Jaime's Review of Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent

Veronica Roth

Hardcover: 544 pages

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (Harper Collins)

ISBN: 0062024046

Source: ARC from the publisher

Rating: Loved

From Goodreads.                                                       One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.                                                                                                                                                          Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.                                                                                                                                                New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

Holy crap I loved this book! It was soo different than the first. In Divergent we learn what it means to be Divergent and in Insurgent we learn why and how. I thought it was pretty brilliant of Veronica to write the story that way and I can’t wait to read the third book especially after the OMG ending!!! Ok so now I’ll try to review this without any spoilery.

We get a better look at some of the other factions like Amity and Candor in this book and how they govern their people. I also found more people whom I really liked and others who I adamantly hated.  There’s also some surprises from characters we got to know pretty well in the first book; some of them good and some not so good and people you thought you had figured out will surprise the hell out of you. There’s tons of awesome moments between Tris and Four y’all so don’t worry but, be warned everything isn’t going to be sunshine and rainbows for them it’s only book 2 ;)

The danger is definitely upped in Insurgent the way it’s done is soo creepy! Just thinking about some of the things that happen make me squirm; and poor Tris will break your heart with some of the choices that she makes. Oh and one more thing I didn’t think that Jeanine could become even more of an evil bitch but I was wrong she’s waaaayyy worse in this!

Here’s a passage between Tris and Four that I loved. A part is missing because it’s a bit spoilery.

“I’m not important. Everyone will do just fine without me.” I say.

“Who cares about everyone? What about me?”

He lowers his head into his hand, covering his eyes. His fingers trembling.

Then he crosses the room in two long strides and touches his lips to mine. Their gentle pressure erases the past few months, and I am the girl who sat on the rocks next to the chasm, with river spray on her ankles, and kissed him for the first time. I am the girl who grabbed his hand in the hallway just because I wanted to.

I pull back, my hand on his chest to keep him away. The problem is, I am also the girl who shot Will and lied about it, and chose ______________________, and now a thousand other things besides. And I can’t erase those things.

“You would be fine.” I don’t look at him. I stare at his T-shirt between my fingers and the black ink curling around his neck, but I don’t look at his face. “Not at first. But you would move on, and do what you have to.”

He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me against him. “That’s a lie,” he says, before he kisses me again.

Ok so I know you all want to read this one so make sure to add it to your Goodreads shelves and pre-order it now! Oh and make sure to watch the trailer it’s in our sidebar ;) and vote for Candor Faction. http://Candorfactionnews.tumblr.com  or http://bit.ly/choose_candor

Of Poseidon Trailer Reveal and Giveaway

We are very excited to bring you a trailer reveal today for Of Poseidon as well as an arc giveaway, thanks to MacMillan Books! First here's a synopsis of Of Poseidon:

Synopsis: Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . . Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

Sounds awesome, right?! Look for Jaime's review soon :) Now on to the trailer...

Now I'm sure you're really excited about this book and asking yourself well how can I get a copy? Well as we mentioned above Macmillan is giving away an ARC of Of Poseidon and all you have to do is enter below: 

Jaime's Review of Destined by Aprilynne Pike

Destined

Aprilynne Pike

Hardcover: 320 pages

Release Date; May 1, 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 0061668125

Source: ARC from the publisher

Rating: Really Liked

From Goodreads.
Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful—and deadly—of all, and she is working with Klea to conquer and destroy Avalon. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares for a fight she never thought she would have to face.

Filled with heart-pounding action, sweeping romance, and higher stakes at every turn, Destined is the series conclusion that readers have been clamoring for—with a twist that will leave them breathless.

Destined the conclusion to the Wings series was everything I hoped for and more! After Illusions which I liked but nothing really happened till the very end; Destined picks up and it’s non-stop action and danger. What I loved about this is that the humans get a chance to finally shine!  Not that I don’t love Laurel and Tam because I do but, I always thought Chelsea was a bright character that should have been used more and she finally gets her chance to be kick ass! Let me just say this I am and always have been team Tammani but, in Destined I found a new found respect and admiration in David his character I think is put through the wringer worse than any of them and you get to see him grow into a person I think you will all love by the end. There is a letter he writes……I won’t say where or when that literally tore me to shreds I couldn’t believe he had me crying like that.

