Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Top Ten Tuesdays! Top Ten Books I Wanna Reread (2)

Top Ten Tuesdays is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
This is more gonna be top ten series I wanna reread. I don't have many stand alones books that need rereading but I have plenty of series.


1. Harry Potter series!
I don't think I could ever tire of these. I hope to make them an every year reread, but with all the great new stuff it's been hard this year.

2. Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamliton.
There is 20 books in this series so I highly doubt I'll get a chance to any time soon, but she is my favorite adult author and I love both her series.

3. Aisling Grey series by Katie MacAlister
It seems most of these are gonna be adult books. Haha. But I love Katie's book. Aisling is such a hilarious main character

4. Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare.
I actually did reread City of Bones and have the audio of City of Ashes. I need a Jace fix!

5. Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
This book is wonderful. Like I don't even have the words to describe it. I would never even attempt to review it because I wouldn't be able to do it justice. I'll have to do a reread before the movie comes out!

6.  Modern Faerie Tale series by Holly Black
Holly Black's are just so good. I loved this series so much. I picked the first one up without knowing anything about it and flew through the series in no time.

7. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
I just finished reading Coraline by him and it made me remember how much I love him. I need to read quite a few of his other ones but this is my favorite so far. I'd love to relive this world all over again.

8. Amy and Rodger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
I fell head over heels for this book. I think rereading this is going to be the only way I make it until next year when her new book, Second Chance Summer, comes out.

9. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Do I even need to explain this one?
Peeta. 'Nuff said.

10. The Hollows series by Kim Harrison
I love Kim Harrison's adult series. Her Young Adult is good as well. But I fell in love with Rachel, Ivy, Jinks, and, most of all, Kisten. I need to reread these! 




What's on your Top Ten this Week?

Sunday, September 25, 2011

In My Mailbox No. 5

In My Mailbox is hosted Kristy over at the Story Siren.


Friday, September 23, 2011

Winner of Dearly, Departed!

And the winner is:


A Journey in Reading!

Congrats! An email is on it's way!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Abandon By Meg Cabot

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away... especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld
.


Summary taken from Goodreads


One of the main benefits so far of writing this blog for me has been just sitting down and really thinking about why I liked or didn't like a book. It's really helped me figured out my taste in books in even greater detail.

For instance, Abandon taught me that I'm not a big fan of books that spend the majority of the time telling stories through flashbacks, like this one did. A few well placed flashbacks? Love it. Most of the story being past tense? Not so much. I have a harder time connecting to the story if most of it already happened. As soon as Abandon came back and stayed in the present, I devoured it. But most of the book lagged for me. 


My only other complaint is I'm a little worried about how the romance between John and Pierce is going to play out. So far, John is just a little too controlling, 'it's for your own good' type for me. 

This book made me wanna go and find my old copy of Greek myths I know I've got around my apartment somewhere. Cabot did a great job of making the story her own, but still kept enough of the originally mythology to make you interested in that as well. I loved the author's note at the end that told us even more about the other myths and real life facts she included in the book. 

The ending saved Abandon for me. I won't say much, but that was definitely a twist I did not see coming.

Abandon ended up being a three star read for me. I will be on the look out for book two, Underworld, which should come out sometime next year.

Oh and I have a question for you guys:
What's your favorite Meg Cabot book? I wanna try another by her and wanna hear your suggestions!  

Monday, September 19, 2011

The Line by Terri Hall

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the United States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It's said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.

Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel's dad died in the last war. It's a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.

Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?


Summary from Goodreads


I've been struggling with this review for awhile now and I've finally figured out why. While I did like The Line, not much really happened. It felt like one long back story. Like we were in one of Rachel's history lessons learning all about the world this was set in and how the Line came to be. It was interesting, but I felt it needed more action. It seemed to me that the author probably could have combined The Line and Away into one book and it would have worked better (though I haven't read Away yet so I don't know for sure).

The Line got me interested enough to read Away but that's it really. Nothing really stuck with me or made me love it. It was just okay. 


Only 2.5 stars to this one. I really hope Away carries a bit more kick to it. 

 Let me know if you felt the same way if you've read this. I'm really curious to see if it was just me...

Sunday, September 18, 2011

In My Mailbox (4)

Hosted by The Story Siren
So I'm sick and tired and really don't wanna link up the books this time. Sorry guys! I'll be back on my game next week I promise.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

100 YA Books List.

This is an unofficial list that has been circling around the blogosphere lately that I thought I'd take part in. I stole this from The Book Cellar.


Bold  = I've read it
Italic = I own it but haven't read it

1. Alex Finn – Beastly
2. Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
3. Ally Carter – Gallagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)
4. Ally Condie – Matched
5. Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
6. Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
7. Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
8. Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4)
9. Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)
10. Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
11. Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)
12. Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2)
13. Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
14. Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
15. Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)
16. Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
17. Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3)
18. Christopher Paolini - Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)
19. Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)
20. Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2)
21. Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3)
22. Ellen Hopkins – Impulse
23. Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
24. Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
25. Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)
26. Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere
27. Gail Carson Levine – Fairest
28. Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3)
29. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
30. James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2)
31. James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
32. Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
33. Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4)
34. Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
35. John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
36. John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
37. John Green – Looking for Alaska
38. John Green – Paper Towns
39. Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)
40. Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)
41. Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)
42. Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2)

43. Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)
44. Lemony Snicket - Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) I read these book when I was like 8 or 9 and they lost my interest as I started to get older. I probably will never finish this series.
45. Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)
46. Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)
47. Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
48. M.T. Anderson – Feed
49. Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1, 2, 3) Finishing up book three right now
50. Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
51. Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)
52. Markus Zusak - The Book Thief
53. Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
54. Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
55. Mary Ting – Crossroads
56. Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)
57. Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)
58. Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
59. Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
60. Meg Rosoff – How I live now
61. Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
62. Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)
63. Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road
64. Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
65. Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
66. Michael Grant – Gone (1, 2, 3, 4) -.
67. Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
68. Neal Shusterman – Unwind
69. Neil Gaiman – Coraline
70. Neil Gaiman – Stardust
71. Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
72. P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 )
73. Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)
74. Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
75. Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
76. Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
77. Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
78. Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere carnal over 40 winks
79. S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)
80. Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
81. Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
82. Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key
83. Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
84. Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
85. Scott Westerfeld - Leviathan (1, 2)
86. Scott Westerfeld - Uglies (1, 2, 3)
87. Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
88. Shannon Hale – Princess Academy
89. Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern
90. Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
91. Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)
92. Stephanie Meyer – The Host
93. Stephanie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)

94. Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
95. Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3)
96. Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)
97. Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
98. Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)
99. Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3) I've only read the first 2
100. Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped 

Wow this list just made me realize how many series I've started to read but haven't finished....
So what have you read on the list?

Friday, September 16, 2011

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin. When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their Badlands town. Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal.

Summary taken from Goodreads




I've never been to the badlands in Wyoming, but after reading this, it sure feels like I have. The setting in this book was rich and gave you more than a clear picture. It was like you could feel the wildwinds blowing on you. It was by far my favorite part.

Hubbard's writing was also beautifully done. She definitely knows how to turn a phrase, that's for sure. I found myself rereading quite a few different passages just because of how well they were written.


But even with the gorgeous, real as life setting and wonderful turns of phrase, I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. I've admired people before, but it doesn't come close to how badly Grace wanted to be exactly like Mandarin. Not even like her really, she just wanted to be Mandarin. And I couldn't even figure out why! Sure Mandarin was beautiful, but she was clearly damaged right from the start. I couldn't relate to the story or the characters.

I will be picking up Wanderlove by Hubbard for sure though. Her writing was enough for me to want to read more by her. Plus the premise of this one sounds more my style.

Sadly, this book only ended up being a two star read for me.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program--or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan--or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again


Summary from Goodreads 

Beauty Queens was completely and totally different from anything I've ever read before. And I loved every minute of it. Bray has a way of coming up with this crazy ideas and making every word believable.

This cliff notes about outrages products and the commercial breaks were my favorite! Some of them had me busting out laughing. My favorite by far was the Maxi-Pad Pets. Pads. In the shapes of animals. Bahahaha.

There was some pretty obvious social commentary in this book. But it was done in a fun and non-preaching way. And it was pretty spot on. This whole book was all about the GIRL POWER. And I ate it up!

Adina was definitely my favorite of the girls. She was the one from the get go who thought beauty pageants were outdated and degrading, which I agreed with. But it was so fun watching these girl's figure out who they really were. Honestly, I just loved this entire book.

I cannot wait for the next book by Bray. I will pick up anything she's written. Anything. 



Monday, September 12, 2011

The Reward Challenge Stage 1


The Reward Challenge is a consecutive reading challenge where your goal is to read one, two, three, etc. books from your reading pile and then rewarding yourself at every stage.












This is an awesome idea! It will really help me cut back on my TBR without adding more! And my first one is this:



Read The Summer I Turned Pretty on Sept. 2. Bought Heist Society on Sept 11.











Sunday, September 11, 2011

ARC Givaway! Dearly, Departed.


Love can never die.Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie? 
The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune, and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. 
But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.
In Dearly, Departed, steampunk meets romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

I was lucky enough to win this ARC from Goodreads. And I loved it so much that I decided I'd do the right thing and share the love! This is my first giveaway so I thought what better way then with a book I absolutely adored.

In order to enter, you must be a follower of this blog. Just leave a comment on this post with an email address for me to get in touch with you. For money reasons, this giveaway is only to US residents.

This giveaway ends Saturday, Sept 24.

And if you don't win, be sure to pick up Dearly, Departed October 18!

In My Mailbox (3)

As always, hosted by the Story Siren




Intoxicated by Books

Books Mentioned:

Changeling
Strife
Hunger
Shadow Hills
Dash And Lily's Book of Dares
Texas Gothic
The Vespertine
Clarity
Beautiful Darkness

Also, don't forget to check out my first giveaway!

Friday, September 9, 2011

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.


Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

Summary taken from Goodreads


The DUFF was a very cute and quick read. Though I wouldn't call it a fluff book. It dealt with a few hard issues and did it beautifully. I don't want to say too much about it cause it's a big part of the story. Just don't pick it up if you're looking for a fluff piece.

The DUFF also had a lot of language and sex, which I loved! Sometimes I think too many young adult books shy away from those, like they doesn't happen every day in high school. Which they totally do.

I really loved Bianca. I can see how some people could have a hard time connecting with her  but I just had so much in common with her so I had no problem falling in love with her story. I loved her snarky humor and pessimistic attitude.

The reason this story worked so well was Bianca's friends. The trio rounded each other out perfectly, which I think is the basis of all great friendships. Finding the qualities you lack in someone else.

And Wesley! He was such a lovable jerk. I could see exactly why Bianca chose him as her escape. By the end, I completely fell in love with him. Learning more about him and watching him grow was my favorite part of the story for sure. Plus... the dirty bits were hot!!

The only problem I had with this book was the ending. Things were a little too happily-ever-after for me. I thought a few things worked themselves out too easily. But it wasn't so bad that it ruined the book for me or anything like that.

I really enjoy Keplinger's debut. Can't wait to pick up Shut Out soon!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Top Ten Tuesdays: Sequels.

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish

Again this meme isn't something I know if I'll do all the time. But this time the top ten was the sequels you're excited for. And that is a super easy one for me! So here ya go, in no particular order:

1. Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

I loved, loved the first two in the series. I think I liked Demonglass even more than Hex Hall so I cannot wait to see what she does for her third one!


2. Endlessly by Kiersten White

Okay, okay. I know Supernaturally just came out and I have a long time to wait for this one, but I can't help it! I love her books so much!

3. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Both of her series are fabulous. So obviously, my next pick is:

4. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Okay this just making me realize how long I have to wait for some of these books...


5. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Thank God I only have to wait till the end of the month for this one. Anna and the French Kiss blew me away. I wasn't expecting to like it half as much as I did. Cannot wait!!

6. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

While I completely loved Graceling, I was a little on the fence with Fire. But the good far outweighed the bad. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Bitterblue.

7. Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

Ah! Gallagher Girls 5!! Yes! My life has seriously been lacking some Zach. 

8. Black Heart by Holly Black 

I love everything I've ever read by her. This books are no exception.

9. In Charm's Way by Madelyn Alt

This one is an adult* novel I cannot wait to get my hands on. I devoured this series like you wouldn't believe! So great.

and finally

10. Much Ado About Vampires by Katie MacAlister

Another adult novel. I love all her books. So so much. Though I miss Aisiling Grey novels aallloooottt, I do really enjoy her Dark Ones novels as well.

So lovelies, what sequels are you excited for?

* I always feel slightly dirty when I type that. Know what I'm saying?
 

Monday, September 5, 2011

The Summer I Turned Pretty By Jenny Han

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.


Summary taken from Goodreads




This book was fabulous. Few books ever take me back to being sixteen, and it be a good thing. Usually you just remember the crapiness that went along with that age. This made me remember all the good times. Being surround by friends, family, and all the things that went along with summer. Especially summer love. I loved every minute of it, which is probably why I stayed up till three am reading it. 


We find out pretty early that the boy's mother used to have breast cancer and I knew from that moment on this book was going to be harder for me to read than I originally thought, seeing as how my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last Christmas and had just finished undergoing radiation. This book just hit so close to home in so many ways. 


Belly was exactly like I remember being when I was sixteen. A little whiney, but just wanting to be included. Seeing her crushing on a boy she knew her whole life... Well let's just say I've been there too. 


All in all, I related so well to this book. It was the perfect end of summer read. And you can bet your butt I'll be continuing this series.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

In My Mailbox No. Two




Here is my second IMM. This meme is hosted by The Story Siren.


Books mentioned:
Misguided Angel
Like Mandarin
Abandon
Starcrossed
Beauty Queens
Chasing Alliecat
Extraordinary
The Line

Audiobooks mentioned:
Forever
City of Ashes
Wintergirls
The Book Thief
Coraline
Looking For Alaska

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.
But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.
So much for normal. 

Summary taken from Goodreads


The first thing that comes to mind about this series is: hilarious. Sure there's a lot of other things going on, but my favorite part is the humor. There was one part that stuck in my mind pretty well. Evie was thinking about something that was actually pretty serious. She related it to her love for cupcakes. The next line was just, "Mmm. Cupcakes." I busted out laughing.

Evie is such a great main character. Like I said, hilarious. But she's also headstrong, tough, makes mistakes, and a little broken. Which makes me love her even more. Watching her try to discover some of her past was so heartbreaking. This book is all about Evie trying to find a place to really call home, and I think that's something we can all relate to. I think Evie is one of the most real main characters I've read in awhile. The most human, even if she isn't, you know, technically human.

I wish that this book had more Lend. He starts college at the beginning so we don't see him as much as I would have liked. But if it was up to me, it would be all Lend, all the time.

Plot wise, I really like the direction this one took. Watching Evie battle with herself was really interesting. Being an Empty One sure isn't easy...

However, I wasn't as surprised but the ending in this one as I was with Paranormalcy. I figured a few things out ahead of times. But don't worry, White left me with plenty of questions for the next (and final *sad face*) book.

This was a four star read for me. Cannot wait for the next one!