Beautiful Creatures, Caster Chronicles, #1.

Beautiful Creatures

Kami Garcia

Margaret Stohl.

Publisher:Little Brown Books.

Publication Date:March31,2001.

Genre:YA Urban Fantasy|Romance.

Series:Caster Chronicles, #1.

Format|Pages:Ebook|390.

Source:Owned|Goodreads.

 

5 STARS

 

 

 



A good friend of mine told me about Beautiful Creatures for couple weeks, so I decided to check out. It was one of the books that I’m glad I checked out, one of the books that I wished I read sooner. I have almost no words to describe how much I loved this book. The moment that I started reading it, I didn’t want to put it down, till very end. After finishing the book, I wanted to pick up the 2nd book. There wasn’t a moment in this book, that didn’t keep your attention, kept you on edge of your seat. It filled with action, mystery and romance. I’m excited to see how the movie turns out. I will be reading the next books in the series.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.

We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.

At least, that's what I thought.

Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.

There was a curse.

There was a girl.

And in the end, there was a grave.

 

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

 

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

 

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything

  If my friend didn’t tell me about this book, I think the cover would draw me in first. Cover and the title. Beautiful Creatures, who wouldn’t be attracted by the title. The cover, it looked so mysterious, dark. Actually, I looked at the cover first and before reading the summary, I knew that it was going be about something dark, mysterious, powerful. Fact that trees are white and everything else is dark in the picture lets reader assume that it’s going lead somewhere dangerous. After reading the book, I know that the cover fits the story perfectly.

  I enjoyed that Beautiful Creatures was from Ethan’s point of view. I had noticed from reading paranormal books through years, most of them seem to be from girl’s point of view. Also fact that he was human too. As a reader, we got a view of what Ethan thought of everything. Of Lena, of Casters when he finally discovered what Lena was. By reading from Ethan’s point of view, I felt like I got to know him more, able to connect with him. I saw the way he changed through the book. What I liked about Ethan, that he didn’t treat Lena like an outcast like everyone else had, that he didn’t care what others thought of him when he was with her. Most of time, while reading the book, I actually had a feeling that I was right there, besides Ethan, going through everything that he was going through.

Lena & Ethan: Their relationship was different. What I found the most unique and fact that Ethan had cared about Lena even before meeting her but through dreams. Even if he didn’t know that it was Lena at first. Fact that Lena seemed to be annoyed by Ethan at first, and kept trying to keep him away from her, denying her feelings, it was more interesting to read. I found myself wondering when Lena will finally come to her senses. I thought that fact that two of them could communicate with their minds, was kind of unique. Of course I am curious how Ethan was able to do it, since he is human. But this way, the two of them could talk without anyone knowing what they were talking about. I was curious why there seemed something electric between two of them, anytime the two of them did something physical. I am curious to find out, if two of them will actually figure out, a chance for two of them to be together. I hope that they can, because I can tell that two of them love each other. I’m rooting for them to end up together.

  I disliked most of Gaitlin County. It seems like all of them wanted to gain up on Lena, and it seemed like practically everyone besides Ethan, Link and her uncle made up their mind, after one incident. It reminds of my high school, where people would judge before even getting to know the person. Who does that? I felt so bad for her. But Lena has guts, thought she pretty much went through hell, she didn’t let anyone drive her away, she kept on going. I knew that if I was in her situation, I would never be able to go back to school.

This book is totally worth checking out. I loved everything about it. The Action, drama, mystery and romance. I’m eager to see what happens with Lena, Ethan and even Link in Beautiful Darkness .

Delirium, Delirum, #1.

Delirium.

Lauren Oliver.

Publisher:HarperCollins.

Publication Date:February 1,2011.

Genre:YA Dystopian|Romance.

Series:Delirium,#1.

Format|Pages: Paperback|441.

Source:Owned|Goodreads.

4.7 STARS

 

 

 



I loved this book, the story, and the characters. I actually ended up loving the book more than I thought I would. Delirium started out bit slow for me and it took me few pages, till I could get into it. Once it picked up, I couldn’t put the book down; actually I didn’t want to put the book down. I felt like I needed to know, what would happen with Lena and Alex next, if they would make it. Each page, each chapter kept me on the edge of my seat. The ending made me eager, to see what happens next.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen.