The story itself was almost completely in Avalon which was awesome because I like the land that Aprilynne created there’s also more Camelot/Arthurian Legend in the story. Let’s face it y’all know I’m a crazy fan of that stuff (Hello Team Merlin) ;) oh and let me just clear this up quickly I didn’t hate Klea I understood her motives and yeah she may have been the bad guy but she had her reasons oh and Yuki might have been obnoxious but I liked her too!

I chose a passage that has David in it because I loved the meaning. It’s a symbol for much bigger things.

“Now David Lawson,” Jamison said, “Avalon needs your help. Not only are you human—with the ability to wield the sword--- but I can sense your bravery, your strength, and especially, your loyalty. I know what you have done for Laurel in your world; standing by her when it meant risking your life. Even entering Avalon today took great courage. I suspect you have much in common with that young man Arthur, and I believe it is your destiny to save us all.”

Chelsea was soaking up the scene with eager eyes.

Tammani looked horrified.

Laurel knew what Jamison was going to ask, and wanted to stop him, to tell David that he should refuse--- that he didn’t have to do this; that being around her had hurt him enough already. He didn’t need to be a soldier for Avalon, too.

“David, with the name of kings,” Jamison said formally, “it is time to discover if you are the hero Laurel has always thought you to be. Will you join us in defending Avalon?”

Ok I’ll leave it there but what do you think? What does David say and what sword is that????

Add Destined to your Goodreads shelves.

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Jaime's Review of Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready

Shine

Jeri Smith-Ready

Hardcover: 416 pages

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Publisher: Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster)

ISBN: 1442439459

Source: ARC from Jeri Smith-Ready

Rating: Obsessed

From Goodreads.
No other love has burned so bright

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past. As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced that she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart.

Just to let you know I might no, I definitely will ramble in this review. This book was the perfect ending to a brilliant trilogy and while my heart is full of joy and happiness with how it ended I’m still sad that it was the end. I could have read about Aura and my dear sweet Zachary for many more books! Yes I am team kilt and damned proud! I also loved Logan though too (yep Brooke I said it) though just as a friend.  Just so you all know Logan is in this book (in a way kinda) he’s very much there in spirit in people’s hearts and minds. Logan Keeley will always be in our hearts.

The way Jeri writes is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket or listening to your favorite band; it’s like coming home. I can’t wait to see what new adventures she will take us on!

Ok back to Shine there’s so many things I want to say about this book but a lot of it will be spoilery so I will try and, probably not so eloquently put into words my feelings.  This book was awesomesauce, amazeballs, fantastic, brilliant, beautiful, and made me cry. I really wanted to see Aura and Zach get their happy ending but I knew there were going to be challenges and there were many like the cliffhanger that we got hit with in chapter one! It broke my heart to see what happened. Then on to Aura going to Ireland to be with him and discover the mysteries of the shift and the beautiful-ness (OMG it was sooooo perfect!!!!!)  that was the castle scene. Trust me peeps it’s worth the wait; I think I re-read that scene like five times before moving on lol. There is a surprise also that happens with a couple of the other characters in the book that I was so happy about it had me grinning so wide my cheeks hurt. 

Speaking of other characters I just have to say I loved Martin Zach’s friend and of course Dylan he’s such a sweetheart!

Because I'm thinking about Dylan I’ve picked a couple passages and one he’s in so I’ll start with that one first.

 “Jesus, Aura, with all the shit you’ve had to deal with, I’d be a dick if I got mad at you for wanting a hug.” He shifted his chin against my hair. “I used to think, maybe when Zachary left, I’d have a shot with you. But then in the cemetery, when I saw how destroyed you were about the plane crash, I decided no way I’d even think about it.”

“Why not?”

