Review: Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight #1.5

Learn more about Midnight Sun at stepheniemeyer.com

This book was free to download.

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SUMMARY:

Midnight Sun is the much anticipated retelling of Twilight from Edward Cullen's perspective. An unedited partial draft was illegally leaked onto the internet in 2008; consequently, author Stephenie Meyer put the project on indefinite hold. 

Shortly afterward, she posted a letter to her fans on her website including a link to the entire partial draft of the book so that those who wanted to read it could do so legally and with her consent.

REVIEW:

*This is a re-read and review.

This is the second time that I have read Midnight Sun since Stephenie Meyer officially released it to the eyes of the readers.  I'm a huge Twilight fan, so just like before, I'm amazed at the intricate workings of Edward's mind and how he witnesses and experiences the events and characters that we all know and have grown to love.

I so honestly wish that this book had no been ruined by it's unscheduled leak.  Twilight, entirely in Edward's point of view, is a book that most Twilight fans have yearned for.  I cannot express how badly I wish that Midnight Sun would have been finished.

If you are a Twilight fan (or even just an Edward fan) and you have (for some reason) not read Midnight Sun, then I highly recommend it to you.  You finally get the chance to learn what the heck is going on inside his head, as well as more information about the world of Twilight and it's characters.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

Edward and Bella.

RATING:

5 MOONS.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

Review: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush #2

Learn more about Crescendo at beccafitzpatrick.com

This book was gifted to me through RAK.

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SUMMARY:

Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

REVIEW:

It had been a while since I had read Hush, Hush but it took me no time at all to get right back into the storyline and pick up where I left off.  This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  Hush, Hush was one of the best books I read in 2011 and Crescendo was definitely not a letdown.

There were a lot of things in this book that surprised me.  I tried to work out the plot as I read (like always) and found that my thoughts were a lot more complicated than the actual storyline.  This worked in the authors favor this time because it left me shocked by some revelations in the end.

There were quite a few things that I didn't see coming and a lot of things that had me frustrated with the characters, but in a good way.

I finished the book pretty quickly and immediately began reading Silence, the next in the series.  This is definitely a series of books that continue to hold my interest and keep me guessing.  Which a really good thing.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

Patch.

RATING:

4.5 MOONS.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

Review: Fading Into Magic by Vone Savan

Fading Into Magic #1

Learn more about Fading Into Magic at vonesavan.com

This book was provided for free by the publishers for review.

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SUMMARY:

After entering a mysterious tent at the annual Augury Carnival where the words Come Inside and Discover Your Fortune are persuasively written, 17-year-old Madeline Morgan and her best friend, Dara, come face to face with Madame Anca, an ominous fortune teller who portends the girls' futures. Madame Anca's enticing prediction leads Madeline on a dark and mystical journey that forces her to deal with the illusions of love and her own inner strength.

REVIEW:

First off, let me say that I love the cover of this book.  I think it's really pretty and I love the colors.  The jacket on this book really soft too.  :)

The story-line of the book was pretty good.  I liked the idea of it and I enjoyed reading it.  I had wanted to read it for quite a while and I finally got the chance to pull it off of my bookshelf.

I only had two real problems with Fading Into Magic.  First, it seemed like it went a little fast.  It felt rushed in a lot of places that I felt needed more time to really grow and become what they were intended to be.

Second, it seemed like the main character was too leniant when it came to her love interest in the book.  They would have an argument and to me, it seemed like she would agree or give up to easily.  She was too accepting, in my opinion, of the things that were being thrown at her.

Overall, it wasn't so bad if you could get passed those two problems.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

RATING:

3 MOONS.

NOT TOO BAD.

Review: Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

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Juliet Immortal  #1

Learn more about Juliet Immortal at staceyjay.com

This book was provided for free through Random Buzzers' Amuzzadors program.

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SUMMARY:

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

REVIEW:

I've been interested and curious about this book for quite some time.  I am a sucker for Romeo & Juliet.  I've always loved the story.  When I was little, I watched the Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes version so many times that my mother actually stopped letting me watch it.  I later bought the movie in my teens and still watch it today.  So it's safe to say that this hooked me in and I was dying to read it.  "The greatest love story ever told is a lie."  How could I not want to read it after that tagline?

