Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

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Dreamland
Sarah Dessen 

Wake up, Caitlin

Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He's magnetic. He's compelling. He's dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else--her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?

Summary taken from Goodreads

Dreamland was very different from any of Dessen's novels that I have read so far. Dreamland dealt with a much more serious topic then the others, an abusive relationship. I thought it was handled very well. 

I think what made this book so intense for me is that I listened to it on audiobook instead of reading it. Since I don't have any personal experience with the topic, having it read aloud to me gave me serious chills a multiple occasion. It made it so much easier to really get inside Caitlin's head. There were quite a few times I had to turn on some very happy music to keep myself from slipping into a deep depression. Which if that isn't proof of a great novel, I don't know what is!

Caitlin life is completely alter on her birthday, when her sister leaves without a word. Her family now has a hole that Caitlin feels she needs to fill. But she doesn't feel like she can ever live up to her. When she meets Rogerson, she feels like he's the first person to ever really see her, not just a shadow of her sister. And because of that, she lets her whole life spiral so far out of control

Rogerson was a great bad character. At first, I felt so bad for him! He had some very serious family issues that he didn't know how to deal with. And when he met Caitlin, he thought that she was going to save him. He put her on a pedestal. And when, in his eyes, she let him down for the first time, he couldn't handle it. He completely snapped. It was a horrifically sad story that will stay with me for a long time.

Dessen has quickly become a new favorite author. It makes me sad that I wanted so long to read her books!

Quotes I Liked: may contain spoilers

"If you didn't love him, this would have never happened. But you did. And accepting that love and everything that followed it is part of letting it go."
  
"I had this wild thought that he was the only one in all this chaos who was just like me, and that was comforting and profound all at once/"

"I took his wildness from him and tried to fold into myself, filling up the empty spaces all those second place finishes left behind."



Have you read this? What did you think?

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.

 Summary taken from Goodreads


Unfortunately,  this was my least favorite book in the series. But that doesn't mean I didn't like it. It just wasn't what I wanted or what I expected. I felt like everyone kept doing things that were out of character. 

I spent almost the entire book being so furious with Jeremiah. Which definitely had never happened before. I really liked Jeremiah and Belly together, but they just kept making terrible mistakes that didn't make any sense to me.

Honestly, Conrad was all that kept me reading. He is just... so broken and messed up and I just want to fix him! 

All in all, I was happy with the ending, but the rest of the book was lacking. 

And now for something new here! I'm going to try to start writing down certain quotes I liked from books. These might be a little spoilerish so read at your own risk!

"It's not all the sudden," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "It's always."

"When did you know you were in love?"
I didn't have an answer to that question. There hadn't been one specific moment. It was like gradually waking up. You go from being asleep to the space between dreaming and awake then into consciousness. It's a slow process, but when you're awake, there's no mistaking it. 
There was no mistaking it was love.


So, for those of you who've read it, who did you want Belly to end up with?

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!

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?

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.
When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect. 

First, I have to say, look at that gorgeous cover! Just look at it! I was instantly drawn in by it and had to pick it up. So pretty!!! And the story was even better! Loved it! It was exactly what I wanted it to be. A cute love story, an intriguing mystery, and a kind of magic I rarely read about. Now I think I'm hooked! 


Donna was injured when she was young by a terrifying fairy beast. Without the Maker, she would have lost her hands. But he used alchemy and iron to restore them. I was hooked right away.

The Order of the Dragon was so fasctinating! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book to learn more about them. Alchemy isn't something I've read much about, but this book made me want to look more into and pick up more books with it in it. There wasn't a ton in this book, so I'm hoping the Wood Queen brings more!

Navin was probably my favorite character. He was such a loyal friend who stuck by Donna no matter what, even when she got kicked out of school. Most people will never know how amazing it is to find someone like that. Even when she had to tell him the truth about her, it didn't make him love her any less. He was amazing. Which was why I was so mad when he got kidnapped! Argh! Leave the super awesome best friend alone!

Xan was a great love interest. He was sweet and really cared about Donna. They shared something that no one else could come close to relating to. And he was hot! Like seriously steamy. I liked watching their romance unfold.

