novels. Well I think I may have found the exception, and maybe it will change my mind. Whatever the reason this was an awesome book. I finished it in about a day in half.  It's divide into 2 parts the underground: Which is where the compound is and it's where most people live. (Although they live in different compounds) along with the Freaks (zombie like creatures). The second half of the book takes place above ground. Where other people live...like gangs.

The story starts off with "Brat or girl 15" having a ceremony because she has lived past the age of 15, and now has the right to a name which she learns is going to be Deuce. Along with the name she becomes one of 3 things, she chooses to become a huntress because that's what she's wanted her whole life to be able to fight outside. Now a huntress she's given the opportunity to fight against the "freaks" but she gets stuck with a partner who keeps to himself and plays by his own rules. At first she's not happy with it he likes the rules they're what's kept herself all this time. Now though she's beginning to question the authority, and by doing that she loses the only place and people she's ever known.

*SPOILER-Y*

When one thing leads to another Fade and Deuce get kicked to the upside. (They get pushed to the top, and that's not a good thing.) Living above ground means survival of the fittest. (If you're a girl it's even worse. You pretty much get treated like a slutty slave) Together Deuce and Fade must learn to trust and help each other. Fade came from the topside, and knows what it's like to live and what must be done to live. While above they run into problems gangs mainly.  

*END*

I honestly don't think I can put into words how much I loved and enjoyed this book. I think I've been trying to write this darn review for a few weeks now. :) Sometimes I feel like I'm just repeating myself over and over on each review. That's not what I want, but I can't help it. This book definitely has me looking for some other good dystopian novels now. (Note I read the hunger games wasn't a big fan. Trying to read the forest of hands and feet still can't get past 100 pages. Started Delirium I kinda liked it. As for others I don't know) Anyways, I think now whenever I read A dystopian it's going to be measured to this one. I shouldn't do that, but what can I say that's just me. I absolutely loved the world building in it. The idea of people living underground in sewer like systems was intriguing (yet kind of gross). Where else could you possibly go though if the world above lay in ruins. You can't live in the skies. Unless you had a really awesome ship that didn't need fuel of some sort. (Totally off topic I know)   I liked how they found that everyday things were fascinating. Things that maybe they've never seen before. (This is where notes would have come in handy for me)

As for the characters I loved Duece I thought she was a strong character, and held her own. Although she was a little naive at first thinking that her superiors (I forget what they call themselves) had everyones best intentions at hand. (When do they ever?) She soon learned that they didn't know much of anything and they weren't willing to listen to others that did. (Namely Fade). She cared alot for her friends, and for those she didn't know. Which we see more of when things got crazy on the topside. Her one flaw was that she forgave w-a-y to easily (and quick) especially with what almost happened. I do think she has room to grow. It will be interesting to see how. :) 

Fade, there's one of him in (almost) every book. The mysterious, not well known guy who happens to fall into place with the girl. I'm totally not complaining though I adore him maybe as much (if not more) then some of my other literary hotties. He's the one who defies the Elders (I looked it up that's what they're called), who knows what living above is like.He starts off being this guarded person not letting anyone in, but eventually he opens up. We get to see that he does have a good heart. Boy, what I would do for him. :) 

Then we have Tegan who we meet above. I definitely have a soft spot for her, and all the crap that she went through with the gangers, and the daily beatings. 

Stalker, who is one of the gangers. I wanted to like him, but after I thought about it awhile he treated girls like they were nothing. The gangs did alot worse. I can handle the fights, but the raping part was over the top. There could have been a better way to make him a bad guy.

I'm thinking maybe the only complaint I had was I would have liked a little more of the underground I think to see more of what the life was REALLY like before everything happened with Deuce and Fade. That part of the story went a little quick for me. We didn't get to see much of Deuces Friends. We didn't get to learn to much about the other two groups. (I know it's kind of self explanatory)

Wrapup: Awesome Characters

Storyline super (although I would of liked to learn more about underneath)

I have to stop because I'm bound to give more away then I want. I can't wait to read more of the journey. That is all. 

 If you haven't read this book yet (and you love dystopians) I HIGHLY recommend it. :)

QUOTES:

I'm not sure I have any, but I'll try and see if I wrote any.

MY VIDEO REVIEW:

BOOK VIDEO: If you haven't watched this. WATCH. I think this would make an awesome movie.

Book Series I Collect

These are just pictures of my book series that I have come to collect and love. :) (FYI: I have a WHOLE lot more than this, but most of them are not fully finished collections.)