 

Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

 

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Delirium is unlike any dystopian book that I read before. Through the past year, I have read quite few Dystopian books, but never anything like this. Love, a disease? That is unique. It was actually the summary that captured my attention, it totally captured my attention. I wanted to see what would happen. Right from start, I was actually curious how Lena would fall in love, with who and how it will affect about what she thinks about love. I was curious if she actually would make it, through her procedure.

 Lena & Alex: I loved their relationship, it was different. I loved the fact that it was forbidden/ secret relationship. To me, those are always the most interesting to read about. It’s those relationships that make the reader wonder: Will they make it? Will they get caught? Will something happen to them? Those were the questions that ran through my mind, anytime Lena sneaked out to go see Alex, lied to her aunt where she was, so she could see Alex. I felt afraid for them, that one of them would get caught, or both. I could tell that they loved each other, even before they said; just way they acted around each other. Way Alex protected Lena at the end, had her get away, so that she wouldn’t get caught too. That’s true love right there. That’s why I wasn’t too happy about the ending.

Lena & Hana : Even though they had their up and downs through the novel, I see myself having a best friend like Hana. She way loyal. Despite what happened between two of them, she was always there for her. Actually if it wasn’t for Hana, Lena wouldn’t even be able to see Alex. Even if she knew what Lena was doing, wasn’t quite right, she never said anything, she never betrayed her secret. She stood by her side, all the way, even the end. I’m kind of curious what is going happen with Hana, now that Lena left. Will she get in trouble, for covering for Lena? I am hoping not. Besides Lena, she was one of my favorites.

The end. Wow. I kind of had a feeling that something is going happen, when Alex told her, to run and to never look back, no matter what. I somehow had a feeling that he wouldn’t follow her. But killing him? What kind of ending is that? I am kind of curious how the 2nd book going work out, if he’s dead. I am just hoping that he’s not dead, just hurt. I am curious what is going to happen with Lena, since her escape. I will be checking the next book out.

Timeless, Transcend Time, #3.

Timeless.

Michelle Madow.

Publisher:Dreamscape Publishing.

Publication Date:November 20,2012.

Genre:YA Fantasy|Historical|Romance.

Series:Transcend Time, #3.

Format|Pages:EARC|230.

Source: Recieved ARC from author, for review.

5 STARS

 

 

 



Timeless was a great way to end the series. I was happy when I received ARC from Michelle Madow, for review. I don’t think I could wait till November 20, to read. I knew I was going to love the book, from moment that I read the summary. Time Travel, Magic, Love, Mystery. Everything that I love in the book. I was curious what was going happen after Chelsea posted that spell in Vengeance. How it affect Lizzie, their friendship. Out of entire Transcend Time series, Timeless was my favorite and it makes me sad that it’s over. I can’t wait to see what Michelle will write next, which I will be checking out moment it comes out.

 GOODREADS SUMMARY

IT'S A RACE AGAINST TIME.

In Remembrance, Lizzie and Drew changed the course of fate so they could be together.

In Vengeance, Chelsea set fate back on its original, deadly path.

 

Now, strange things keep happening to Lizzie. Things that are omens of darkness to come. A curse has doomed her to die an early death, just as she did in her past life. To make things worse, even if she can figure out who cast the curse, it's irreversible. There's only one option left for her to save herself. It's crazier than anything she's heard yet, and to do it, she'll need Drew and Chelsea's help. Because to make things right, they must go back to when it all began …

  I loved the cover. By looking at the cover, you can tell that the book is going be pretty intense, filled with some sort of mystery and of course, adventure. Dress which I have feeling is Lizzie in the cover, looks stunning, especially with the background. Lizzie’s face looks terrified and that fits the storyline pretty well. It gives reader a hint, which something big is going to happen, something scary. After reading the book, the cover fits the book perfectly, considering what happened to Lizzie in the book.


I loved the fact that most of the book took place in England, that always been the one place that I wanted to visit. What made it more interesting that how far they traveled, I always loved that time, there is always was something about that captured me about it. I think what most that captures me about it, is the clothing. Michelle did an amazing job describing the clothing and in general, the era. I actually felt like I was there, with Drew, Lizzie and Chelsea. It felt real. Michelle always finds a way, to bring her stories to life, for her readers.