“Because if Zachary had died, I didn’t want to be what he was for you after Logan died. I couldn’t deal with the waiting. Zachary was like a freaking superhero. Captain Patience or something.”

And next a scene between Zachary and Aura. They’re video chatting.

“No pressure,” I said, “but you should know, I love your body, all of it. Skinny, fat, anywhere in between.”

His fingers twitched. “You don’t make anything easy, do you?”

“Nope.” I licked my lips.”I try to make everything hard.”

Zachary groaned and rolled on his back. “Now I absolutely can’t show you, because it would be pornographic.”

Every cell in my body wanted to urge him to show me everything, and let me do the same for him. But I sensed that what he truly needed was a place to feel safe.

“Maybe tomorrow,” I said.

“Aye.” He turned his head to face me, but stayed on his back. “You look beautiful.”

I glanced at my live shot in the corner. My features were as dim as his. “You can barely see me in the dark.”

“I don’t need to see you to know that you’re beautiful.”

One last thing Jeri mentions a band quite frequently in this book they’re called Frightened Rabbit a band from Glasgow who are brilliant and I just wanted to suggest you check out their site and download some tunes  ;) http://frightenedrabbit.com/

Oh and a couple more things check out Jeri’s site for the river scene from Zach’s POV and some of the many teasers from Shine!

Ok sorry I said I’d ramble right? Just know that you all need to read this book. Thank you Jeri for the ARC and also for being a friend. It means the world to me! Hugs :)

Add Shine to your Goodreads Shelves.

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Jaime's Review of Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Unraveling

Elizabeth Norris

Hardcover: 464 pages

Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper Collins)

Release Date: April 24, 2012

ISBN:0062103733

Source: ARC from the publisher

Rating: Loved

From Goodreads.
Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.

When Unraveling came in the mail a letter was with it from the senior editor at Balzer + Bray in the letter she described Unraveling as the love child of I Am Number Four and the TV show Fringe. While I saw the Fringe aspects in the book this was nothing like I Am Number Four. I didn’t like that book. Actually I would compare Unraveling to Fringe and the TV show Sliders from the late 90’s which happened to be a favorite of mine; with little X-Files thrown in there. The fact that the MC and her family loves and quotes X Files kinda helped with that one lol.

I will admit that this book is long and the beginning takes a bit to get in to but once you do holy crap this book rocks! It’s one of the coolest sci-fi books I’ve read in a long time! What I loved about it is that this stuff is set in the real world not on a space ship or anything like that and, a lot of the stuff that happens could really happen! I also thought that the setting of San Diego was awesome since I could recognize most of the places in the book (and she mentions water polo!!!! Sorry for this tangent but that was my sport in high school and I’ve never seen it in a book before!).

I loved the MC Janelle she’s a complete smart ass and she’s really intelligent. Not only that but she has balls she isn’t afraid to go up against the FBI or the end of the world. Oh and there’s cussing in this book which I thought was pretty cool. Elizabeth didn’t hold back in that department because I mean really; I know 16 year olds and trust me they cuss. I loved the realness that it brought to the story. Ben is totally swoon worthy but just because he’s hot (which he is) he’s caring, funny, sarcastic, protective, smart, but he has a secret and it’s pretty big . What I loved about the relationship about these two was it wasn’t insta-love thank goodness and there were no love triangles! I also really loved the rest of the characters especially Alex and Strutz!

I chose a passage from Janelle and Ben’s first date because I loved it! and the other one I wanted to use probably had a little too much cussing for the blog hehe ;)

“This might be the coolest thing you could have done for me,” I say bumping my shoulder into Ben’s.

His fingertips brush over the back of my hand until his whole hand covers mine and gives it a light squeeze.

Tearing my eyes away from the sky, I look at Ben. His floppy brown curls are falling into his face, shading his eyes, but I can see the look on his face, like he’s laughing at himself.

“What?”

He shakes his head. “I almost just drove us to the movies.”

He’s lying. I can see it in his face. He might have thought about it, especially when he was all tense in the car, but he knows me too well to just take me to a movie.

