HereAfter,Hereafter, #1

HereAfter.
Tara Hudson.

Publisher:Harper Collins.

Publication Date:June 7, 2011.

Genre:YA Paranormal Romance|Mystery.
Series:Hereafter,#1

Format/Pages:Hardcover|404

Source:Library|Goodreads.

5 STARS

Tara Hudson’s debut novel, Hereafter was amazing, from the beginning to the end. It was filled with so much passion, mystery plus had a forbidden romance. This book was one of the best ghost stories out there and I read quite few. It captured me from the first chapter till the end. I actually didn’t want the book to end once I reached the end; I wanted to keep on reading it.

Amelia is a ghost who only knows bits pieces of how she died, she knows she drowned and she knows she jumped but doesn’t know how, she knows her age at death but not her birthdates or her last name. Amelia spends most of her time wandering around High Bridge and Cemetery where she ends up after reliving nightmares of her drowning. Everything changes when she saves a boy, Joshua from drowning.

It turns out that Joshua is the only one who can see her, and from the very first moment, there is attraction between the two of them, the attraction that can get complicated. Then she meets Eli, another ghost asks for her help but she refuses Joshua and Amelia start investigating, start trying to bring her memory back. The more they investigate the closer they becoming. Realizing how complicated their relationship can be especially when Amelia disappears after kissing Joshua. The two of them also try figure out how to get rid of Eli, who won’t leave them alone, at least not till he gets what he wants, Amelia.

I absolutely loved everything about this book. I loved Tara’s writing style, the characters, and the storyline. Writing from Amelia’s point of view fit the story. Reading it, I could actually imagine, feel the feelings that she was feeling, how alone she must felt in beginning, frighten. I was happy when she found Joshua. I knew from the moment she went to save him, that there was something between them. I loved the fact that she was ghost and he was human, yet they could still touch. I loved the feeling both of them felt whenever they touched one another, it was unusual. I loved their relationship though.

I can’t wait till Hudson’s next novel in series comes out. I want see what happens with Joshua & Amelia next. I also want see if Ruth will warm up to Amelia, I am kind of hoping she would. If you are into ghosts, paranormal, mystery, this is a must read for you. You won’t regret it. I see myself reading this book couple times.

Last Breath, Morganville Vampires, #11

Last Breath.
Rachel Caine

Publisher:NAL Hardcover.

Publication Date: November 1, 2011.
Genre: YA Fantasy|Romance|Horror.
Series:Morganville Vampires, #11.
Format|Pages:Hardcover|335.

Source:Library|Goodreads.

5 STARS

Last Breath, The Eleventh book in Morganville Vampires series, was amazing and favorite one out of all Morganville books so far.

Eve & Michael announced their plans to get married but most of Morganville, expect their friends are not happy about their arrangement. Everyone thinks, especially Vampires that human & vampires shouldn’t be married and try to put a stop to it. Meanwhile, Vampires start vanishing without a trace and everything around Morganville seems to be getting dangerous once again.

Then, Claire starts seeing a man who she thinks is a newcomer, expect nobody else seems to be seeing him but her. While that is going on, Amelie receives a message that causes her to come to decision, for all Vampires to leave Morganville, that it’s no longer safe. Claire and her friends know that there is something not right about that, there is something else going on that they aren’t telling them. So Claire and her friends, investigate, realizing how dangerous Morganville had become, that even sent Vampires running

.Last Breath is a book that everyone that into paranormal should read. This has been my favorite one, out of the entire series; it has so much more action. The moment that I picked the book up, I didn’t want put it down, if it wasn’t for school, homework, I wouldn’t. In this book you don’t only get point of view from Claire but Amelie, Shane, Eve & Michael even though it wasn’t much as Claire’s. I always liked Amelie and it was really interesting to read about what she was thinking, it showed more of her personality. I could tell that she cared about Oliver, maybe not as much as she cared for Sam but I could see he was important to her.

There was also a lot more emotional parts in this books, especially where Claire was ‘Killed’, I didn’t see that coming. I was curious why she was only one seeing that man but I did not imagine that he would actually kill her. That was sad, Poor Eve, Poor Shane. I almost cried when he sat in her room with the gun because Shane is one of my favorites. I actually thought he was going do it, but hoped that somehow Claire would be able to reach him, to stop him. I was so glad that she did. I loved the scenes between two of them, even though they were pretty sad. I was hoping that they figure out to bring her back soon, so they could be together.