  Timeless seemed to have more action, more mystery then the other 2 books. Each page kept me on the edge of my seat. I was eager to find out, if they could actually change the past. I was as surprised as Lizzie to find, that all of those past weren’t accidents but murder. I wanted to find who was trying to get rid of Lizzie and why. I was also curious that by working together, Chelsea, Drew and Lizzie would resolve their differences, if Lizzie and Chelsea actually get their friendship on way it used to be. I felt when they were trying to figure out mystery, like I was there along with them, trying to solve it as well.

Of course I loved Lizzie and Drew. I could tell even more in this book, how much they loved each other. Drew was always there besides her, anytime she felt scared, nervous. It made me smile. That’s why an ending to the series was perfect. Of course I feel sad that it’s over now, but I enjoyed the books. Michelle Madow has unique talent and I’m eager to see what she creates next.

Starcrossed, Starcrossed,#1.

Starcrossed.

Jospehine Angelini.

Publisher:Harper Teen.

Publication Date:May 31, 2011.

Genre:YA Greek Mythology|Romance.

Format|Pages:Hardcover|487.

Source:Library|Goodreads.

4.7 STARS

 

 

 

I have came across Starcrossed about year earlier while at bookstore but didn’t have a chance to read it, till now. After reading it, I wished that I have reader the book sooner. Greek Mythology, I remember how much I enjoyed learning about it when I was in high school, it had always fascinated me. I never read book about it though. I was glad that I was finally able to check it out. There was always something going on, some sort of mystery and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself enjoying it more than I thought I would. Starcrossed is worth checking out.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

 

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Cover is what drew me to the book, in beginning. When I saw it, I found myself curious so I picked it up. The girl in the cover looked so mysterious, at same time sad so I had feeling that this book will have some sort of mystery in it. I was right, since Helen discovered what she was in the book. I think her dress and way she standing, with the ocean in the background, gives beautiful scenery. It also makes the reader wonder, why she’s alone. It gives reader a hint that something going happen in the novel, something big. At least that’s the feeling that I got.

 Helen & Lucas: I wasn’t sure how to feel about the two of them in the beginning. Actually I was actually confused why they seemed to hate each other, and want to kill each other at first. I was pretty taken aback by Helen’s actions when she first saw Lucas. At same time I knew there was a reason behind her actions. I was eager to find out what it was. Also the fact that the entire family wanted to kill Helen too. That’s what I liked about Lucas and Helen’s relationship though, the fact that they didn’t fall in love with each other right from the moment they met. I found myself wondering if they actually make through rest school year, without killing each other. I could tell that after a while that two of them cared for one another. Way they acted around each other, way Lucas tried helping her with everything, once she discovered who she was, he always seemed there when she needed him. I love the idea of forbidden love too but at same time felt bad for both Helen and Lucas, I could tell they were falling for one another.


This book started little bit slow for me, it took me few pages to get into it. That was one of the reasons that I didn’t give it 5 stars. Despite that, there was always something going on in the book. I liked the fact that Helen actually knew that she was different, she just wasn’t sure how. I enjoyed as Helen tried to discover how, especially after way that she acted around Lucas on their first meeting, she knew that something was up. I enjoyed that there was the mystery added to the book, it made it even more interesting to read, to attempt to figure out what’s going to happen next.

  It was hard for me believe that this was her debut book, I was actually surprised to discover that. The writing was amazing. Despite being Fantasy, to me the story felt real and I felt like I could connect with characters, especially Helen & Lucas. I’m eager to see how the story will continue.

Catching Jordan,Hundred Oaks,#1.

Catching Jordan.

Miranda Kenneally.

Publisher:Sourcebooks Fire.

Publication Date:December 1,2011.

Genre:YA Romance|Humor|Sports.

Series:Hundred Oaks, #1.

Format|Pages:Paperback|281.

Source:Library|Goodreads.

4.5 STARS

 

 

 



Usually I don’t read sport related books. Only one that I had read was a memoir. For Fiction, Catching Jordan, was the first sport related novel that I read. I ended up loving it more than I thought I would. What actually captured my attention was a fact that a girl is quarterback; it made me curious how that was going work out, if team would be any different. But even though summary was interesting enough, I wasn’t sure how much I enjoy it. I’m glad that I decided to check it out. Even if there were few slow parts, the book kept my attention all way to the end. I will be checking the other books.