I smile, and that’s all it takes. He leans forward and our lips touch, and it’s like his lips were made to fit around mine.

His arms tighten around me, and I reach up to the back of his neck and pull him into me. Our lips part, our tongues touch, and I taste him until a sigh escapes with my breath.

Ben pulls back just a fraction of an inch so our foreheads are touching and his lips smile against mine.

“This was perfect,” I whisper.

He closes his eyes, and his voice is quiet, like the words are simply being exhaled. “It was better than perfect.”

Add Unraveling to your Goodreads shelves

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Jaime's Review of Masque of The Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Masque of The Red Death

Bethany Griffin

Hardcover:  336 pages

Publisher: Greenwillow Books (Harper Collins)

Release Date: April 24, 2012

ISBN: 0062107798

Source: ARC from the publisher

Rating: Loved

From Goodreads.
Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

I adored this book!!!!!! First let me say I love Poe so when I heard of another retelling of one of his stories I was a bit afraid to read it. There was a very popular book that everyone raved about that I did not like at all. So with that being said I went into this with an open mind but, a little leery. I had no reason to be Bethany took this story and made it her own! It was an excellent mix of post-apocalyptic dystopian and steampunk with an evil tyrant, a scary plague, killer crocodiles, two hot boys, and a heroine that is heartbreakingly real!

I immediately felt a connection to the main character Araby with her twin brother dead and her world collapsing all she wants to do is forget by any means necessary and because of a vow to her dead brother she refuses to fall in love. Enter two of the best written male characters I have read in a long time! In fact they are so well written that I have not chosen a side (yes me who always picks one boy over the other) I just can’t. Will is charming, sexy, tall, dark, caring, tattooed, and has a soft side. Elliott the complete opposite is light haired, sarcastic, arrogant, scary at times, has a fierce protective side, brilliant, and is surprisingly romantic. See why I can’t choose???

On to the story I loved how Bethany wasn’t afraid to push the limits with the plague there are some pretty yucky scenes describing it but I loved it. I don’t scare easily though. Also the descriptions of the Debauchery Club and the other locations she wrote about are so detailed I felt like I was there! 

The ending of the story was just wow and had me itching for book 2 and yes there is a book 2 and I can’t wait for it!

Ok so like I said I couldn’t choose a boy so instead of one passage you guys get 2 ;) First Will!

I have so many things to say to him, but it is almost dark. I know he has to go. So I don’t say anything. He’s the one who breaks the silence. “And thank you for telling me about your brother.”

When he pulls me close, there is no flirtation, no suggestion of anything except comfort. My heart beats faster anyway.

“I’m sorry that you lost him. And that you’ve chosen to punish yourself because of it.”

It was my fault. But there is no point in arguing. We are almost to the end of the alley, and I know he must leave me in just a few steps.

“Be careful,” he says. “If you aren’t, I won’t get a chance to convince you that you are wrong.”

And now here’s Elliott’s passage.

“Hideous isn’t it?” Elliott pulls his steam carriage through a final stone archway and stops.”Be cautious. Do not tell my uncle anything about either of your parents, and don’t give him any indication that we aren’t madly in love.”

“We aren’t madly in love?”

“You scorn me. But I am infatuated with you.”

“You’re a better liar than I thought,” I say lightly.

“I’m a fabulous liar.” He swings down from the carriage and walks around to lift me down. He pulls me close and says quietly, “And you need to be too.”

Again I loved this book!!!!!!!! Oh and make sure to come back here on April the 16th when Bethany will be here answering our questions as a part of the blog tour and we'll have a signed ARC to give away!!!

Add it to your Goodreads shelves.

Pre-order your copy now!

Destined ARC Giveaway

Hi y'all Jaime here!!!! Ok peeps who's excited for the final book in the Wings series??? I'm reading it right now and it awesome! But guess what? The lovely and generous people at Harper Teen sent me two so I'm having a giveaway all you have to do to enter is fill out the rafflecopter form below and good luck!!! And as always I'll send some swag with the book :D

Jaime's Review of Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt

Chosen Ones

Tiffany Truitt

Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: Entangled Teen

ISBN:16206100000

Source: ARC from the publisher (E-book)

Rating: Loved

From Goodreads.
What if you were mankind’s last chance at survival?

