Mini-Reviews: Angels and Demons Edition

Angels and Demons Edition: Fallen by Lauren Kate & Personal Demons by Lisa Derochers

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Author: Lauren Kate 
Publisher: Delacorte Press

Released: 12/8/2009
Pages: 452
Rating: 3 Stars!

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

 Summary Taken from Goodreads

My Mini-Review:
The reason it took me so long to write this review is because this book was just THERE for me. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't bad. I enjoyed the ride, and have picked up the other books, but I can't say its the best angel book I have ever read. What I enjoyed most about this book is the mystery about Luce and Daniel's background. I can't wait to see what more is revealed in Torment, and I heard Passion is very HOT!

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Author: Lisa Desrochers

Publisher: Tor Teen

Released: 09/14/2010

Pages: 365

Rating: 4 Stars!

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She has spent years keeping everyone at a distance—-even her closest friends—-and it seems as if her senior year is going to be more of the same . . . until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can’t seem to stay away from him.

What she doesn’t know is that Luc is on a mission. He’s been sent from Hell itself to claim Frannie’s soul. It should be easy—-all he has to do is get her to sin, and Luc is as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance. But he has to work fast, because if the infernals are after her, the celestials can’t be far behind. And sure enough, it’s not long before the angel Gabriel shows up, willing to do anything to keep Luc from getting what he came for. It isn’t long before they find themselves fighting for more than just Frannie’s soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay . . . for all of them.

 Summary Taken from Goodreads

My Mini-Review:
Like the Story Siren, I thought Frannie's choice between Heaven and Hell would be easy.... definitely NOT! When they say Luc is a demon, they aren't kidding. He's not the usual dangerous guy, trying to be good... he could give three shits -pardon my language- until he meets Frannie. And Frannie is seriously torn between the devilishly sexy bad boy and the gorgeous golden good guy. This was my first audio book and I really enjoyed hearing Luc and Frannie's voicing their thoughts. I fell hard for this book and I am really excited to read the second book. If you are looking for a hot, fast paced, fun read... this is your pick!

Book Review : A Need So Beautiful

Book: A Need So Beautiful
Author: Suzanne Young

Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Date Published: June 21, 2011
Pages: 252
Source: ARC Tour
Date Read: April 22, 2011

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

There have been others before who’ve felt the Need, but they’re gone—erased from the memories of everyone whose lives they had touched. It's as though they never existed. This is the fate that awaits Charlotte. But the last thing Charlotte wants to do is disappear, to be Forgotten. She wants to stay with her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend’s arms forever. She wishes she could just ignore the Need, but she can’t. And as everyone important in her life begins to slowly forget her, she has to decide if she’ll fight the Need in order to remain herself—no matter how dark the consequences.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

I am so so so so so happy I signed up for this book tour. I read the description and it seemed promising, but when I got this instead of Wolfsbane in the mail I was dissappointed. That didn't last long! In the midst of studying for finals I had the next morning, I took a break and picked up this book. I told myself one chapter and I'll go back to studying. One chapter became another and another and another until I was done with the book at 2AM. Needless to say the final didn't go that well, but the book was that good! I could not put it down.

This is not your typical angel story. First off the protagonist, our hero, Charlotte doesn't even know who are what she is. She has a best friend, a boyfriend she loves, and an adopted family that love her and she's supposed to give this up to save some strangers?! That's what I loved about her... for being an Angel, she sure was no angel.But despite her struggle to keep from being forgotten, the Need (this uncontrollable urge to help others) was quickly taking over her life.


The story develops and you -slowly - learn more about what Charlotte is and her Need. Every time Charlotte comes close to learning more about herself the Need kicks in. Suzanne knows how to tease the reader, leaving us with the Need to learn what lies ahead for Charlotte and will she truly be forgotten by those she loves most?

My favorite part of the story was Charlotte's boyfriend Harlin. Scruffy face CHECK motorcycle CHECK family issues CHECK... all the makings of a sweet bad boy you can't help but love and Charlotte did, at first sight. For once the love at first sight thing didn't bother me, the whole book is based on desires and urges you can't control and those you just want. Charlotte can't help but want Harlin and neither can I.

This story is tragic and haunting, and just so beautiful. With an interesting premise, well developed characters, and the primordial conflict of good vs evil, A Need So Beautiful can do now wrong. I seriously NEED to know what happens next ???

{I hope you liked all my puns, it was just too easy =P}

Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

None! It's not like anything I have read before!!

Memorable Quotes:

There is nothing worse then being forgotten. Like I never existed.