I read the book really quickly.  In one day, actually.  It was very well written and the story was great.  It was a great and interesting twist to the love story we all know (or have at least heard of).  Stacey Jay had an awesome imagination.  The characters she created are dark and beautiful.  The story was hauntingly good and left me wanting to seek out more fiction based on Shakespeare's characters.  

Definitely a book I would read again.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

Juliet, Romeo, and Ben.

RATING:

4 MOONS.

REALLY GOOD.

Review: Soul Protector by Amanda Cowley

Soul Protector #1

Learn more about Soul Protector at amandaleighcowley.blogspot.com

This book was provided for free by the author for review.

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SUMMARY:

After being dragged on a night out to celebrate a friend's birthday, Gracie discovers a unique talent. Doubting her sanity, she keeps it to herself while she tries to make sense of it, but unaware of her visible aura, she gets abducted by Dan; a handsome monitor. Once he establishes Gracie didn't know what she was doing, he helps her to recover before introducing her to the world of the Soul Protector. 

Finally understanding the rules of being a Soul Protector, Gracie finds the courage needed to embrace her special gift. But she is unaware a secret from the past is waiting to catch up with her; one that will shock her to the core.

REVIEW:

I received a request to read Soul Protector quite a while back, but with moving and a whole bunch of confusion, I never got to read and review it.  I was eager to finally get into it and once I started, I was really into it.

The further I got into it, however, I honestly was losing interest in it.  I hate to admit it but I even skipped pages, which I rarely do.  To me, it just seemed like the book went too fast.  There was a lot going on, which at times seemed to take away from the actual story-line.  I just couldn't really get into it and there was too much happening for my liking.

Another thing, I'm not sure if I was reading an ARC or a finished copy.  I thought it was and ARC, but at the end, there was a message thanking readers for buying the book.  If it was a finished copy, there were a lot of mistakes.  This  book was just not for me.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

RATING:

2 MOONS.

JUST NOT FOR ME.

Giveaway: Soul Protector by Amanda Cowley (INT)

THE PRIZE

One winner will receive a digital copy of Soul Protector by Amanda Cowley.

SUMMARY:

After being dragged on a night out to celebrate a friend's birthday, Gracie discovers a unique talent. Doubting her sanity, she keeps it to herself while she tries to make sense of it, but unaware of her visible aura, she gets abducted by Dan; a handsome monitor. Once he establishes Gracie didn't know what she was doing, he helps her to recover before introducing her to the world of the Soul Protector. 

Finally understanding the rules of being a Soul Protector, Gracie finds the courage needed to embrace her special gift. But she is unaware a secret from the past is waiting to catch up with her; one that will shock her to the core.

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Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium #2

Learn more about Pandemonium at laurenoliverbooks.com

I bought this book with my own money.

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SUMMARY:

I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare, 

pushing aside thoughts of Alex, 

pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school, 

push, 

push, 

push, 

like Raven taught me to do.

The old life is dead.

But the old Lena is dead too.

I buried her.

I left her beyond a fence,

behind a wall of smoke and flame.

REVIEW:

“Oh my God!”  This was the only thing I could think when I read the last page of this book.  Anyone that has already read it knows exactly what I’m freaking out about.  Oh my God!  Lauren Oliver, you’re killing me here!  I need to know what happens now!  I can’t wait for Requiem!

Okay, all the freaking aside, (I’m still freaking), this book was really good.  It was written in a different way than Delirium, set up differently.  This book seemed like something completely different than the last book.  Things that I didn’t think could happen happened and I was surprised at all the new and interesting things we learn about and experience in these chapters.  It’s full of heart breaking characters and crazy plot twists.  The only thing I could say I would have preferred to be different is that this book could have easily been split into two separate novels.  Overall though, amazing.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

Lena and Julian.

RATING:

5 MOONS.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium #1

Learn more about Delirium at laurenoliverbooks.com

I bought this book with my own money.