Sixteen-year-old Tess lives in a compound in what was once the Western United States, now decimated after a devastating fourth World War. But long before that, life as we knew it had been irrevocably changed, as women mysteriously lost the ability to bring forth life. Faced with the extinction of the human race, the government began the Council of Creators, meant to search out alternative methods of creating life. The resulting artificial human beings, or Chosen Ones, were extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.

Life is bleak, but uncomplicated for Tess as she follows the rigid rules of her dystopian society, until the day she begins work at Templeton, the training facility for newly created Chosen Ones. There, she meets James, a Chosen One whose odd love of music and reading rivals only her own. The attraction between the two is immediate in its intensity—and overwhelming in its danger.

But there is more to the goings-on at Templeton than Tess ever knew, and as the veil is lifted from her eyes, she uncovers a dark underground movement bent not on taking down the Chosen Ones, but the Council itself. Will Tess be able to stand up to those who would oppress her, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?

Ok so if you read my review of Partials by Dan Wells you may see some similarities in the synopsis’s and while I was reading Chosen Ones I did find myself thinking about Partials but not for the reasons you’re thinking. I liked Partials but I LOVED  Chosen Ones!!!!! Tiffany wrote a beautiful story with such emotion my heart felt like it was soaring in some areas and breaking in others! She captured everything I was looking for and I can’t wait to read book 2!

Tess is a character that I immediately loved she’s strong and stubborn; she has her flaws but, at her very core she understands things beyond what she even thinks she does. She gets why love can be so wonderful and so dangerous at the same time and, how that one word can either save or ruin your life. Enter James tall, dark ,handsome, and dangerous; everything Tess should stay away from but, she couldn’t he wasn’t like the other Chosen Ones, he was nice, gentle, curious, and caring he was everything he shouldn’t be and Tess and I both found ourselves falling in love with him.

The story itself is really good like I said it’s similar to other dystopians out there but I really loved it. I could imagine the world Tiffany created living in the desolate warehouses eating crappy food and then going to Templeton and wearing beautiful dresses and drinking champagne. I felt afraid of the other chosen ones and disgusted with the council and the creators. Oh and yeah one more thing I bawled and not just some quick tears I was literally red nosed and couldn’t see through my tears at one point. That’s how I know it’s a good book it made me feel!!!!!

The passage I chose is one between Tess and James when they’re trying to figure things out.

He took a seat in front of me, and my knees almost touched his. He glanced at his hands for a long while. Then, with a sigh that spoke of uncertainty, he turned back to me.

“I think maybe we can be friends.”

His words caught me off guard. It sounded more like a question than a firm declaration. I picked at the fabric of my skirt, unable to look up at him. Did he really, truly, want to know who I was?

“Why?” I asked quietly. Was it just to satisfy some bizarre fascination, some need to know the girl who didn’t have a place with her own people? Or did he actually like the small, almost undetectable glimpse of me I had allowed him to see?

“I…would it work if I said I didn’t know? Would you settle for me saying that it’s just something I want? Even if I know it is wrong to ask for it.”

“Yes,” I breathed.

He hesitated before continuing. “I won’t…if you’re worried about…I swear it wouldn’t be like that.”

I looked away, no doubt blushing. I hadn’t exactly thought something of that nature was a possibility. In fact, if I were honest, it was part of what attracted me to him. I knew I could never do anything of that sort with someone like him. And he wouldn’t want to with me. Or would he?

I did find him attractive.

So the release date for this has been moved back to June L but it’s a good thing this book will actually be on the shelves at Barnes & Noble instead of just available on their website! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy! Thanks to the amazing Entangled Publishing team for the Advanced Copy to review you are all amazing!!!!!

Pre-Order Chosen Ones

Add Chosen Ones to your Goodreads.