 

GOODREADS SUMMARY

  ONE OF THE BOYS

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

 

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Greeen moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

Girl Quarterback and captain of football team? It’s not something I read about, in the books. Usually when I read novels, the girls either cheerleaders or in some sort of dance team. But Football team? Never read a book like that, till now. Jordan Woods has courage, that’s for sure, because I would never join such tough sport like football, considering how badly you can get hurt out there. That’s what I loved about Jordan, even if she was aware of that, even of her father’s constant reminders, that didn’t stop Jordan. I loved how dedicated she was to the sport, how she knew that she had to do well, to get a football scholarship, and keeping all of her teammates in check.


Ty & Henry, I liked Ty at the beginning; I like the bond that him and Jordan seemed to have formed. However I found myself not liking that nearly much after two of them started dating, to me he seemed too controlling. I understand that he was bit shaken up after what happened to his parents, but that didn’t give him a right, to control her like that, including constantly calling her, asking her where she was, though I can understand why he did. But fact that he tried not only control her, but team as well, it just annoyed me. I was hoping that Jordan come to her senses and dump him. Henry, now he was an amazing friend right from start, he always listened to her, and supported her. Him being in love with Jordan, I did not see coming. In way I think Jordan moved too fast, she practically kissed her, moment she found he liked her, before she knew, I know for fact that she didn’t even think about him like that. To me, that seemed too extreme. Though, I though it did make it more realistic that two of them didn’t get together till end, and even had drift in their friendship a bit.


The cover is stunning; it was another thing that captured my attention. It sort of cover that will capture reader’s attention before they would even know what the book is about. It totally fits the book, the storyline, especially since the girl holding football helmet in her hand and they walking in football field, it seems very colorful.

If you like sports,romance, action be sure to pick up a copy.

By Starlight.

By Starlight.

Dorothy Garlock.

Publisher:Grand Central Publishing.

Publication Date:August 21,2012.

Genre:Romance|Adventure.

Format|Pages: Hardcover|384.

Source:Library|Goodreads.

4.7 STARS



By Starlight, was unlike any other book that I read before. I actually came across it accidently, while at the library. It was the cover that had actually captured my attention, and the title. So I read the summary and it looked interesting enough to me, so I checked it out. I was glad that I did. I was hooked right from the first page, I needed to know what was going to happen next, especially between Maddy & Jack. It wasn’t just filled with romance; it also had a lot of action, with bit of adventure and a mystery. Every page kept me on edge of my seat. By Starlight is worth checking out.


 

GOODREADS SUMMARY

In early 1930s Montana, in the small town of Colton, Maddy Aldridge struggles to make ends meet during the Great Depression. With her mother long dead, her stubborn younger sister fighting her at every turn, and her father's arthritis deteriorating so badly that she has to run the family store alone, her desperation grows by the day. Enter Jeffers Grimm with a proposition too great for her to turn down: open an illegal speakeasy in the mercantile's basement, defy Prohibition, and make enough money to make her worries disappear. But, unbeknownst to Maddy, Jeffers has made a deal with the mob to bring huge quantities of alcohol across the Canadian border and store it in the mercantile. He wants to get rich, regardless of who stands in his way.

 

Jack Rucker is an agent for the Bureau of Prohibition, the federal police force created for the difficult task of enforcing the new law. Years earlier, he'd been a boy living in Colton, loving a young Maddy Aldridge. Now, after hearing rumors of an operation, the Bureau wants him to go back and hide in plain sight. With a pain-in-the-rump partner breathing down his neck, what will Jack do when he finds out what Maddy is up to? Can he and Maddy rekindle the love they once knew? If Jeffers discovers Jack is a federal agent, to what ends will he go to silence him forever?

  I love that this book took time during 1930’s, during the depression time, I haven’t read book about that time yet but I remember learning about depression time, in high school. But after I read this book, I actually felt that I learned even more about it. I found myself actually imagining how hard it was for everyone, just by reading the book. I wanted to help those people, just way Maddy and her sister wanted to help them, but at same time I knew that I couldn’t help everyone. It made me sad that so many people would actually starve, and I realized how lucky we are now, to have food, a place to stay.

Maddy, I liked her from a start, she seemed like such strong character to me. To me, she seemed stronger then she was when she was a teenager when Jack first left. Taking care of her family’s business, while at same time taking care of her sick father. I saw why she did what she did with Jeffers. Of course I was also curious if she assumed or knew that at one point they would get caught. It was one of reasons she didn’t go running to Jack right away, into his arms when he first repapered. I wasn’t surprised that she slapped him, if I was in her situation, I would have done the same. I could that despite that; she still cared about him even if she tried denying it at first.

