Review: Stay by Deb Caletti

Stay by Deb Caletti


Details: Hardcover, 313 pages
Published: April 5th 2011 by Simon Pulse
Source: I bought it.
Buy it: The Book Depository

Summary: Clara's relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it's almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he's willing to do to make her stay.

Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won't let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough....

Review: This is the first Deb Caletti book I've ever read. I've been wanting to pick up one of her books for a long time and I finally got around to doing it. I am super glad I did.

I enjoyed Stay more than I thought I would. I thought it was a great story with interesting characters and was very well written. However, I found it slow at some parts and at one point near the end the main character, Clara, does something that just made me shake my head.

Overall, I though it was a good book and I think it's worth a read. I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future.

My Rating: 

Mini Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1) by Jessica Spotswood

Details: Hardcover, 330 pages
Published: February 7th 2012 by Putnam Juvenile
Source: I think I bought it.
Buy it: The Book Depository

Summary: Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

Review: I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I enjoyed it and want to read the next book, but at the same time it just didn't pull me in. I'm not sure why that is. It has a good plot and is well written, so I'm thinking that it must have been the characters. I just didn't find them that interesting.

Hopefully the next book, Star Cursed, will be better.

My Rating:

Review: Ash by Malinda Lo

Ash by Malinda Lo


Details: Paperback, 272 pages
Published: October 5th 2010 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: I bought it.
Buy it: The Book Depository

Summary: Cinderella retold

In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.

The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash's capacity for love-and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.

Entrancing, empowering, and romantic, Ash is about the connection between life and love, and solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.

Review: I wanted this book so much and when I finally got it I was beyond excited. I'm not sure why, but for some reason it ended up sitting on my shelf for over a year before I finally got around to reading it.

All I can say is that I am so glad I bought this book and have now read it because it is amazing.

I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, but as soon as I started reading Ash I was hooked. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. I just had to know how it was going to end.

Malinda Lo's writing is beautiful. Sort of magical. It's hard to explain. I felt like a little kid while reading Ash. I don't think any other book I've read has made me feel like that, except for maybe Harry Potter.

I absolutely love all of the characters, especially Ash and Kaisa. Just everything about this book is perfect. I will definitely be buying Huntress, Adaptation, and anything else Lo writes. She is now one of my favourite authors.

If you haven't read Ash yet, what are you waiting for? It's a must read!

My Rating:

Review: The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

The Red Queen (The Cousins' War #2) by Philippa Gregory


Details: Hardcover, 382 pages
Published: August 3rd 2010 by Touchstone
Source: Either I bought it for myself or my mom got it for me.
Buy it: The Book Depository

Summary: The second book in Philippa's stunning new trilogy, The Cousins War, brings to life the story of Margaret Beaufort, a shadowy and mysterious character in the first book of the series - The White Queen - but who now takes centre stage in the bitter struggle of The War of the Roses. The Red Queen tells the story of the child-bride of Edmund Tudor, who, although widowed in her early teens, uses her determination of character and wily plotting to infiltrate the house of York under the guise of loyal friend and servant, undermine the support for Richard III and ultimately ensure that her only son, Henry Tudor, triumphs as King of England. Through collaboration with the dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret agrees a betrothal between Henry and Elizabeth's daughter, thereby uniting the families and resolving the Cousins War once and for all by founding of the Tudor dynasty.

Review: I absolutely love Philippa Gregory and will read every single one of her books. I haven't read one that I haven't enjoyed and The Read Queen is no exception.

However, it is probably my least favourite out of all of the books I've read by her. I was also surprised that I liked The White Queen more than The Red Queen, which is odd. Most people seem to prefer the second book more.

When I started The Red Queen, I really liked Margaret Beaufort, but as I got further into the book, and she got older, I began to dislike her more and more. At one point I actually called her a monster and put the book down for awhile.

In the end, I really did enjoy The Red Queen, but not as much as The White Queen. I can't wait to get my hands on the third book, The Lady of the Rivers. This is such a great series, which is no surprise. I mean it is Philippa Gregory.