Jaime's Review of The Marked by Inara Scott

From Inara’s website www.inarascott.com
Dancia’s back at Delcroix, but this year, everything’s different. Dancia’s Talented, and her powers have earned her an invitation to join Delcroix’s real raison d’etre –the Program. Dancia’s wanted to use her powers to help people all her life — and now Delcroix is going to give her the training she needs to use her Talent for good. At least…that’s what the school saysshe’ll learn to do with her powers. Her cuter-than-cute boyfriend Cam insists that it’s true, and so do all the other students. But there’s still a little voice inside her head that wonders — if the Program’s so great, why did her almost-only-a-friend- Jack run away rather than join? And why would the school be getting attacked by angry ex-students? Dancia’s a loyal student…and a loyal girlfriend. But if finding out what’s really going on means talking to Jack, well — it’s a risk she just might have to take.

Oh Inara you’ve done it again! I absolutely loved The Marked! There’s a few things I’m mad at you for but I won’t get into it since its spoilery.

 I didn’t even have a blog when I got a review copy of her first book The Candidates I just had my goodreads page thanks Disney Hyperion J I like to think because of that it’s one of the reasons I started blogging! So if you want to check out my first and probably not so great and short review go here!

Back to The Marked though…. I loved the mystery in this book I mean I literally didn’t know who I could trust and even though I started out not wanting Danica to be with Cam in this one I did warm up to him. Man I still missed Jack though and the small pieces of the book that had him in it I savored; even though everyone thinks he’s the bad guy. I don’t he was just put in a crappy situation and I still love him! Inara did introduce some new characters that I absolutely adored too Barrett for one and she even made me like people I didn’t think I ever could. That being said Mr. Judan was not one of those people he still gives me the heebie jeebies! I mean he’s just one scary dude!

I loved seeing Danica grow more comfortable with her abilities and actually stepping in to the kick ass heroine role! I love the fight in her to seek the truth no matter what happens. I also loved seeing the way some people I never expected to see backing her up! I finished this book and I think I tweeted Inara saying I needed #3 now because the ending left me reeling. I need so much moar!!!!!!

I picked a cute passage between Cam and Danica  for my teaser.

Cam shrugged, then grimaced. “I’ve got no real Somatic talent. I figured when I started the Program I would need to work twice as hard to be able to hold my own in a fight.” He squeezed my hand gently. “You should have gone into the house. I was worried.”

Warm honey coated my insides. I slid closer him, though I was careful not to lean on his injured side. “Did you really think I was going to go inside? Just because you said so?”

He chuckled, then touched his ribs with his free hand. “Man, that hurts. No, I didn’t think you would go inside. But I figured it was worth a shot.”

Cam had tried to protect me. I choked up. Usually I was the one protecting other people. I mean, Grandma did her best to take care of me, but she was so fragile herself, it felt like I was the one in charge most of the time. Even when I used my power, it was always to defend someone else. It was just something I did, the way I was.

I loved the feeling that someone was watching out for me.

The Marked comes out April 3^rd so make sure to pre-order your copy!

Add it to your Goodreads shelves. Oh and be sure to check back here where on March 29^th as a part of The Marked blog tour we will have a guest post from my heart Jack!

A huge thanks to Inara Scott for the signed Advanced Readers copy! You are too good to me! 

Also thanks to Disney Hyperion for the E-book from Netgalley!

Jaime's Review of Perception by Kim Harrington

From Goodreads.
When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared.

I loved Clarity it was a fun who done it with paranormal thrown in and, I adored Clare and the other characters. So when Perception showed up on my door step I first closed my door and proceeded to do a major happy dance. Kim’s writing is so easy to get into I read Clarity in one sitting and I did the same with Perception! I liked it better than Clarity!

What I loved about this book was Clare had to figure out her feelings for Gabriel and Justin and normally I’m not that big of a love triangle fan but I felt the progression in her relationships with both of the boys was very believable. I had my fingers crossed for Gabriel the whole time I mean he’s tall dark and sexy for pete’s sake plus her really cares about Clare in a way I don’t think Justin ever did.

