REVIEW - ReVamped (Angel Creek #1) by Ada Adams

Title: ReVamped 
Author: Ada Adams
Series: Angel Creek #1
Published: February 20th 2012
Genre: Ya Paranormal Romance

Links: Goodreads / Amazon
Source: Won ebook

Summary:
A simple mission turned deadly.

Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.

When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.

3/5

This was a nice, exciting read but I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. There were a few things that annoyed me so that's why I only gave it 3 stars.

The first thing that annoyed me was when Dawn went to Angel Creek to recruit the new guardians. They all just gave up everything and went with her without so much as a questioning why them? If that was me and some stranger just told me to follow them and to go to an isolated cabin in the middle of woods with them I would like to think I'd be a little hesitant :P I mean sure they were told that they were selected to be the new guardians of the town but they all expected it too quickly for my liking. I mean whats to say that she was actually telling you the truth? You know what they say. Don't get into a van with a stranger just because he offers you sweets. 

Another thing that annoyed me was the love interests. Ethan bugged me. It wasn't a case of insta-love but it wasn't far off it. How can he have fallen so head over heels for Dawn after just one encounter?? Seriously they spoke like two words to each other and all of a sudden they are both mad after one another. Sebastian wasn't as bad. I could kind of understand his attraction to her and Dawn's attraction to him but even still. It just felt too rushed even though they didn't kiss until the very end of the book. I also didn't find him as brooding and moody as everyone else makes him out to be. He didn't come across as that much of a "bad boy" in my opinion. And another thing, after what Ethan did I would not have forgiven him as quickly as the others did. No way!

So your probably wondering why I even gave it 3 stars but apart from all the above it was an interesting read. The big surprise at the end was quite a shocker and the action scenes were good so I will read ReAwakened just to find out what happens next. But overall I was kind of disappointed :(

Waiting on Wednesday (#34) - Special Vlog Edition!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine,

which spotlights upcoming books we can't wait to read.

I have a surprise for you today. Instead of the normal WoW post, we have done a Christmas Vlog edition! We are going to talk about the books that are on our wishlists for Christmas :)

This is our very first vlog so it might not be the best one around but we'll get there :)

Keep an eye out for more in the future and if there are any specific kinds of vlogs you would like to see let us know!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up to date with all our vlogs
http://www.youtube.com/user/xTheShadowRealmx 

So here we go!

(Links to all the books mentioned are below)

OUR TOP 10!

Lisa's Top Ten:
1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
2. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
3. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
4. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
5. Pretties (Uglies #2) by Scott Westerfeld
6. Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies #3) by Pittacus Lore
7. The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1) by Patrick Ness
8. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
9. Specials (Uglies #3) by Scott Westerfeld
10. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan

Yvonne's Top Ten:
1. Opal (Lux #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
2. Black City by Elizabeth Richards
3. Pure & Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout
4. Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout
5. Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
6. Toxic (Denazen #2) by Jus Accardo
7. Violet Midnight by Lynn Rush
8. Warm Bodies Isacc Marion
9. A Beautiful Evil (Gods & Monsters #2) by Kelly Keaton
10. Eve & Once by Anna Carey


What's on your wishlist for Christmas? :)

Cover Reveal - Resisting Fate by Marie De La Rosa

About the Author:

Marie De La Rosa holds a degree in Graphic Design and has returned to college in hopes of obtaining a degree in Criminal Justice. With a passion for reading and writing, she excelled in Advanced Placement classes during high school but always considered writing a hobby up until now. Marie is perhaps more well-known for her reviews on the Paranormal Reads and Lunar Haven Reviews & Designs book blogs.
Marie is currently working on her debut YA Paranormal novel Resisting Fate, book one in The Right of Blood Series. The series is set to be released in 2013.
When not reviewing or working on Graphic Design projects, Marie can be found at her day job, out and about with a camera in her hand, or working to finish her book. Look for more information to come in the future.

Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website

Link to the author’s cover reveal page: http://junipergrovebooksolutions.com/resisting-fate-by-marie-de-la-rosa-cover-reveal/ 

Title: Resisting Fate

Series: Book One in The Right of Blood Series

Author: Marie De La Rosa

Published: Coming in 2013

Genre: YA Paranormal

Cover Art: Claudia McKinney - PhatPuppy Creations

Synopsis:

Eighteen-year-old Araina was your normal teenager or at least she believed that to be true. She had only two things on her mind: graduating high school and getting away from home to start a life all on her own. But after a tragic accident claims the life of her mother, Araina is left dumbfounded and finds herself on a much different path: enrolling in the local college in Austin. Convinced that her mother’s death was no accident, she becomes obsessed with finding out the truth, and becomes disconnected from everything around her in the process.

That is … until she meets Lucca.

Lucca is the captain of the Resistance: an elite group sworn to protect Araina. He knows the truth about her mother’s death and the future attempts that will be made on Araina’s life due to her being the great-granddaughter of Leto, mother of Artemis and Apollo, which is why it is important he follow the one rule given to him: Don’t get too attached.