This is my beloved Vampire Academy Series If you haven't read these you should. I totally have my sister in law hooked now. LOL she sent me a text today "I really don't like how the 3rd book ended. I'm depressed now." and then "Omg, I don't think I can move on. It's so sad." Yes, I have converted another. I'm telling you I love these books. 

These are the Strange Angel books by Lili St.Crow. I've read the first one, and really enjoyed it because it had just about every creature you could think of. Sadly, I haven't finished the other books. I actually found out about this book from the back of my Vampire Academy book.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

(Color) is for series by Laurie Faria Stolarz. I believe there are a few more books in this series.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

I call these books the "From Hell Series" They are actually anthologies from different authorsall of which are YA authors. There's also one calle vacations from hell which I have just not on here yet.

The Dream Catcher Series by Lisa McMann.Gone is the third book which I have and need to add to this picture.

These are the House of Night books by P.C and Kristin Cast. Supposedly there's going to be 12 books I think.

These are the Evernight books plus Balthazaar by Claudia Gray. Balthazaar is a companion novel. I've read only the first two which I never reviewed on here becaus these were actually some of the first books I read before I started blogging. :) So I'm thinking of going back and re-reading them completely. because I've forgotten what has happened

These are actually all the Mary Higgins Clark books I have. Before I began reading YA I read mystery books, and hers were the ones I enjoyed the most. Daddy's Little girl was my favorite.

These are the twilight books. I don't think any YA collection is complete with out them. These are the reason I started reading YA. So as much as people hate on them I owe a lot to them.  I've probably read these like twice.  Just for the record I'm totally a Jacob Fan. No cold, sparkly vampire for me in this book. I like me some cuddly wolfs.

These were from what I remember great books I loved the different stories in each of them and how in the end they all linked together somehow. I'm pretty sure I'll re-read these and then put up some reviews. Written by L.J Smith,

These are The Immortals Series by Alyson noel. 

The Blue Bloods Series by Melissa De La Cruz. (sorry I kind of got a few others books in the picture my bad) This is a series about the Elite Group of Vampires (Blue Bloods), The Evil Ones (silve blood), and sometimes the Conduits (red bloods or humans)(It's mainly just Oliver) Then she has like a spin off I believe called Bloody Valentine. Also Keys to the Repository which is like a guidebook to the blue bloods . This is not a finished series yet so I don't have all the books.

These are the charmed books from the hit Tv show (no longer running) I have all the seasons of Charmed. Love the show. So my friend bought me these for Christmas last year. I still need to read them.  

It's Harry Potter. I'm missing the 3rd book, that is just sad. I also need to get the hard back of the 2nd one.

It's the Midnighters Series. I'm missing the 2nd as you can see. I  have a habit of buying books out of order. So until it is complete I usually don't read them. This series does sound interesting though.

This series is called "The Daughters of the Moon" It actually has 13 books to it. I've read only the first one, but I have almost all now. These books are about 4 girls who come to find out they belong to a special group. Each book is a story of one of the girls. The girls are Vanessa who's invisible, Catty who's a time-traveler, Serena who's a mind-reader, and Jimena who sees the future. Then a fifth one comes in to it in a later book named Tiana who has the ability to move things with her mind.

Vampires anyone? This is The Chronicles of Vladmir Tod. I have the first 3 books so far, and I 've only read the first two, but they're good. It's from a teen boys POV so it's different.

These are The Dark Guardian book. There's apparently a 4th one now.

This is the Hex Hall Series by Rachel Hawkins. All the books are hilarious. I've actually only written a review for this first book.

The Matched Trilogy by Ally Condie. I've read the first one and so far not impressed.

The Paranormalcy Series by Kiersten White. Super cute books. Evie and Lend are adorable characters.

The Nightshade books. by Andrea Cremer (Rise and Rift the first two are actually prequels) I have only read Nightshade and Wolfsbane. I loved Nightshade but it kind of dwindled on wolfsbane so hopefully it will regain some in the third book. I read somewhere that she was going to make a few more books for it.

These are the Wolves of Mercy Falls Books by Maggie S. ( I never can spell her last name) I;ve read the first, but I adored Same and Grace as characters so I need to read the others. Also she has a few other series that are out as well.

These are the Trylle Trilogy books by Amanda Hocking. Which I haven't read, but heard they are really good.

These are the House of Night books by P.C and Kristin Cast. Supposedly there's going to be 12 books I think.

These are the House of Night books by P.C and Kristin Cast. Supposedly there's going to be 12 books I think.

These are the House of Night books by P.C and Kristin Cast. Supposedly there's going to be 12 books I think.

So what series do you have? read? like? or you have one you think I might be interested in reading. then tell me, leave me a comment. I will def comment back.