I also loved that there was another mystery for Clare to solve actually there was two but I don’t want to get too spoilery so let’s just say I had an idea what was going to happen in this one but the story kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end! Speaking of the end I cried (yeah I know big surprise right?) but it was an awesome ending and wrapped the story up nicely. The only problem I had with that was I started thinking O_o is this the end are there no more books? Because I need more!!!! I need more of this world!!!!!! Please Scholastic and Kim tell me there’s more!!!!

I chose a passage from the beginning of the book because I was laughing so hard at this image in my head.

Tiffany was a drama queen , so loud squeals and other attention-getting techniques weren’t unusual for her. But this wasn’t a playful scream. This was an open your closet door to find Freddy Krueger, Jason, and Michael Meyers hiding in there scream.

Kendra started screaming, too, while waving her hands in the air in some crazed dance of ick.

I, along with everyone else in the hall, first froze, then rushed over to see what had kicked off this performance. On the floor by Tiffany’s locker was a little red box, like what you’d get with the purchase of some cheap jewelry. It was flipped over and no contents could be seen. Tiffany had one hand over her mouth and was pointing repeatedly at the fallen box with her other.

I reached down and turned it over.

Want to know what was in the box and the reason for Kendra’s ick dance? Pre-order the book! It comes out March 1^st!

Add Perception to your Goodreads shelves.

Thanks to Scholastic for the Advanced Readers Copy for review!

Jaime's Review of Partials by Dan Wells

From Goodreads.
The human race is all but extinct after a war with Partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by RM, a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island while the Partials have mysteriously retreated. The threat of the Partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to RM in more than a decade. Our time is running out.
Kira, a sixteen-year-old medic-in-training, is on the front lines of this battle, seeing RM ravage the community while mandatory pregnancy laws have pushed what's left of humanity to the brink of civil war, and she's not content to stand by and watch. But as she makes a desperate decision to save the last of her race, she will find that the survival of humans and Partials alike rests in her attempts to uncover the connections between them--connections that humanity has forgotten, or perhaps never even knew were there.
Dan Wells, acclaimed author of "I Am Not a Serial Killer," takes readers on a pulse pounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question--one where our humanity is both our greatest liability and our only hope for survival.

Jaime’s review….

I really liked this book! I’m not going to say loved as there were a few things that I didn’t like but, I was able to overlook them for the most part. I guess I’ll start out with what I didn’t enjoy first. The length of the book; this book took longer than most to get through and I feel it could have been shorter I hope the rest of the books in the series are because I do plan to read them. I found myself asking “when is this going to end” a few times. The second thing I didn’t enjoy; I felt no emotional connection to any of the characters in the story my heart didn’t race during the action sequences and I didn’t get upset when something bad happened. I also usually have a crush on one of the male characters in a book but I didn’t find myself drawn to any of them. So no swooning over a boy in this one for me guys.

Now on to what I did like. The story itself was awesome and beautifully written!  I really liked the idea and the way Dan Wells envisioned the world and how they came to be after the wars. Kira is a pretty badass heroine and her circle of friends were also pretty awesome! I also really liked the description of the places in the story I could easily visualize them. I really want to learn more about the partials themselves and I hope book 2 is more about them and the mysterious Para-Gen. Oh and the cover was gorgeous! Like I said I definitely will be reading book 2 and I am looking forward to it!

Add Partials to your Goodreads shelves.

Partials comes out February 28^th so make sure to pre-order your copy!

Thanks to Harper Teen and Netgalley for the review copy!

Jaime's Review of The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

From Goodreads.
After spending six hundred years on Earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world's riches but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to take the bodies of other humans from jumping from one vessel to the next, ending the human's life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she's done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.

Then sixteen-year old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body while trying to save her. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she's inhabiting--and falling in love with the boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she's his again, and every moment she stays, she's putting herself and the people she's grown to care about in danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that's eluded her for centuries: true love?

Jaime’s review….