It is his job to gain her trust and somehow reveal her true lineage and what the fates have in store for her. Araina is about to be thrown into a world she never knew and will have to come to terms with the role she will play in the Resistance.

Will she stand up and fight or will she lose the one thing everyone has been trying to protect?

Her Life.

Excerpt:

He walked the path back to the house they were using as their headquarters at the moment; though it wasn’t much on the outside the inside made up plenty for it. As he walked in through the door he stopped and looked to the right to stare at his own reflection. Heavy bags hung under his eyes, his tan skin was much duller and his black hair a mess.

“You need to get rest. Huntir and I have everything set up so take this opportunity to gather your strength. Wearing yourself out like this will not be beneficial in guarding her.”

Lucca turned to his older brother Matteo, surprised that he had arrived so soon. “I know, I will go take a shower and get rest, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.” He passed Matteo but not before laying his hand on his brother's shoulder as if silently reassuring him not to worry and that he was fine. Though his brother had pointed out his need for rest, his mind was running around with too many unanswered questions with no way to solve them. But one question he kept going back to was always the same, the one that would matter most in the end.

When he finally reveals the truth to her will she rise from her sorrow and be the savior they needed her to be? Or will she turn away and go into hiding like her mother did and suffer the same fate? As he got to the top of the stairs, without turning around he asked, “Why did you arrive ahead of schedule brother?” he waited for his brother to reply, a heavy silence floated between the two. He did not expect the next few words that came out of his brother’s mouth.

“We have verification on who killed Aella.”

Opal Giveaway!

The awesomeness that is JLA is holding a giveaway on her website for a copy of Opal plus some Lux swag!

So go enter!

http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/want-to-read-opal/ 

Showcase Sunday (#16)

Showcase Sunday is a new weekly meme hosted by Vicky @ Books Biscuits and Tea. If you'd like to join see HERE for more details.

Yvonne

(Click picture for goodreads page)

Bought:

Yay!!!!! :D

T

Bought:

Exodus by Julie Bertagna

Stealing Phoenix by Joss Sterling

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Fever by Dee Shulman

Fated by Alyson Noel

What did you get this week?

Opal (Lux #3) Trailer Reveal

Opal (Lux #3)

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

Available in both print and digital version on December 18, 2012
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Official Opal Book Trailer

Check out Jennifer L. Armentrout on the following sites:
Facebook
Twitter
Official Website

Waiting on Wednesday (#33)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine,

which spotlights upcoming books we can't wait to read.

My WoW for this week is:

Pretty Dark Nothing by Heather L. Reid

Goodreads Summary:

It’s been twenty three days since Quinn has slept for more than minutes at a time. Demons have invaded her dreams, stalking her, and whispering of her death. The lack of sleep and crippling fear are ruining her life. Energy drinks and caffeine pills don’t make a dent. When Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. The demons are determined to keep them apart, and Aaron from discovering the secret locked away in his memory. Together, they could banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.

My thoughts:

I think demons were my first love when it came to anything supernatural. They just fascinate me. This one sounds really interesting and look at that cover!Gorgeous!!

Expected Release Date: April 2013

What book are you waiting for?

Yvonne

Showcase Sunday (#15)

Showcase Sunday is a new weekly meme hosted by Vicky @ Books Biscuits and Tea. If you'd like to join see HERE for more details.

Yvonne

(Click pictures for goodreads page)

Bought:

T

Bought:

Love you to Death & High Stakes by Meg Cabot

Mean Spirits & Young Blood by Meg Cabot

Forsaken by Jana Oliver

Forbidden by Jana Oliver

What did you get this week?

REVIEW - Luminare (Florence Waverly #2) by Ciye Cho

Title: Luminaire 
Author: Ciye Cho
Series: Florence Waverly #2
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Expected publication: 1st Dec 2012
Links: Website / Goodreads / Amazon
Source: eBook from Author

Summary:
Being the only human in a world of merfolk... isn't easy. Florence Waverley chose to stay in Niemela, but things have gone awry. Secrets have risen and the prince she cares about has pulled away. All the while, dark dreams warn her of a tragedy that only she can stop. But in order to save the merman she loves, Florence will have to enter the Life Path tournament: a brutal test of fear and madness.

The tournament is a rite of passage--a maze where young mermaids and mermen battle to find their purpose. It is also a place where Florence will face grave danger: mermaids with evil magic, tunnels filled with sea fire, and guardians who wish to use her as a pawn in their secret plans. But will Florence be strong enough to survive the tournament... or will she perish inside it?

Everything hangs in the balance: her life, her world, and her love.

5/5

Oh dear god how I LOVE this book!! I just can't express how much I love and adore the world that the author has created. I just want to dive in to the pages and never resurface. 

