Remember by Shannon Dermott

ARC Review

When sixteen year old Charlize finds herself unmistakably lost in the forest with no memory how she got there, it was easy for her to assume the angel face boy who saves her was there to. But little did she know that couldn’t be further from the truth.

With a brush of death, she finds new reasons to live after the unexplained death of her father. Her only regret in last three years was letting the one boy she could have loved get away.

Plunged into a world not of her making, there are those that will hunt her, a foe that calls her Little Queen, and her torn heart. Most of all, she will have to remember and face her memories if she is to survive.

My Review

What I Loved: 

The guys:  Remember the whole book boyfriend thing I talked about?  This book has two!  Peter is the dark, mysterious bad boy.  Tattoos and piercings but an amazingly sweet guy underneath it all.  Then there is Adam.  The best friend, loyal and all-American guy.  Both of these guys are great and Charlie has to choose between them.  Not an easy decision when one of them will end up hurt and half her heart will be broken.
Charlize (Charlie):  Love this girl!  She was raised to be tough and independent and to stand on her own two feet.  These are the kinds of girls I love to see as the lead characters in books.  I am a firm believer that while dreaming about Prince Charming is great, our girls should be taught to be like Charlie and not be waiting around for a guy to come and save them.
Mystery:  The author does a great job of having just enough mystery in the story to keep you hooked.  It drives me crazy when authors build so much mystery in to the story and then give nothing away.  Luckily, in this book you get enough clues and answers that you won't go completely batty.

Not So Much:

Twilight-esque:  This part is a bit of a spoiler so be warned.  Charlie is caught between two guys; one a vampire, one a shifter.  While it is a completely different story it still resembles Twilight. Although, in the author's defense there are only so many options when writing about a paranormal love triangle.  I just got a little bored with all the vampire/shifter books that rode the coattails of Twilight.

Editing!:  So...My daughter calls me a Grammar Nazi and I have to say it is a bit true.  Because of that I try to be a bit lenient about editing when I read books.  This book just had so many issues it almost appeared as if it had never been edited.  It drove me a bit crazy and I probably wouldn't have read the entire book if the story hadn't been so great.

Parent Guide:

This book is appropriate for high school and older. I would not recommend it to kids younger than that.  Take in to account that it does contain vampires and shifters, so there is some death.  Most is a direct result of keeping Charlie safe but it may still be disturbing for younger readers.  There is also some talk about sex.  Nothing graphic or nearly as bad as the things I hear in the hallways of my kids' schools but still there.

My Rating
 

The Last of the Firedrakes by Farah Oomerbhoy

ARC Review 
Publication date: August 15, 2015

           
 16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.

Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.

With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever.
 
Description and book pic from Goodreads

My Review

What I Loved: 

Aurora:  She is a great character.  I love that the author makes her so realistic.  Many times in books authors will make teen characters a little over the top; either super complacent (which teens just aren't) or so bratty you can't stand them (which luckily most aren't).  Aurora is just the right mix, a little snarky and head-strong but an overall good kid.

Rafe:  So many readers of the female persuasion are completely captivated by what we refer to as our 'book boyfriends'.  There is just something girls love about great male characters that sweep the female lead off their feet and Rafe is a great example of this. A man of mystery, amazing fighter and totally committed to Aurora.  If only it were that simple!  Not giving anything away though so read the book!

Not So Much:

Harry Potter: So I know that the plot line is completely different from Harry Potter but I just couldn't help but get that same sort of vibe when Aurora enrolls in the magic school.  It could be that I would feel the same way about any book featuring a magic school since I loved all the Harry Potter books.  Who knows?
More depth:  The plot is great and the writer is amazing but I wished that there had been a little more depth to the story.  It almost had more of a novella or serial feel (which for the record I do not enjoy) instead of a novel.  The author skimmed over so much potential story, especially with Aurora's time at school.  I like to really get in to the character's heads and understand the reasons behind what they do in the story and I just didn't get that in this book. 

Parent Guide:

This book is great for middle school ages and up.  No swearing or adult themes.  It is a typical story of good versus evil and the evil queen uses dark magic so that may need to be taken in to consideration as I know there are some parents that do not allow their kids to read about magic.