This Book had much more action but it also was the most emotional and surprising book out of entire series. Half stuff I read in book, I did not see coming. Not about Claire, Shane. I love the end scene between Shane & Claire, I thought my favorite was in Bite Club I was wrong, this one was my favorite. I was wondering when Shane come to his senses and ask her. I did think the very end seemed but unfinished to me, but it made me want me for next book to come even faster, to see what happens next. Will Michael & Eve get married? What will happen with Morganville? I can’t wait till Black Dawn comes out. This was an amazing read. Rachel Caine has an amazing talent.

Bite Club, Morganville Vampires, #10.

Bite Club
Rachel Caine.

.

Publisher:NAL Hardcover.

Publication Date:May 3,2011

Genre:YA Paranormal Romance|Fantasy
Series:Morganville Vampires, #10

Format|Pages:Hardcover|340.

Source:Library|Goodreads.

5 STARS

"Bite Club", the 10th novel in Morganville Vampires starts with guys finding out about the new gym opening, which is Vampire owned. Shane gets excited when he learns that that gym also offers Martial Arts classes, while Michael doesn't think its such good idea. Shane loves the idea of fighting vampires, it something that he been wanted to do for a very long time, ever since his sister and mother's death. However the more time he spends there, the angrier he seems to get and not just with any vampires but even with Eve and his girlfriend, Claire. Shane ends up signing up for fight, in front of live audience when he's offered money and a way out, of Morganville. The Sudden change in Shane's attitude causes Claire and her friends to investigate what is going on.

I got say, out of all Morganville books that I have read so far; this is one of my favorites. I loved that this book was both from Claire & Shane's point of view. However, I could tell even from beginning that this book was mostly about Shane, I loved that because he's one of my favorite characters. I loved to see what he was thinking, especially when he was fighting. At times, I did pound some sense into him, especially when he started picking fights with his friends and Claire. When Shane & Claire had that big fight, I even got a little sad, for Claire, I could actually feel how she was feeling and they are my favorite couple in series as well.


I could tell through this book that Claire would do anything for Shane. Even thought Shane was an ass to Claire, most of the book, I knew that he loved her. Mostly because I knew he wasn't doing just for the money but for Claire, so that he could take her with him and get her out from Morganville, not like I couldn't blame. I was glad that Michael & Eve finally tied the knot, but I kind of knew that it was coming, eventually. The ending, I LOVED the ending, it was so sweet, and I loved that scene between Shane & Claire. I was actually happy when Claire gave up MIT for Shane, but I had feeling that she would have anyways. Out of all the endings through the series, this was my favorites. If you into paranormal, vampires, as well as action, I would recommend this book. Once you pick it up, you won't be available to put back down. I can't wait to read the next book in series.

Soul Surfer.

Soul Surfer.
Bethany Hamilton.

Publisher:MTV.

Publication Date:October 5, 2004

Genre:Memoir|Family|Sports.

Format|Pages:Paperback|222.

Source:Library|Goodreads.

5 STARS

I wanted to read Soul Surfer for a while, even since I heard that Bethany wrote a book about her experience. However I haven’t got a chance to, till summer 2011. From a moment I picked up the book, I didn’t want to put it down till I finished it.

“Soul Surfer” talks about experience Of Bethany Hamilton, A surfer till one day while she is in water; she gets attacked by Shark which causes her to lose an arm. However even after the attack, it’s about Bethany’s journey of getting back on board, to keep on going, with support of both her family and her friends.

This was one of most memorable books I have read. It takes courage to do what Bethany did, and write a book about it as well. I don’t think that I would be able to do what Bethany did, if something like that happened to me. I don’t think that I have as much courage as she did. The book was written with so much emotion, especially how she felt after she was attacked, while she was at the hospital. I could tell how hesitant she felt about getting back to surfing with one arm, the challenges she had overcome after she came home. I had a feeling that she might not got back to surfing if it wasn’t for her love of surfing and support of both her family and her friends.


I knew that if I was in her situation while shark attacked me, I would have panicked. I probably wouldn’t be able to swim back to shore, the way she did. I was actually surprised that the Shark didn’t come after her again, with all of that blood. This was very inspirational novel and I would recommend it for everyone, to read this novel. You won’t be disappointed.

Devoted, Elixir, #2.

Devoted.
Hilary Duff

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Publisher:Simon & Schuster.

Publication Date:October 11, 2011

Genre:YA Paranormal Romance.
Format|Pages:Hardcover|350

Source:Owned|Goodreads.