 Maddy & Jack, I knew from the first page when Jack was leaving, that they had real love. Of course I haven’t expected for Jack not comes back for so many years, I am kind of curious if he would ever come back, if it wasn’t for his job. I could see the chemistry between rights from day he came back, even before Maddy slapped Jack. Way the two of them were looking at one another; I knew that they still loved each other. Especially when Jack tried to protect Maddy when she ran into trouble, when they caught Jeffers in act, trying to smuggle Wine, from Canada. But all through book, I found myself afraid that Maddy would get arrested to, because she was involved in it, in way. Though she wasn’t aware of Jeffers other actions.

What I loved the most about this book, was fact that it wasn’t all romance, there was quite bit action, adventure with bit of mystery added to it. There wasn’t a single page that didn’t keep me wondering what’s going to happen next, how it will all end. The story felt real, like something that could actually happen. You won’t regret picking it up.

Such A Rush.

Such A Rush.

Jennifer Echols.

Publisher:MTV Books.

Publication Date:July 10,2012.

Genre:YA Contemporary|Romance.

Format|Pages:Hardcover|336.

Source:Library|Goodreads.

Challenge:Stand Alone.

5 STARS

 

 

 



Have you ever read a book, one that you knew from the first page that you going love? That you wished you read earlier? Such A Rush , was that book for me. Actually the moment that I read the summary of the book, I knew that I was going be a book that I was going to love. It has everything, adventure, romance and the story seems so realistic, I actually saw myself there, in the story. Such A Rush was one of my favorite’s books, of 2012. After this book, I’ll be checking out rest of Echol’s work, I can see why people love her, she hooks reader from start to the very end.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

  Heaven Beach, South Carolina, is anything but, if you live at the low-rent end of town. All her life, Leah Jones has been the grown-up in her family, while her mother moves from boyfriend to boyfriend, letting any available money slip out of her hands. At school, they may diss Leah as trash, but she’s the one who negotiates with the landlord when the rent’s not paid. At fourteen, she’s the one who gets a job at the nearby airstrip.

 

But there’s one way Leah can escape reality. Saving every penny she can, she begs quiet Mr. Hall, who runs an aerial banner-advertising business at the airstrip and also offers flight lessons, to take her up just once. Leaving the trailer park far beneath her and swooping out over the sea is a rush greater than anything she’s ever experienced, and when Mr. Hall offers to give her cut-rate flight lessons, she feels ready to touch the sky.

 

By the time she’s a high school senior, Leah has become a good enough pilot that Mr. Hall offers her a job flying a banner plane. It seems like a dream come true . . . but turns out to be just as fleeting as any dream. Mr. Hall dies suddenly, leaving everything he owned in the hands of his teenage sons: golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson. And they’re determined to keep the banner planes flying.

 

Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business—until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers—and the consequences could be deadly.

I loved that this book was about flying, I was always into travel sort of novels, they tended to capture my attention. This was this type of a book, and what I liked about it, was fact that it was unlike any other book that I read this past year. I felt like I learned more after reading the book, about flying, about banner flying. I had seen those around, through the years and I always wondered about them, how it’s done and how long it takes. I didn’t realize how much work was put into it and how dangerous it is. How hard it would be.


Leah, I loved the character right from start. I mostly enjoyed the character’s attitude through the book; I could see how she changed when the book progressed. Also fact how dedicated she was to flying, I could tell that it was important to her. At first, I didn’t think that she take it seriously, flying. Maybe because I felt like her reasons for flying, was to get away from her mother, and fact that she wanted to try it, I didn’t actually think that she would take it seriously. I was surprised how much dedication she put into flying, and soon I saw that it was her passion.


Leah and Grayson, there was so much chemistry, passion between the two of them. Honestly, I didn’t actually thought that two of them would get together, mostly the way that Grayson treated her at the beginning of the book, I thought maybe she would actually end up falling for Alec. After a while, as tension between the two of them grew, I saw how intense it was and I knew that at some point, they would give in. I enjoyed that they didn’t fall for each other from start, the tension that was between the two of them, made it more interesting to read. It also made the reader wonder, what would happen between two of them next? Would the two of them actually end up together?


This was an intense read. At same time, it was filled with a lot of action, especially when they were flying. I learned more about flying while reading this novel then I knew before picking it up. The descriptions, the details made me feel like I was there with Leah, including when she was flying. It’s a book worth checking out.