My Rating

Ignited (Unclaimed #2) by Laurie Wetzel

ARC Review

Expected publication date: August 3rd 2015

After surviving an attack from a demon that killed her friend, Maddy Page thought the worst was over.

It’s not.

Word is spreading through the supernatural world about Maddy, the mortal girl with rare gifts. Some want to use her powers; others want to destroy her. One wants to protect her—her boyfriend, an angel named MJ.

MJ knows that the demon that attacked Maddy was sent to collect her by someone very powerful. Someone he has tried and failed to stop before. MJ can’t beat him, but he will do whatever it takes to keep Maddy safe, even if it means turning his back on his own kind. 

Picture and book description from Goodreads.com.

My Review

What I Loved: 

Justin:  He is an horrible character that was introduced in the Unclaimed.  He was kind of creepy and disturbing in the first book but it this book he literally mad my skin crawl.  In Ignited he is truly evil and stalks Maddy through the whole book.  He believes that he loves her but it is just obsession and she just can't find a way to get away from him.  Absolutely one of the best book villains I have come across.

Mystery:  I had a ton of questions at the end of book one and was hoping that I would be able to get some answers in book two.  Didn't happen. In fact I think I have more questions now.  It certainly makes me anxious to get my hand on the next book.  The author did a great job of giving just enough info to get you hooked in to the story while holding out important info to insure readers will want the next book.

Maddy: When I reviewed the first book I complained that Maddy was too whiny and self-loathing, and boy was she!  In this book  she was so much better about not hating on herself and not nearly so whiny.  Thank heavens!  I actually really like Maddy in this book.  Her life is crazy but she is starting to remember the person she used to be and not let her circumstances send her in to self doubt and insecurities. I am hoping that she will eventually go back to the self confident, kick-butt girl she used to be!

Not So Much:

?:  So this was hard.  I didn't absolutely love this book but I really can't say why.  The only thing I can think of is that maybe it is because of how dependent Maddy is on MJ.  It is great how much they love each other but Maddy seriously needs him touching her to feel complete.  I get that it is an important part of the story line but I wish it wasn't quite so extreme.   While I am far from a feminist, I also don't like girls getting the message that they cannot be complete without a guy in their lives.  Girls need to be told they are enough on their own.  Maybe I just couldn't get passed this enough to rate it higher.

Parent Guide:

The book by default could be considered disturbing by some parents since it is about angles and demons.  That said there are only a few things parents should be aware of.  I already mentioned the first thing above.  The scene containing the murder is disturbing but not graphic.  There is also a scene in which a demon is compelling a human to do something they would never do normally.  There is also possession, not The Exorcist type of possession but where a spirit takes over a body to experience life.  The spirit doesn't do anything bad but it is still possession.

My Rating

  

Unclaimed by Laurie Wetzel

Abandoned by her birth parents and ignored by her adoptive family, Maddy Page believes she is unlovable. She only allows herself to dream of falling in love. That changes when she meets MJ; handsome and kind, MJ penetrates Maddy's defenses. Maddy soon finds herself confiding in MJ like she has with no one else, revealing secrets even her closest friends don't know. He makes her feel safe--a feeling she's never experienced except in her dreams.

When Maddy witnesses MJ disappear and reappear in thin air, she realizes she might have been wrong about him. He could be dangerous--maybe even a killer. Determined to uncover the truth of who--or what--MJ is, Maddy ignores her instinct to run. But she soon realizes that getting close to MJ could cost more than a broken heart--it could cost Maddy her soul.

Book picture and description from  Goodreads.com

My Review

   I know this may come as a shock but this review is for a book that I actually purchased.  I know the other reviews here have been for books I was given to review.  It may seem that I only read these free books but the truth is that I read a ton of books that I purchase myself but because they are mostly mass market books I haven't bothered to review them.  I have decided to add reviews for all of the books that I read, partly in hopes that I can share other wonderful books with you but also because I am finding that I have read so many books I don't always remember the particulars of those books unless they are exceptional and I would like to be able to look back at what I have read and remember more than I would on my own.