I am finding some really great books by Northern California authors which is awesome since I live here. I love being able to read about locations I’m familiar with and Alchemy is no exception! Set in San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley I recognized a good amount of the locations and I really felt like I was there with Sera experiencing the things she was. Yes even the dive bar in Jack London Square. I only have two complaints about this book one? It was too short and, two? I have to wait a whole damned year for the next one and with an ending like this I’m chomping at the bit to read more now!

What I really loved about this book was even though it was paranormal there was a scientific aspect to it Sera wasn’t immortal because of some magical being like a vampire or a curse science; specifically alchemy was the cause for her immortality and she’s had to move from body to body over the centuries. That idea intrigued me I mean can you imagine? You could be anyone you wanted! That being said I don’t know if I’d want to kill a person’s soul to take over their body.

I also loved that Sera had to make herself into Kailey after she accidentally took over her body she really tried to be this girl and learn her life and in that life was a boy Noah and he’s swoon-worthy!  Not only that but he’s caring and funny and I fell for him just like Sera did. I hated Cyrus the villain in this he’s just skeevy something about him made my skin crawl but that’s what makes him the perfect bad guy!

The passage I chose is after Sera has been grounded and not allowed to go to a Halloween party. Noah shows up unexpectedly.

“Was Nicole there?” I ask, biting my lip.

“Yeah” he looks away.

I take a deep breath. “She likes you, you know.”

“I know.” He fiddles with his shoelaces. “I think I may have accidentally given her the wrong idea. She’s… not really my type.”

“What is your type?” The words are out of my mouth before I can take them back.

At this, he looks up slowly, his eyes searching mine. He chuckles softly. “Well, until recently, I wouldn’t say I had one.”

My heart starts to pound. I want him to kiss me. I want his hands to tangle my hair, to feel his beating human heart against my stolen one. The thought is unbidden, but I can’t say it’s brand new. I also can’t say it doesn’t scare me.

Here’s the trailer to entice you a bit more J

The Alchemy of Forever is out in stores now so go get it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

Make sure to add it to your Goodreads shelves and check out Avery’s website at Alloy Entertainment.

Thanks Simon & Schuster for the Advanced Readers Copy!

Jaime's Review of Buried by Linda Joy Singleton

From Goodreads.
In a new school and determined to keep her secrets from being discovered, Thorn finds a mysterious locket that leads to a shocking discovery—the unmarked grave of a newborn baby. Surrounded by new friends she barely knows, as well as the school’s famous former student, a smoking-hot musician named Phillipe, Thorn must investigate to find out if one of them is a murderer.

Jaime’s review….

Confession I’ve had this book for a long time and have read it twice. I’ve been dying for it to get closer to release day so I could post my review!

Linda Joy Singleton is a favorite author of mine not only because she’s local but, because she writes great books! Most of them are set in Northern California so I am very familiar with the places! Her Seer series is one of my absolute favorites and is where we originally meet Thorn. I was so glad to hear that she was going to get her own story because I really felt that she needed one.

In Buried I will admit that I missed the Northern California locations as she set this one in Nevada and I also missed some of the characters from the Seer books. I get it though this was Thorn’s book so it had to be new. There were scenes where a couple of my faves showed up in a way that didn’t steal the scene from Thorn but it was still cool they were there. I also enjoy how Linda focused this book on Thorn and not Thorn and a boy. Don’t get me wrong there’s a boy but it’s not all about him which I found refreshing! I really loved this story Thorn’s psychometry  or “finding ability” is something I find fascinating I don’t know if  I could deal with it I mean she finds a baby’s grave ugh poor thing (yes both Thorn and the baby!) There’s a character whom is called the Grin Reaper who I adored he is awesome! This book was so much fun to read and I really can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Linda write faster!  ;) ;)

Buried comes out March 8^th so make sure to pre-order your copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or the Book Depository and if you want to meet Thorn before that get the Seer books I highly recommend them!!!! Also make sure to check out Linda’s website for information about all of her books!

Make sure to add Buried to your Goodreads lists and also the Seer Series too!

Thanks to my friend Linda Joy Singleton and Flux books for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book!