Review: Angelfire

Book: Angelfire (Book #1)
Author: Courtney Allison Moulton
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: 2/15/2011
Pages: 464
Source: Netgalley
Date Read: 3/3/2011

Summary:

This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action. When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul. A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle.

Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once. While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

Yani's Analysis:
This is probably the most surprising book I have loved so far this year. I got it from netgalley a while back and when I had just 5 days left to read I decided why not, I keep seeing good reviews for it online. Why wasn't I originally inclined to read it....

1. its an angel novel and other than unearthly those don't usually sit well with me
2. the cover didn't attract me --- I know I know don't judge a book by its cover, but seriously its hard not to
3. I sometimes get bored of action type books

I am sooo glad I decided to read this book. First of all Ellie is a bad ass chick and Will is her too hot sidekick and together they have been fighting reapers for CENTURIES! Its hot hot hot is all I can say... if all reaper fighters come with a sidekick like that, who wouldn't sign up.

Second, this book has a cool theme that I find super interesting. Its very much about evil: nature vs nuture. Are angels inherently good? Are reapers inherently evil? Why can't they choose? Can someone who is good do something evil? So many questions so many interesting quotes... like this one:

"I don't believe in absolute evil... or in absolute good. No one's perfectly one or the other."

So this makes the second angel book I actually liked. The difference between this one and Unearthly for me is that Unearthly is more about suspense and choices (fate), where Angelfire is more about destiny and timeless love, and obviously as I mentioned above good and evil. But at the root what made me like both so much was the strong female lead, both of which had extraordinary abilities yet where determined to lead normal lives. Maybe I am just tired of the guys in the story being the hero, when there are females like these that kick butt.

Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style:5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

Other Memorable Quotes:

" The brave may not live forever, but the cautious never live at all."

Coming Soon...

Well, recently Ramona Wray, Author Of Hex, A Witch And Angel Tale, send me a copy of her new book. And so, March 7 we’ll have an Interview with Ramona Wray, 3 Copies of Hex, A Witch And Angel Tale fore giveaway, and my review. So do NOT forget to check this blog March 7 to see the terms of the giveaway and everything else!

So I leave you guys with the Summary, Trailer, the First Chapter and a sneak peak review, Thank You guys for sticking around!

THE STORY

Like most girls at Rosemound High School, seventeen-year-old Lily Crane is acutely aware of Ryder Kingscott. Hands down the cutest guy in school, Ryder is cool, mysterious, and utterly untouchable... especially for Lily. For when she touches someone, Lily instantly learns all about their lives. And while such a skill might seem nifty, in truth it is wrecking Lily's life. So she is shocked when Ryder asks her out-and even more shocked to discover he has a rival. Lucian Bell is the gorgeous new kid who can't take his eyes off of Lily. Being pursued by two hotties should make a girl happy, but Lily is skeptical. The boys act as if they've met before, hating each other with a passion that could only be rooted in a dark, dangerous past. A past full of terrible secrets. The kind of secrets that could get a girl killed.

THE GIRL

A story of romance, mystery, and magic, Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale introduces Lily Crane, a distinctive new heroine, whose quest for the truth will keep readers rapt until the end.

THE PLACE

Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale takes place in the fictitious town of Rosemound, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, 35 miles south-west from Copper Harbor.

Trailer



First Chapter Here!


Sneak Peek...

A Little Bit Of My Review...
 

They always say to never judge a book by the cover… and, well, I’ll admit, I tend to ALWAYS check the cover first thing. So when I saw the cover of this book I though “Oh My Gosh! Ain’t that a cutie or what? Ain’t it make you want to poke at her cheeks ^^. So when I got a chance to get my hands on it, I said Bring it on! Expecting a cute bubbly fluffy, pink story…. I’m not gonna say “how wrong I was” ‘cause, yeah, it does have its bubbly but, Oh Boy I would have NEVER though that a Book with such cover could go as deep as it actually went. 

From unexpected twists and turns, breathtaking romance, full of passion, mysteries and magic, comments so hilarious I was crying!, and an adorable little black cat, Hex, A Witch And Angel Tale is the perfect fit for A Great Novel.

...To Be Continued...

Teaser Quotes:

I seriously think this was just Hilarious!