Donna was the only character I couldn't really connect with. I didn't hate her, but I didn't love her either. I don't know what it was about her, but she just wasn't my favorite.

There were definitely more questions than answers with this book. Like what really happened to Donna. I can't wait to pick up Wood Queen and find out!

The Near Witch by Victioria Schwab

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget

Though the Near Witch starts off a little slow for my taste, once the story got rolling I really enjoyed it.

Lexi and her family live on the moor in a town called Near. This scenery was so beautiful and haunting. It was like the moor was alive and had a mind of it's own. If you just listened hard enough, it would tell you all it's secrets. But as Lexi's father always told her, the wind is lonely and always looking for company. I loved everything about the moor. I wanted to explore it and learn about it with Lexi. I wanted to get lost in it.

All the stories Lexi's father told her were beautifully written. There was a lot but I couldn't help wanting to hear more. Even though the father is dead the whole book, I felt like I knew him. It was clear he was a great man and father. I liked him the most, even though all we hear are stories about him.

The magic in this story was wonderful. It was 'old' magic, controlling elements instead of casting spells. I wish we saw more of this type in YA books.

Lexi was fierce and very protective. She was a great main character. She loved her family and her town and did everything she could to protect them. I admired that.

Cole kind of bothered me at first. I think it had something to do with how mysterious him was. It seemed a little unnatural and forced. But when he started to open up more, I really liked him.

The Near Witch is a hauntingly beautiful story that is well worth checking out. The writing has a very lyrical quality to it and I can't wait to see what Schwab comes out with next!

Have you guys read this? What did you think? 

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

Summary taken from Goodreads

I loved this story. It was a super unique idea and I don't think anyone but McMann could have played it off. Her writing style is fantastic. She has such a lyrical style that flows so beautifully. The imaginary is so vivid. I think she could an idea that could have been laughable by other authors and turned it into something great.

Kendall was a unique main character, to say the least. She has extreme OCD that effected every area of her life. And she just accepted it as part of herself and was coping with it. I've had no personal experience with OCD but it sounds terrible. Kendall was an extremely strong person for living with it like she was.  

I wish we could have seen more of her and her best friend slash boyfriend's relationship. It was clear he was wonderful to her and they loved each other very much. It sucked that he went missing so quickly before we could really get to know him. Kendall's reaction when he went missing broke my heart so much. I couldn't imagine losing my best friend, but not knowing if he was alive or dead?  That would be a million times worse.


Her and Jacian's relationship was so wonderful. You could tell it was hard for Kendall to let him in, but she was trying so hard. I thought it was so cute and genuine. Jacian was kind of a jerk when he first entered, but once he let his guard down I couldn't get enough of him.

I can't really say much about the missing kids or the desk, because it's all too spoilery. But I will tell you I've never read anything like it. I loved how it all came together. All in all, what a wonderful book! 

Away by Terri Hall

After crossing the Line, Rachel finds herself in a world where survival is never guaranteed - a world where bizarre creatures roam the woods and people have strange abilities. Everything has gone to ruin Away and the survivors have banded into warring clans. Rachel finds her father being held prisoner by a tribe of Others, and she and her new friends set out to rescue him. But when they cross back over the Line, Rachel and Pathik make a foolish decision, bringing them into further danger that can only be resolved with an unthinkable sacrifice.

An adventure filled with life-and-death choices, dark conspiracies, and heart-poundingly suspenseful moments, this sequel delivers.

 

Summary taken from Goodreads.  

 

Away was a vast improvement over the Line. The pacing was much better. I think the Line just had too much back story, but once that was out of the way, Away was really able to shine. 

 

This book was one rescue mission after another, but somehow managed to not feel forced. the reunions in it were touching and heartfelt. The separations were painful and heart wrenching. I cried a few times for very different reasons.  There was a few bits that were a little repetitive (like the rescue mission and one line was actually repeated word for word). That was my only real complaint.

The government in this is just plain scary. The things they do to people, they just disappear off the street and no one even blinks. And can't forget what they did to the people in the Away. They abandoned them and now are stealing them to experiment on them. It's just terrifying. And totally plausible, which makes it that much more terrifying. 