   I actually bought this book because I signed up to read the second book in this series and found that there was just too much I was missing to really lose myself in the story.  This first book was a fun read.  The story isn't too unique. There are several books, especially lately, that fall in to the paranormal romance genre. Vampire, werewolves, angles.  There is only so much an author can do to make the story unique when writing in this genre. That being said I have to admit that I am a sucker for these stories and even though this story isn't unique it is still a great read.

   I loved most of the characters.  They were very relatable.  My favorite is definitely MJ.  What girl isn't a sucker for an amazing guy?  Especially one that always knows the right things to say and continually saves the love of his life.  Despite liking the characters I did have a bit of a hard time dealing with Maddy.  She is always down on herself and always thinks the worst.  I understand teen angst, I really do, but hers was a bit over the top. She finds a great guy...she hates on herself, she finds out she is special...she hates on herself, etc.  The only time she isn't hating on herself is when she is physically touching MJ because he has the power to fill her with peace, but the second he lets go the self hate begins again.  While I get the need for it as part of the plot (don't want to give away too much) but I just wish that Maddy wasn't so negative.  Maybe once I read book two I will understand a little better and it won't bug me as much.

   The author does a great job with building the mystery around Maddy.  She has several protectors that keep an eye on her and try to hide her from both Heaven and Hell.  Both sides would love to control her powers.  What are you supposed to do when both sides will do her harm?  I love that the side that is supposed to be inherently good isn't able to be trusted.  After all Lucifer began in Heaven only to fall because of his desires.  What is to stop others from following in his footsteps?  Luckily Maddy is unknowingly surrounded by beings trying to protect her, even if they aren't traditionally the 'good guys'.   The problem is that there are always questions surrounding the motives of these protectors.  Hopefully they are just wanting to be there for Maddy and hopefully the second book will answers these and many other questions.

   

My Rating

   I would have rated this a 5 if not for Maddy's over-the-top self hatred.

Parents Guide:  There is a small bit of swearing but nothing bad.  The book does have some disturbing scenes related to the demon that is after Maddy.

A Million Miles Away by Lara Avery

Perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks, this breathtaking story of love and loss is guaranteed to break your heart and sweep you off your feet.

When high school senior Kelsey's identical twin sister, Michelle, dies in a car crash, Kelsey is left without her other half. The only person who doesn't know about the tragedy is Michelle's boyfriend, Peter, recently deployed to Afghanistan. But when Kelsey finally connects with Peter online, she can't bear to tell him the truth. Active duty has taken its toll, and Peter, thinking that Kelsey is Michelle, says that seeing her is the one thing keeping him alive. Caught up in the moment, Kelsey has no choice: She lets Peter believe that she is her sister.

As Kelsey keeps up the act, she crosses the line from pretend to real. Soon, Kelsey can't deny that she's falling, hard, for the one boy she shouldn't want.

Picture and  description from Goodreads.com

My Review

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

  I wasn't sure what to think when I began reading this book.  I thought the description sounded very intriguing but I really have a hard time with lying.  I don't like liars and so I really wasn't sure how I would respond to this book.  That being said I tried to go in to the book without any biases. 

  Right from the beginning I fell in love with the characters in this book.  It starts by showing the dynamics between twin sisters, Kelsey and Michelle.  While they may be eerily identical they could not be more different in every other way.  Kelsey is popular, a phenomenal dancer and in to all things social.  Michelle is an artist, in to the environment and not in to the social scene at all.  The two sisters definitely have a love-hate (mostly hate) relationship.  Then suddenly Michelle is gone and Kelsey's whole world is turned upside down.

   The author nails Kelsey's grief spot on.  You can feel her horror, guilt and sorrow at loosing half of herself and her identity.  Most of us have lost someone in our own lives but I cannot imagine how it would feel to lose a twin.  The ties between twins are so much most entwined than those of us that are not twins can only imagine.  The author does such a good job at portraying Kelsey's grief that I actually felt my heart breaking in some points in the book.  Be forewarned though...you will need tissues while reading this book!