Before I knew it, My daily schedule had started to look a lot like this:

Monday: Woke up, though of Ryder; went to school, stared at Ryder; had lunch with J, gaped at Ryder; went to PE, brooded over Ryder's absence; went home, thought of Ryder; took a drive "accidentally" passing by Dave's Garage, spied on Ryder; came home, though of Ryder; had dinner, no appetite due to lack-of Ryder; went to bed, tossed and turned thinking about Ryder.
Tuesday: See above, with minor adjustments.
Wednesday: Ryder wasn't in school, my world collapsed
Thursday: Same as Monday and Tuesday
Friday: See above.
Saturday: Nightmarishly long, boring. Drove by Dave's Garage twice, hoping to see Ryder.
Sunday: See above, minus the drive-by. But, yay, tomorrow I'll see Ryder in school! God bless Mondays.

Review: Hush, Hush (Take Two)

Book: Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush #1)
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: 10/31/2009
Pages: 391
Source: Bought
Date Read: 2/13/2011

Summary:
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Yani's Analysis:
I am having a very hard time trying to review this book. Why might you ask? While there where things that I just loved about this book, there was so much more potential for it. My notes for this book review are much like the book itself: sporadic yet intriguing with bits of potential brilliance in few places. I wrote many snark comments while reading this book, but I won't be writing them here as they will give too much away. So lets try and start at the beginning...

Nora's biology teacher decides (in the middle of April no less) that they need a new seating chart. The hot new guy is her partner and even though he's been there all year, she still doesn't know his name... SERIOUSLY??? Also, her teacher's lesson plans are completely off the wall. The week's topic is sexual reproduction and the assignment, get to know your lab partner. REALLY??? Where are all these high schools with hot biology partners and lesson plans that include getting to know hot guys? All of this is a little is a little too unreal and although paranormal books are just that, I read somewhere -and completely agree- its up to the day to day activities description to center the books in a real place for the reader.

This book felt very Twilighty to me. Whereas in Twilight, Edward was a danger because of his nature, Patch has a very real dark side. Nora was/is in immediate danger and you can feel it in this book. It was dark, mysterious, suspenseful and yet oddly enough romantic. One moment your scared of Patch, the next you want to rip his clothes off. Fitzpatrick was trying to convey Nora's confusion in her writing, but for the most part she just left me confused.

I kept reading because I really wanted to know what happens, but I kept stopping and writing scathing notes about either Nora's idiocy or my frustration with the writing. I think once I let go of how odd and unreal the story was, I was able to enjoy it more. However, after finishing it I was like with a bitter aftertaste, the kind you get from drinking diet when all you want is the real thing. I know many people loved this book and I wish I could have been one of them, but as it is I am still unsure on whether I will pick up book two.

I don't usually add additional links to my reviews, but since I was so on the fence about this book, here are two other review examples...

Loved it: Jude
Hated it: Misty

The Twilight Argument...

yes Edward can be seen as a stalker
yes Bella might not be the strongest female in books
yes I still loved that book

It is one of my favorites since I first read it when I was 16... maybe if I read it now as an adult I would see all these things that people don't like twilight for. All I saw was passionate and deep love story. So maybe had Hush, Hush come when I was younger, I could appreciate it more. Which is why I have had a hard time rating this book... It was something I could have loved, but all I feel is annoyed.

I found this on goodreads and thought it was hilarious
Ratings:

Plot: 2/5
Writing Style: 2/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 3/5

Similar Titles:

Other Memorable Quotes:
About Humans...

"Your bodies are wild and undisciplined. One moment you're at the peak of joy. the next you're on the brink of despair."

so true

Review: Unearthly

Book: Unearthly (Book 1)
Author: Cynthia Hand
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: 1/4/2011
Pages: 435 pages

Source: Bought
Date Read: 2/10/11

Summary:

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

Yani's Analysis:
When I first heard about this book, I wasn't interested in it. I had read the inscription in the back of the book and it didn't appeal to me. Finding a boy in the woods? What? Then all these bloggers started coming out with these rave reviews. So I read it, and I just have to say this is how you do a paranormal book about angels.

I didn't really get into it until I was a couple of chapters in. In fact, I almost gave up on it -see discussion on DNF here- but I decided to keep reading it and I am glad I did.

What kept me really interested in the book was not the romance or the "will they won't they". I was actually really interested in the lore of the angel world. What is their purpose? What are Clara's mother's secrets? And so on and so on. This is the first time that the romance wasn't what kept me reading. Although, I did love the chemistry between the characters, this book was about so much more than that. It is mystical, magical, and marvelous... I like alliteration.

Is this one of my favorite books? No. Did it leave me wanting more? Heck Yes! Can't wait to see what comes next in Hallowed the official title of book two. A stunning debut by Cynthia Hand.  

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

Other Memorable Quotes:

"Sam: I always thought you were the most beautiful of all the Nephilim.
Meg: That's ironic because I always thought you were the ugliest of all the angels."