My Rating:

Review: The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Details: Hardcover, 343 pages
Published: September 21st 2010 by Razorbill/Penguin Group
Source: I either bought it for myself or I got it for Christmas last year. I can't remember.
Buy it: The Book Depository

Summary: Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

Review: What can I say about this book? I have this habit about getting really excited about these kinds of books and going out and buying them even though I know deep down that they're just not my cup or tea. I always enjoy them, like it did this one, but I don't think I've ever loved one enough to give it five bats. Which is such a shame since all the ones I've read are very good.

The Replacement is no exception. It is very good and has everything you could want in a book. It has great characters, an interesting plot, and on top of that, it's well written. So why only three bats? I honestly can't tell you. I can't find anything wrong with this story. It must be because I'm not the biggest fan of fae books.

Do I think others will enjoy The Replacements? Yes, I do. Even if you are like me, I still think it's a good read. Go out and get it, or pick it up off your shelf and give it a try. Odds are you will like it.

My Rating: 

Review: Far from Xanadu by Julie Anne Peters

Far from Xanadu by Julie Anne Peters

Details: Paperback, 288 pages
Published: April 1st 2007 by Little, Brown Young Readers
Source: I won it.
Buy It: The Book Depository

Summary: Every day in Coalton is pretty much the same. Mike pumps iron in the morning, drives her truck to school, plays softball in the afternoon, and fixes the neighbors' plumbing at night. But when an exotic new girl, Xanadu, arrives in the small Kansas town, Mike's world is turned upside down. Xanadu is everything Mike is not--cool, complicated, sexy, and...straight. This heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful novel will speak to anyone who has ever fallen in love with someone just out of reach.

My Review: Julie Anne Peters is probably my favorite author, so needless to say when I found out I won a book of my choice, I picked this one.

Every book I've read by her is even better than the one before it. This one is no different. I devoured it. I just couldn't get enough and in the end, as always with Peters books, I wanted more.

I have fallen for a lot of straight girls in my life and I know how hard it is. Especially when they do the kind of things that Xanadu does. It's torture and never ends well. So I know exactly how Mike feels and what she goes through. I have related to characters before, but never like this.

The writing, as usual, is incredible. It is so easy to read, it just flows and pulls you right in. It's kind of like watching a movie. The characters and the plot are believable and real and I just couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I needed to know what was going to happen next.

If you've never read anything by Julie Anne Peters, what are you waiting for? They are some of the best books I've ever read. I need to get more of her books and soon.

Please, I am begging you, pick this book up. You will not regret it. In fact, pick up all of her books. You will love them.

Far From Xanadu now has a new title, Pretend You Love Me, and a new cover. I may have to buy it just for the hell of it.

My Rating: 

Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles #1) by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Details: Hardcover, 563 pages
Published: December 1st 2009 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: I bought it
Buy It: The Book Depository

Summary: Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

My Review: This was another one of those books that I was worried about reading because of all the hype. Just like I was with The Hunger Games. Once again, I am super happy I picked this book up.

I honestly don't think I can say one bad thing about Beautiful Creatures. It is the perfect book. Everything about it is incredible. I love the characters, the plot, the writing, not to mention the cover is gorgeous. I have absolutely no complaints.

I will be recommending this book to everyone I know and if you haven't read it yet, you must. It is one of the best books I have ever read. I can't wait to start reading Beautiful Darkness. And you can count on me buying Beautiful Chaos when it comes out.

My Rating:

Review: Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

Fragile Eternity (Wicked Lovely #3) by Melissa Marr

Details: Paperback, 389 pages
Published: May 28th 2009 by HarperCollins Children's Books
Source: I bought it
Buy It: The Book Depository

Summary: Aislinn never expected to rule in Faerie--but that was before Keenan stole her mortality to make her a monarch. Now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd ever dreamed of.

Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone--but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he's ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on a new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

My Review: I love this series. It is one of my all time favorites. Every single book is incredible and well written. Out of the three I've read so far, Fragile Eternity isn't my favorite, but I still absolutely loved it.

Melissa Marr really brings the story and characters to life. You feel like you are actually there and not just reading a book.

I love how much focus is on Seth in this book. He is an amazing character and it's nice to know more about what he's thinking and feeling.

I honestly can't wait to start reading the next book, Radiant Shadows. Hopefully that will be sometime this summer.