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SUMMARY:

Ninety-five days, and then I’ll be safe.

I wonder whether the procedure will hurt.

I want to get it over with.

It’s hard to be patient.

It’s hard not to be afraid while I’m still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn’t touched me yet.

Still, I worry.

They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness.

The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don’t.

REVIEW:

This book is just beautiful.  The cover, the words, the characters, all of it beautiful.  It’s funny that in the world Lauren Oliver has created, love is a disease, something to be cured, and dyeat, love is exactly what I felt for Delirium.  I absolutely loved it.


This is one of those stories that you don’t read everyday.  It was something new and exciting.  Every word in this has you hanging, dying to continue and find out what will come next.


It was hard to imagine the world that Lena, Alex, and Hana live in.  A world without love.  It makes you realize how much it inhabits your life everyday and what it would be like without it.


And that ending!  Lauren Oliver, how dare you!


I really cannot wait to sink into Pandemonium.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

Alex, Lena, Hana, and Grace.

RATING:

5 MOONS.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

Review: Perfect Strangers by Rebecca Sinclair

Learn more about Perfect Strangers at rebeccasinclair.com

This book was provided for free by the publisher for review.

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SUMMARY:

Gabrielle Carelton is one of Queen Elizabeth's most devoted ladies-in-waiting. But her loyalty is put to the test when Her Majesty commands her to marry Scotsman Collin Douglas. When Gabrielle is kidnapped by Collin's twin brother, not even Good Queen Bess can save her. Dubbed the Black Douglas, devilishly handsome Connor is known throughout the land for his magnificent feats of strength and cunning. But now he is in need of an heir. An English bride will bring peace to the warring nations and give him the son he craves. What he doesn't expect is a woman as passionate as she is proud and a desire that knows no boundaries. Set against the pageantry and savage splendor of 16th-century England and Scotland, here is the story of a man and a woman who begin as enemies and strangers and find a love that will triumph against all odds.

REVIEW:

So, I've tried to read this book twice now.  As much as I hate to admit it, I just can't get into it.  It's very well written and I like the characters, but for osme reason, I just can't seem to get more than a couple chapters in.

I hate this because I haven't read far enough for the book to even begin to kick off.  I feel like I'm not really giving it the chance that it properly deserves.

So in fairness, I've decided that in the future, I will come back to this book and give it another shot. Hopefully then I can get into it more.

Perfect Strangers, I apologize.  I promise to try and read you again someday.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

RATING:

1 MOON.

COULDN'T EVEN FINISH IT.

Review: Blood of Anteros by Georgia Cates

The Vampire Agape #1

Learn more about Blood of Anteros at georgiacates.com

This book was provided for free by the author for review.

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SUMMARY:

I was tantalized by the mystery of her. The leech inside me came out to find prey, but found none in this enigmatic girl. The close proximity of her essence didn’t entice the monster within, so what did that make her? I had more questions than answers, but one thing was unmistakable; although she released me from her embrace, her hold on me remained. 

Cruel circumstances turned Curry Brennan into the wretched monster he hates and refuses to accept, but when an expected turn of events releases him from the bond of his obsessive maker, he returns to the home he knew 161 years earlier and finds the return of happiness and joy in something he didn’t know existed. Puzzled by his growing attraction to Chansey Leclaire, a human, he is unable to resist the captivating relationship that threatens to reveal his existence as a vampire. He eventually discovers the reason he was destined to find what he didn’t know he searched for and is faced with the cruel realization that the living and the immortal undead will always be separated by one thing. Eternity.

REVIEW:

The Blood of Anteros was nothing like I though it was going to be.  The book was really great and I enjoyed it immensely.  I finished it as soon as I could and read every chance that I got.

A lot of vampire books seem to have the same storylines and even though this one still had elements we have read before, they were done in a really different way and were very well written and though out.  There's a mystical quality to it that I have never seen before.

I didn't realize that I was so close the end until I turned the last page and literally almost growled out loud in frustration.  I really want the second book.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

Chansey.

RATING:

4 MOONS.

REALLY GOOD.