Pathik and his family are my favorite. Their life in Away is so much different than anything we have ever known, and hopefully ever will.

I hope we haven't seen the last of this world. There's so much more to be had here!

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

Summary taken from Goodreads 


Tyger Tyger was a really interesting read. I had been in serious need of a good high fantasy novel and Tyger Tyger hit the spot. I've never read or heard much about Irish folklore so this was a completely new and refreshing take on goblins and faeries and the like. And it did a wonderful job.

Overall, this was a book about a girl trying to save her family. Yes there was romance in it, but it in no way overwhelmed the story. Teagan's main focus was always about saving her father and keeping her adorable little brother safe, not how hot Finn was. It was great to read an YA fantasy where romance was not the main theme. It had been awhile for me.

But don't get me wrong. I loved Finn. I kept wanting to shake these two and yell JUST KISS ALREADY. But like I said, I'm glad they kept the romance to a minimum. The adventure was much more exciting than their romance.

I had only one problem with this book. The names! I found myself flipping back and forth in the book, trying to keep all of them straight in my head. They were very Irish and a lot of them had a similar look about them. I'm sure Hamilton was just using accurate folk lore, but I still wish some of the names would have been different.

This was a great fantasy adventure novel and I cannot wait to read book two!

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!

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!

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?



I'm not even sure where to start. I finished this last night and I'm still kinda speechless.

Well if you've read the early books, you know that Rose and Dimitri are perfect for each other, tried to stay apart cause of the age thing, finally got together, then he was turned into a Strigoi. Really Richelle Mead? Ouch! That one hurt a little. But if you thought the last book made you sad, wait until you actually see Dimitri as a Strigoi. At various points in this book I was crying and practically yelling things like "HE'S NOT REALLY DIMITRI! KILL HIM ROSE!!" This entire book I was either incredibly sad and insanely angry.

When you read this book, there is going to be a long part where you are absolutely and completely pissed off at Rose. She loses herself for awhile and it was painful to read. I practically cheered when the old Rose came back.

While my heart does belong to Dimitri, I am starting to really, really like Adrian. He has his issues but he is really starting to grow on me. I hope Rose does give him a real shot like she promised. And on the other hand, I am starting to like Lissa less and less. I can't really put my finger on why. Maybe it's because she is in constant need of saving. I like a girl who can take care of herself.

I enjoy this series so much. As in, going to go buy the next one tomorrow. Cannot wait. And then there's Bloodlines soon! Yes!

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

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.

Dearly, Departed was the first steampunk I've ever read, and I loved it! I cannot wait to pick up another one.

Habel did an amazing job of blending Victorian England with new technology. I'm always skeptical about multiple point of view books but Habel did it so well. You never forgot whose head you were in because they were so unique and had a very clear voice of their own.

This whole story was unique and new to me. The zombies in this were something I've never heard of. Good zombies? Fighting for the army? I was hooked right away! And then there were the characters. Nora and Bram were amazing together. Usually I fall for the male interest, but I fell for them as a couple. They made each other better.

And while I did love them, the character who completely swept me off my feet was Pamela, Nora's best friend. Soon I was scrambling for the chapters from her point of view. Watching her grow into her own woman was my favorite part of the story.

Dearly, Departed comes out October 18 (the day before my 21st birthday. Woo!). Pick it up. Seriously!

Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens

From the acclaimed author of STILL MISSING comes a psychological thriller about one woman’s search into her past and the deadly truth she uncovers.

All her life, Sara Gallagher has wondered about her birth parents. As an adopted child with two sisters who were born naturally to her parents, Sara’s home life was not ideal. The question of why she was given up for adoption has always haunted her. Finally, she is ready to take steps and find closure.

But some questions are better left unanswered.

After months of research, Sara locates her birth mother—only to be met with horror and rejection. Then she discovers the devastating truth: her mother was the only victim ever to escape a killer who has been hunting women every summer for decades. But Sara soon realizes the only thing worse than finding out about her father is him finding out about her.

What if murder is in your blood?