My Rating:

Review: Ironside by Holly Black

Ironside (The Modern Faerie Tales #3) by Holly Black

Details: Paperback, 336 pages
Published: August 6th 2007 by Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
Source: I bought it
Buy It: The Book Depository

Summary: In the realm of Faerie, the time has come for Roiben's coronation. Uneasy in the midst of the malevolent Unseelie Court, pixie Kaye is sure of only one thing -- her love for Roiben. But when Kaye, drunk on faerie wine, declares herself to Roiben, he sends her on a seemingly impossible quest. Now Kaye can't see or speak to Roiben unless she can find the one thing she knows doesn't exist: a faerie who can tell a lie.

Miserable and convinced she belongs nowhere, Kaye decides to tell her mother the truth -- that she is a changeling left in place of the human daughter stolen long ago. Her mother's shock and horror sends Kaye back to the world of Faerie to find her human counterpart and return her to Ironside. But once back in the faerie courts, Kaye finds herself a pawn in the games of Silarial, queen of the Seelie Court. Silarial wants Roiben's throne, and she will use Kaye, and any means necessary, to get it. In this game of wits and weapons, can a pixie outplay a queen?

Holly Black spins a seductive tale at once achingly real and chillingly enchanted, set in a dangerous world where pleasure mingles with pain and nothing is exactly as it appears.

My Review: Ironside is the third and final book in the Modern Faerie Tales trilogy and it was a pretty good end. Valiant is still my favorite of the three, however I really did like this book.

Ironside was hard to put down. It didn't pull me in as much as Valiant, or even Tithe, but I still wanted to keep reading to find out how it all would end. I have to admit though that I was just a tiny bit disappointed in the ending. It just didn't feel finished.

Holly Black is a fabulous writer. She creates a gripping story filled with friendship and danger. So of course I would definitely recommend this trilogy to everyone. All three books are fast, fun and well written.

My Rating:

Review: Valiant by Holly Black

Valiant (The Modern Faerie Tales #2) by Holly Black

Details: Paperback, 336 pages
Published: September 5th 2005 by SIMON & SCHUSTER CHI
Source: I bought it
Buy It: The Book Depository

Summary: When seventeen-year-old Valerie runs away to New York City, she's trying to escape a life that has utterly betrayed her. Sporting a new identity, she takes up with a gang of squatters who live in the city's labyrinthine subway system.

But there's something eerily beguiling about Val's new friends. And when one talks Val into tracking down the lair of a mysterious creature with whom they are all involved, Val finds herself torn between her newfound affection for an honorable monster and her fear of what her new friends are becoming.

My Review: Val comes home to a very big surprise, and not the good kind. Deciding to get away from it all she runs off to New York City. While there she meets some kids her age and they start hanging out. This leads her into some new and interesting situations.

Valiant is such a fast, fun, intense and compelling read. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. I don't have one single complaint with this book other then I wish it was longer.

Holly Black is a fantastic writer. You get pulled right into the story and feel like you are right there with the characters, experiencing it all with them.

I will definitely be reading this one again.

My Rating: 

Review: Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein

Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein

Details: Hardcover, 336 pages
Published: October 12th 2010 by Bloomsbury
Source: I got it from a friend
Buy It: The Book Depository

Summary: Lady Catherine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens—until her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered. In a bitter twist of irony, the jealous queen banishes Cate to Ralegh's colony of Roanoke, in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. Instead it is Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, whom the colonists—and Cate—increasingly turn to. Yet just as Cate's longings for England and Ralegh fade and she discovers a new love in Manteo, Ralegh will finally set sail for the New World.

Seamlessly weaving together fact with fiction, Lisa Klein's newest historical drama is an engrossing tale of adventure and forbidden love—kindled by one of the most famous mysteries in American history: the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, who disappeared without a trace forty years before the Pilgrims would set foot in Plymouth.

My Review: Cate was one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens until she fell for Sir Walter Ralegh and is sent away. She is strong and brave and forced to start a challenging and terrifying life in a new place where she doesn't know if she, or anyone else, will survive.

Cate of the Lost Colony is an incredible and well written story with love and adventure. I was pulled right in from the start.

If you like historical fiction, there is a good chance you will enjoy this book. I will definitely be reading more by Lisa in the future.

My Rating: