White Witch by Trish Milburn

Witchcraft Is Her Family’s Business.No One Quits The Family And Lives To Tell About It. “Jax” Pherson has power, enough power to know her future will end in service to the dark coven her father controls. Unless she can stay hidden in a small community in the mountains of North Carolina. She must find a way to live without magic and deny the darkness she feels welling up inside her—the same dark power that fuels the covens around the world. All she wants is a normal life. A boyfriend. Friends. Some place to belong, but all too soon Jax’s barely begun new life hangs in the balance when she discovers that the boy she’s attracted to is sworn to kill her kind. He’s a hunter with good reason to kill everything that goes bump in the night. Even the most fleeting use of her power is tantamount to signing her death warrant and will bring both hunter and coven down on her. But can she walk away when her friends are threatened by an old evil? Something created by the magic of witches? Jax’s only hope of survival is to convince the boy she loves to forget everything he’s ever been taught and help her find a way to fight the covens. To believe there is some good in her.

Summary taken from Goodreads.


White Witch was a fun, quick read. I didn't love it, but it kept my attention and was entertaining enough.


There was a bad case of insta-love in this one. Not just insta-love, but STARCROSSED insta-love. Keller and Jax see each other for the first time, and then they are in love. But she's a witch and he hunts the supernatural. Not really anything new there and the should-I-shouldn't-I got old pretty quick. 


That aside, I enjoyed the plot. Jax is a witch on the run from her coven because they're evil and they force everyone in the coven to do evil. She doesn't want that for herself, so she runs. Now if they find her, they'll kill her. Even though she's blood family. Kinda messed up huh? So now Jax is trying to blend in and live a normal life. She clashes with the 'queen bee', makes friends with the quirky outsider, and attracts the hottest, most unattainable guy in school. Again, not much for new ideas. 


I did like the quirky best friend and her Whedon obsession. As a lifelong Whedon fanatic, I loved all the Buffy and Firefly references. 


Overall, White With was a fast, enjoyable read, even if it's not terribly original. I'd say it's worth reading, but no need to run out and buy a copy THIS MINUTE. Probably more of a borrow book than a buy.


Have you read this? Let me know what you thought of it in comments!

Slipping Reality by Emily Beaver

In a time of hardship and heartbreak, sometimes, reality just isn't enough. Slipping Reality is the story of fourteen-year-old Katelyn Emerson, who, when faced with the glaring reality of her brother's illness, rebels against the truth by slipping away into the depths of her own imagination. There, she finds the kind of support and comfort she feels she deserves. There, she does not have to feel so alone. And yet, as Katelyn's grasp on reality begins to unravel, so too does the story of a girl who grew up too fast and fell apart too soon. Emily Beaver's debut novel is a coming of age story that deals with the trials of young grief, insight, and growth where it's least expected.

Summary taken from Goodreads


This is going to be a hard review. It feels almost cruel, writing a bad review for this book, knowing that it's semi-autobiographical. But... it just wasn't a good book. It was written by a grieving fourteen year old girl, and it shows.


In the author's note, it says that this book was written as a form of therapy, a way to help the author deal with the death of her brother. I understand that, and have even done a little bit of that myself. But I personally think maybe it should have stayed that way and not been published. The story wasn't plausible, the writing wasn't good, and the pacing was off.


Part of the reason I disliked it so much was everyone in Katelyn's life, besides her imaginary friends, were completely okay with the fact she was pulling away from everyone, including her dying brother. That rang so false to me. Her parents and her best friend would have never let her get away with it, not if they cared about her at all. Not being there when someone you love dies, it's one of the worst feelings there is. Katelyn wouldn't have been able to forgive herself that easily, and her family would have known that and tried to put a stop to it.

We also spent eighty-five percent of this book listening to Katelyn debate whether or not Tristen and Cedric were real. She would say that she didn't care anymore, then go right back to the real-not real questions. It would have been okay, but they just kept saying the same things over and over again. No new information was given. It also really creeped me out that Katelyn was romatically involved with a figment of her imagination.  And didn't think it was strange at all. Nope. Completely normal...


And finally, my biggest complaint. Katelyn kept talking about her amazing relationship with her brother Matthew. How her whole life was about him. And she spends the entire book ignoring him. We see him about five times the entire novel. It was sad he was dying, but I had no emotional attachment to him. I had no idea who he was, other than as a boy dying of cancer.


I wanted to like this book. I really did. Especially knowing that parts were taken from the author's real life. But Slipping Reality fell flat in too many ways for me to enjoy it.
 

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.

Out April 3.

Ahhh! I cannot wait for the third book in the Curse worker series! I just finally got around to finishing Red Glove and it is just the most amazing series. I love it more than her Tithe series! I cannnnnooootttt wait!


What are you waiting on?

Top Ten: Favorite Paranormal Young Adults Books

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week the topic is top ten X genre and I went for Paranormal Young Adults books. I went for more specific to try and narrow it down. Still. It's going to be a hard choice. But here we go!

1. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
I freaking love this series. Evie is so cute and spunky. And there are some really interesting paranormals in this series that I haven't seen before. I can't wait to see what happens in Endlessly.

2. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
This is such a fanastic series that I am still sad is over. I can't wait for more from her. I still haven't picked up Bloodlines but I will soon! I promise!

3. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Seriously, I cannot rave about this series enough. And I will not stop. They are amazing. As is my next pick.

4. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
I don't think there will ever be a top ten that these books won't be in for me. Unless there is a top ten worst books.
Clare is an amazing author. Shadowhunters in Victorian London. Yes please!

5. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
What a wonderful book. I was completely blown away. Ahh. This was such just so great. Please read it.

6. Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz
 I really want to read this series again. I fall in love with this in high school. They are so wonderful. Has anyone else read them?

7. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins
This book blown me away. The paranormal aspect took me by surprise but was totally awesome!


8. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Part paranormal, part historical fiction. It was great fun and quite sad. I couldn't read them fast enough!


9. White Cat by Holly Black
A con artist family with magical powers. Freaking sweet!

10. Wake by Lisa McMann 
This is such a wonderful series. Beautifully written and enticing. If you haven't read it, what are you waiting for??


 Alright, what is your top ten??

Daily Dose (8)

Hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly

The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards

Magic, Djinn, Ogres, and Sorcerers. Thirteen-year-old Zardi loves to hear stories about fantastical beings, long banned from the kingdom of Arribitha. But anyone caught whispering of their powers will feel the rage of the sultan—a terrifying usurper who, even with his eyes closed, can see all.

When her own beloved sister is captured by the evil ruler, Zardi knows that she must go to any lengths to rescue her. Along with her best friend, Ridhan—a silver-haired, violet-eyed boy of mysterious origins—and an unlikely crew of sailors led by the infamous Captain Sinbad, Zardi ventures forth into strange and wondrous territory with a seemingly impossible mission: to bring magic back to Arribitha and defeat the sultan once and for all.

Summary taken from Goodreads 

The Book of Wonders was a really fun read. I don't read middle grade novels very often, but I enjoy this one a lot!

Zardi's Arribitha seemed like such a sad place. It used to be a beautiful kingdom, filled with magic. But the evil sultan stomped all that out, killing anyone with the slightest magical ability. But still, Zardi couldn't help craving it, wanting to know as much as possible.

I hated the fact that Zardi's father worked for the sultan, even if he was just trying to keep some of his evil in check. But he was clearlu failing, because one night the sultan comes for Zardi's older sister and turns her into a Praisemaker, meaning that he would hunt and kill her. 

And that's where Zardi's adventure begins. She and her best friend, Ridhan, go off in search of a way to save her sister and destroy the sultan. And maybe find out more about where Ridhan comes from. The story is jammed packed with pirates, magic, genies, and non stop action. I loved every minute of it!

My favorite parts were probably the references to Aladdin. They made me smile and excited for the next book. I hope we get to see more of them.

Book of Wonders was a fabulous adventure story that I'm so glad I won, or else I probably would have missed out on it! Check this one out! I promise you won't be disappointed!   

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidentally poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.
Engrossing and suspenseful, All These Things I've Done is an utterly unique, unputdownable read that blends both the familiar and the fantastic. 

Summary taken from Goodreads

This book was really interesting. A world where caffeine and chocolate are illegal? No thank you! But it did make for a great read!

I read some complaints about how the coffee and chocolate affected people in this world. But it really didn't bother me at all. Haven't you ever had a caffeine high? Or a sugar rush? Imagine if you only had caffeine and chocolate once a month or even less? Wouldn't it taste better and hit you harder? Especially if you had too much at a time. It made perfect sense to me. Chocolate drunk sounds pretty good to me!

I loved reading about Anya's crime family. The dynamics between Anya and her extended family was so intriguing and different than anything I've read before. It was honorable that Anya was trying to keep her brother and sister far away from it, but family doesn't go away that easily. Not to mention everyone immediately judged her by her last name, assuming she was just like her father. I felt so bad for her!

But I felt worse for her brother and sister. It felt like they just couldn't win! Her brother was in the accident that killed their mother and was brain damaged because of it. It's an understatement that they deserved more than life gave them but they were trying to make the best of it. I loved both of them. 

Win... hmm. I liked him as a character, but I didn't really like the love story between him and Anya. It seemed like a mixture of insta-love and teenage rebellion, like they only got together because they knew they weren't supposed to. It wasn't enough for me. And the end really made me mad! Make up your mind already, geesh!

Anya was definitely my favorite though. She had a really hard life and had to grow up too fast. But she was dealing, and trying to protect her family. I admired that so much! I can't wait to see what she decides to do in the next book!

There was one plot twist I saw coming from miles away, and it bothered me that Anya couldn't see what was happening. It was right in front of her face! She kept almost fixing the situation, but then got distracted by something. And by something, I mean Win. Maybe that's why I didn't like them together...

All in all, a really interesting read and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Starters by Lissa Price

HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . 


The world that Price built was completely fascinating. A world where there are no adults. Just kids, called Starters, and very old people, called Enders. And by very old I mean 80 to 200 years old!! How their life span got expanded so much wasn't really explained, which bothered me a bit.


The Spore Wars started it all. There really wasn't much said about the war, not the who or the why. Just that someone released spores over America that killed everyone who came in contact with them.. There weren't enough vaccines for everyone so they started with children and the elderly. Now they're all that's left. I found myself the whole book wishing there was more information on the war.


Life is really hard for Starters that are unclaimed, meaning they have no grandparents or other family to take care of them. If they're are caught, they are taken away by the government and institutionalized. Callie and her brother have been on the run since their mother died and their father was taken away. But when Callie hears about Prime Destinations, she thinks she has found a way to keep them safe forever. 


From the get go, Prime Destinations creeped me the hell out! Actually her whole world did, but especially Prime. Having someone take over your body. And you have no idea what they did while they were in it! How gross is that?! 


Not that I blame Callie for taking a shot. When you don't know where your next meal is going to come from or where you'll be sleeping, you do anything you have to survive. 


The plot was amazing! Prime Destinations kept getting worse and worse. It was so much fun learning who the real bad guys were and who to trust with Callie. The twists kept coming. I didn't see any of them coming. Especially the big one towards the end! That one made me so mad I started tearing up a bit. So mean!


The ending was just okay for me though. Some parts were really good, but then there were some parts that were too far fetched for me and didn't seem to fit with the story. I'm definitely going to be checking out Enders though. I hope more about the war and Enders are explained! But I can't wait to see more of this world!

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Taylor’s family might not be the closest-knit – everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled – but for the most part, they get along fine. Then they get news that changes everything: Her father has pancreatic cancer, and it’s stage four – meaning that there is basically nothing to be done. Her parents decide that the family will spend his last months together at their old summerhouse in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is suddenly around, as is her first boyfriend. . . and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses, the Edwards become more of a family, and closer than they’ve ever been before. But all of them very aware that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance – with family, with friends, and with love.

Out May 8th.

I lovvvveeeedddd Morgon Matson's first book, Amy and Rodger's Epic Detour. And when I saw her second book was coming out this year, I lost it! I was so excited! I cannot wait to get this one! 

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesdays: Favorite Young Adult Covers of 2012

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Oooooh I am so excited to write this post. I am such a cover whore so this is going to be so much fun. I had to seriously narrow it down to favorite young adult covers of this year or else this post would have gone on for ever! Would have never been able to pick just ten! Here we go!

1. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Yay! A Jace and Clary cover! Soooo good! And super excited about this book!

2. Endlessly by Kiersten White
I think all of her covers are gorgeous. This one is my least favorite of the three, but is still awesome!

3. Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
Another beautiful cover! Ugh can't wait to read this book! It's going to be so awesome!!!

4. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
Look how hauntingly beautiful that is! Poor Anna! I wouldn't wanna be stuck there, but it does make for an awesome cover!

5. The Selection by Keira Cass
I really have a thing for covers with girls in dresses huh? This book sounds so good and I love the cover. The reflections of her in the glass is my favorite part.

6. The Wood Queen by Karen Mahoney
Now this isn't the main cover I've been seeing, but I like it so much better.  I think it fits in with the Iron Witch cover better.

7. The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen
Such a cute and playful cover. As soon as I saw this I knew I had to pick it up. Too adorable.

8. Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
I love the outline of wings on the wall behind her and the swirls around the cover.

9. Timepiece by Myra McEntire
Okay, I still haven't read Hourglass, but that doesn't stop this from being an amazing cover! I really need to get around to the first one soon!

10. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
I am in love with this cover and this idea. Can't wait to read this book!!!


Alright there are my favorites (so far at least). What are yours?

Daily Dose (7)

Hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

It all begins with a stupid question:

Are you a Global Vagabond?

No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry into this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story.

Summary taken from Goodreads

Wanderlove was a beautifully written story. The scenery was so vivid and amazing, I was ready to go out and buy a backpack and take off to a part of the world I'd never seen before. I was so envious of Bria the entire novel, which just goes to show how much I loved it!

Not only was the setting so real it was like you were there, but the story was very cute as well. Bria meets a couple of veteran backpackers who take her under their wind and help her escape what was bound to be a miserable vacation with the so called Global Vagabonds. She almost talked herself out of going, but the urge to see Central American the right way won out. Plus it didn't hurt that Rowen was a complete hottie! I would have done exactly the same!

Rowan was mysterious and totally sexy. He had a dark past but was trying so hard to overcome it and live a better life. That made him utterly irresistible to me. And he reads!! *swoon*

Rowan's sister, Starling, was an interesting character. She was really upbeat and fun to read about. And super protective of Rowan, like any good sister should be. I wish she would have been around more, but it made the scenes she was in even better. I'd love to have the kind of freedom she had, a job she loved and the means to travel. What else could a girl ask for?

Something else I loved were the drawings! There weren't many of them but they were very pretty and added a unique touch to this book. I thought it was an awesome idea!

My only complaint was Bria's relationship with her ex. It was clear from the start it was a terrible relationship but Bria couldn't see it. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen all the time. I know it does. It just got a little repetitive and made Bria seem weak. Still, the good farrrr out weighed the bad.

So. Who wants to go backpacking with me? Like. Right now?