Cho is one of the best descriptive writers I have ever encountered. They way he describes Niemela and the creatures down there is phenomenal. You can see every colour, feel every texture, you just feel like you are really down there with Florence and all the mer people. They world is so layered, between the vibrance and colourfulness of the kingdom to the eeriness and mystery of the darkness. If you don't like too much description in your books then maybe this one isn't for you but I still HIGHLY encourage you to give it a try. It's just so amazing.

Florence I really like. She isn't the usual clingy and needy character. She has grown so much in the two books. In Luminaire she decides to enter the Life Path tournament so as to finally feel like she belongs somewhere. She wants to show the mer people that is not some weak little human. She is such a strong character with a warm and caring heart. 

Rolan I love. Even though he becomes very closed off and pulls away from Florence I still loved him and so wanted him and Florence to finally become an official couple. The few rare glimpses we see of the other side of Rolan are so sweet and I could tell that he really does care deeply about Florence. They are just so cute together.

Yolee I also love. She is so cute! I just want to squeeze her! She is so loyal and supportive of Florence. She has stood by her side the whole time even when everyone else has shunned her. I just want to be her friend.

The darker side of Niemela is seen more in this installment and more and more questions are raised as to what is happening. The tournament is full of danger and and brutal tests of both body and mind. It was very reminiscent of the tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire although this one felt much darker and more dangerous. We learn a lot more about Niemela society and I was fascinated by the different Life Paths and we got to learn more about the history and customs of the mer people.

I could go on and on about how much I love this series but I won't so I'll just leave you with this: READ THIS NOW!!! You won't be disappointed! 

*I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

REVIEW - Burning Bridges (The Bleeding Heart Trilogy #1) by Nadège Richards

Title: Burning Bridges 
Author: Nadège Richards
Series: The Bleeding Heart Trilogy #1
Published: July 14th 2012
Genre: Fantasy/Dystopian Romance
Links: Goodreads / Amazon
Source: eCopy from Author

Summary:
Do or Die...

In a world that has been divided amongst the Hunter race and the Warrior, prisoners who have fallen prey to King Cyrus' decrees are forced into the arena to fight until death. Winner is granted mercy and privilege to see another sunrise. Death unto the weak. In an attempt to get back at everyone who has ever shut her out, seventeen year-old Princess Echo becomes another victim, dragging Ayden, her forbidden love, along in a race to freedom, to find out who she really is, and to put a world that has been swallowed by lies back together again.

In the first installment of The Bleeding Heart Trilogy, life becomes a dangerous game of kill or be killed, love or let go. When death threatens the forbidden love of an unlikely couple and they are forced to do the unthinkable, to what extent will they go to be together?

5/5

This book was fantastic! I loved every bit of it! Richards has created an amazing world where choices have been taken away and people have been divided. Nothing is what it seems and one step out of place results in a fight to the death. But will you be the one to survive?

The world that the story is set in is new and fascinating. There are monarchies, balls, horse and carriages but at the same time people wear jeans, wear nail polish and have mobile-phone-like devices. It is a blend of old and new, something that I found very intriguing. Society is split in two, divided between the Warrior and Hunter race. The Hunter race live in poverty and Richards depicted this very well it the way she described the ruined city and how they found it hard to find work to earn money to put food on the table. 

The characters I really liked. Princess Echo feels like an anomaly. She knows she should be excited about getting married and soon becoming Queen but she doesn't. She doesn't want this life. All she wants is to be free to make her choices and not have to follow her fathers orders the whole time. She doesn't believe in the way the people are treated and how they have to be divided. But after one disappointment after another she slowly loses the will to fight. That is until she meets Ayden. They instantly form a connection and soon they embark on a forbidden romance, one that will mean the death of them if discovered.

Echo I liked. I liked how she stood up for herself and chose to make a stand. She saw that the way her father ruled was wrong and I loved that she decided enough was enough. I really rooted for her. Ayden was great too. My heart broke for him and the situation he was in. I really rooted for these too as a couple and just wanted them to get the break in life they deserved. 

This is a heart-wrenching and action-packed book that will stay with you long after you've finished it. I loved how it started in the present and then skipped back to 5 weeks before. This hooked me and I had to know what was gonna happen. I also loved how it was told from both Echo's and Ayden's POV. You really got to see both sides of the divide and the difference and also the similarities in these characters lives. I can't wait for Deceiving Destiny to find out what is next in store for Echo and Ayden. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

*I received an ebook of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Waiting on Wednesday (#32)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine,

which spotlights upcoming books we can't wait to read.

My WoW for this week is:

Rush (The Game #1) by Eve Silver

Goodreads Summary:

So what’s the game now? This, or the life I used to know?

When Miki Jones is pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game—her carefully controlled life spirals into chaos. In the game, she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Miki has only the guidance of secretive but maddeningly attractive team leader Jackson Tate, who says the game isn’t really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival, and the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn’t. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn.

My thoughts:

I am really getting in to books about aliens lately (you can thank a certain Mr Daemon Black for that). This one sounds really interesting. The concept of them having to hunt aliens in a game is different and I love the cover.

Expected Release Date: June 11th 2013

What book are you waiting for?

Yvonne