Never Knowing is a complex and compelling portrayal of one woman’s quest to understand herself, her origins, and her family. That is, if she can survive…

Summary taken from Goodreads

Never Knowing was so beautifully written. At the end of all the chapters, there were phrases I reread four or five times because they were so insightful and mostly heartbreaking. Above all that was my favorite part of this book. Her writing drew me in so completely, I'd be reading for hours and it would feel like ten minutes.

Stevens' second book was another thriller that kept you guessing. Every time I thought I had it all figured it out, she turned me upside down and made me look like a fool. I was able to figure out a couple of things but had some very important details wrong.

The Campsite Killer was soooo creepy. Through his relationship with Sara, I went further into a murder's head then I ever wanted to. There was some parts I even felt sorry for him, but then he would remind me of just how horrible he was and I felt sick for feeling like that. That was something I got to experience right along with Sara.

But here is where we get to my complaint. Other than the brief moments I described above, I had a hard time connecting with the main character. Sometimes it was hard to feel sympathy for her when she kept saying one thing then doing another, especially when it put those around her in danger and disregarded any one's feelings but her own.

It's very possible I wouldn't have felt this way if it hadn't been for Stevens first book, Still Missing. That book made the bar for this one incredibly high. In her first book, you went through every horrible thing that happened right beside the main character. You hurt so badly you thought you'd break, you cried with her, then you got to experiencing the healing, the sliver of hope. In Never Knowing though, the worst things happened around Sara instead of to her. I connected more with her birth mom and Evan then her.

Don't get me wrong though. The good far outweighs the bad. If you haven't checked out Still Missing, oh my lord do it right now. And make sure to catch this one when it releases in July. I will definitely be on the lookout for even more books by the author. And you should too!

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father a laudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.
The Order - the mysterious group her mother was once part of - is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.

Summary from Goodreads

The Sweet Far Thing was a good conclusion to the Great and Terrible Beauty series. Libba Bray wrapped up the story nicely. Her writing style was beautiful and the detail she put into her research of this time period is evident. The descriptions made you feel like you were there.

I did have a few complaints though. Sometimes, the careless Gemma and the others used the magic really bothered me. Gemma would get flashes of how important it was to use the magic wisely, but then let her friends convince her of keeping it for their own, selfish use. It got repetitive after awhile and almost made me put down the book.

I'm glad I stuck with it though because Gemma's character really redeemed herself in the end. She came into who she was, and not just as a carrier of the magic of the realms but as a woman. She did the right thing, for herself and for the others.

The ending made this book a four star read for me. It was exciting, full of action, and heartbreaking. Yet it left you feeling hopeful.

And can I mention how much I love Kartick? His character was so well done. You could see how torn he was between what he wanted and what he thought was right. He was a great love interest.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a strong female main character. Though Gemma didn't always make the right decisions, she learned to accept herself and want she wanted and didn't make excuses for either. It was a great series I really enjoyed.

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Summary taken from Goodreads

Hawkins has me completely and totally hooked on these books. I love them.

Sophie is a great character. She's snarky, funny, and smart, even if she doesn't always makes the right decision. She has her flaws but tries to be better. I love that about her. She felt very real. When she hurt, I hurt. When she was confused and wasn't sure what was right, so was I. I devoured this book in one day because I couldn't stand not knowing how it worked out. All of the characters were three dimensional and I felt like I knew them.

The plot in this one took a darker turn then Hex Hall. Sophie is still dealing with the consequences of her actions in the last book. One of the things I love about these books is that not everything just works itself out with no consequences and sometimes bad things happen to good people. So often in YA books (Twilight, I'm looking at you), things just fix themselves and nothing bad ever happens to the main characters. Which is just not realistic and leaves you feeling cheated.

Anyways, back to the plot. The Eye has starting attacking more and more and are out for Sophie's blood. Her feelings for Archer haven't changed even though he turned out to be one of the bad guys. Neither had mine. I still want them together so badly! But I'm very intrigued by the love triangle that Hawkins started setting up in this book. I love me a good love triangle.

The ending was a tad bit abrupt, but it left you wanting more in a good way.

Four stars for this one.

Sooooo.... When does the next one come out again?!