    After losing her sister Kelsey makes a huge mistake.  When she connects with Michelle's boyfriend, who is a soldier serving in Afghanistan, she decides to pretend to be Michelle.  Why would she do this?  Her reason is noble.  Peter is struggling as a new soldier in a war zone.  We have all heard of the horrors and stress that our soldiers face while in Afghanistan.  While Kelsey is talking to Peter on Skype she sees he is haunted, and when he tells her that she (Michelle) is the only thing that keeps him going Kelsey can't bring herself to tell him that Michelle is dead.  I would probably have done the same thing.  Our soldiers need something to hope for to keep them going and Peter needed Michelle.  That being said, Kelsey takes it a bit too far when for months she keeps up the lie.  She even travels over seas to join him on leave and never tells him the truth.  Kelsey comes to realize that she needs Peter as much as he needs her.

   So what happens when Peter finally finds out the truth?  You will have to read the book to find out! I hope you will love it as much as I did!

 My Rating

 

I'm Back!

So I took a long break from blogging.  That doesn't mean that I stopped reading (heaven forbid!) but just that life got in the way.  With kids and work and a hubby, all of which I love, life is a bit crazy and some things get pushed to the side.  Now that school is out for the summer I am hoping that I can get back in to the swing of blogging.  I really do love books and I love sharing my thoughts on them. In real life I am pretty shy and don't talk to a ton of people so even if no one reads this blog it is cathartic for me.  I have always been better at expressing myself in writing than in every day conversation.  Hopefully someone out there in the ether of the internet will gain something from my blogging and find at least a few new books or authors to fall in love with.

Deep Green by Trisha Haddad

Adrift in a lifeboat with strangers, each holding a deep secret…

Leah Taylor prefers the quiet adventure and romance of books, but during a cruise with her parents, a terrorist attack leaves her adrift in a lifeboat with strangers.

University student, Blue McCree impresses her immediately with his knowledge of literature and philosophy, but equally thrilling is strong, dark ,Musir. While Musir is slow to speak, translating his thoughts from Arabic to English, his chivalry and wisdom capture Leah’s curiosity.

Together they face danger after danger as they fight for survival. Leah also struggles with the growing attention from the men she's stranded with, and her mixed emotions toward them.

When Leah learns the dark secrets her fellow survivors hold, the truth will blow apart any semblance of civility and test Leah’s preconceived notions of just how far dedication can go before it crosses over into fanaticism.

Picture and description from Goodreads.com 

  My Review

 I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

   When I started this book I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Honestly with all of the fear and bigotry directed toward people of Arabic descent lately I was a bit worried about how the author would address this and create a great story.  I loved that the author was able to show how misplaced the bigotry toward people just because of how they look while at the same time creating a beautiful and sweet love story.

   The story begins with Leah, her parents and her aunt enjoying their vacation on a cruise ship.  They are walking around the deck when they pass a young Arabic man.  Much to Leah’s dismay her aunt feels the need to wonder loudly and out loud why the ship would let a ‘terrorist’ on board the cruise ship.  Leah admonishes her aunt so that the young man will know she does not feel the same way as her aunt.  She and the young man do not talk but Leah feels she did the right thing in making sure he knew she did not judge him just because of where he came from.  Later that night as Leah is on her way to the Captain’s Dinner she runs in to the Arabic young man, Musir, again.  This time he is in a panic and cannot think clearly enough to speak English.  Leah finds a young man to translate named Blue McGee.  By the time Blue tells her that Musir saw people on the ship with guns the gunfire erupts inside.  Blue runs off in a panic leaving Leah and Musir behind.  After a moment of thinking Musir picks Leah up and tosses her over the side of the ship in to a lifeboat.  What comes next is a story of survival with Blue, Musir, Leah and a couple of others that the young men rescued.

   It is always nice to find YA books that are clean reads.  This book has nothing inappropriate for teens or older readers.  In the beginning Leah is drawn to both Blue and Musir.  I will not give away the guy she ends up with but I will say it was the one I was rooting for all along.  The plot was very interesting and I was a bit surprised to find out who the ‘terrorists’ were that took over the ship.  It was heartbreaking to find that people were hurt just for some people to force their views on others.  The only thing I wished were different in this story was that I would have liked to have more of an idea what happened after the ending.  In my imagination Leah and her man are able to be together back in the real world.  I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone that loves a sweet and innocent YA love story.