In Hilary Duff’s second novel, “Devoted”, Sage has been kidnapped and Clea is devastated, not knowing if he’s actually dead or alive. Clea feels as part of her is dead too, without Sage. Clea can’t even turn to her friend, Ben for support because anytime she even looks at him, she sees betrayal. Knowing that he’s the reason that Sage got captured to begin with. However, after suffering through dreams of seeing Sage with another woman, Lila, she knows that there is no more time for waiting. That’s when she comes for help, to Ben, to rescue Sage. Causing her to pair up with Sage enemies.

I loved Devoted; I thought the second novel was better than the first book. Even thought I love Sage & Clea’s relationship in Elixir, this book had much more action then the first one, in my opinion. The book did start out bit slow but once Amelia and her family showed up, it started picking up. I did wonder about Amelia’s family from very beginning, who they were and how they appeared and disappeared like that. I loved how Duff wrote the book from Clea’s point of view and Amelia’s. I loved Amelia from very beginning, her family not so much; mostly because they wanted tear Clea & Sage apart. I especially disliked Petra. I was hoping that they would lose, at the end.


I was not happy when Sage got stabbed towards the end though. However, I did not see the ending coming. Now I can’t wait to see what happens in next book, which I hope that she writes soon. This was the book that captured me almost from the beginning. I have see what happens next with Ben, Sage, and Clea. I’m also wondering if there be more mention of Clea’s father in next novel, if she will ever find out what happens to him. Otherwise this novel is worth reading it, Duff has a talent.

The Lying Game.

The Lying Game.

Author:Sara Shepard.

Publisher:HarperTeen.

Publication Date: December 7, 2010.

Genre:YA Mystery.

Format:Hardcover.

Pages:307.

Rating:5/5.

Source:Library/Goodreads.

“The Lying Game”, a story about two twins: a foster kid, Emma & Sutton. Emma stumbles across Sutton by accident when her foster brother shows a video of Sutton, being strangled. Afterwards, Emma gets curious, finding her and sending her a message and gets message back from Sutton or who she things is Sutton, and they set up a place to meet. However Sutton never shows up. It’s not till later that she learns of her sister’s murder, and she tries figure out what happened to her, who killed her while pretending to be Sutton.

This book started out a bit slow but then it picked up, and from that point on, there wasn’t a single moment that didn’t capture my attention. I seen few eposides of Lying Game show but after reading the book, I preferred the book so much more. Even though Sutton & Emma are twins, I loved the fact how both of them were so different. I wasn’t completely found of Sutton before she was killed, mostly because I disliked the way that she treated other people, but on the other hand, I loved her attitude. I was suspicious of her friends, especially of Charlotte; she always seemed to be around whenever Emma & Garrett were together. Madeline, I had a feeling that she was hiding something, that day they went to spa, after she left so quickly. I wasn’t really suspicious of Laurel, till the flashback, with necklace.


I thought it was pretty cool that they had Sutton in background, commenting and seeing how awful she was, to her friends, her sister. I think it made her realize that it was reason that any of her friends might wanted to kill her, because of way she treated others. I think that it was what made her change towards end of the book.


I loved the relationship between Ethan & Emma. I could tell that there was attraction between the two of them, especially when the two of them went to play tennis together and the way that Emma kept bumping into Ethan, I had a feeling that she did that on purpose. I hope that their relationship develops even more, now that he knows the truth.


I can’t wait to read the other books, I want see what happens next with everyone. I also want see who the killer is, and why he/ she killed Sutton. I wonder what happens with Emma once truth is revealed though. This book has a lot of mystery, action. It’s worth reading it.

Elixir.

Elixir.

Author:Hilary Duff.

Publisher:Simon & Schuster.

Publication Date:October 12, 2010.

Genre:YA Paranormal Romance.

Format:Hardcover.

Pages:330.

Rating:4/5.

Source:Owned/Goodreads.

This is the second time that I have read "Elixir". It tells a story of 17 year old girl, Clea whose father vanishes. Clea, along with her best friend Rayna go to Europe for a trip before school starts and Clea, a photojournalism takes pictures on their trip in Europe. Once she gets home, she realizes that there is some guy(Sage) in very back in pretty much all of her pictures. At first she freaks out and then she starts dreaming about him, unable to take her mind off him. A trip in Rio, she runs into him and finds out that he knew her father. She, her friend Ben and Sage go in search of Elixir Of Life, or so Clea believes. Through the journey, her feelings for Sage becomes stronger, the feelings she tries to ignore, even if she already aware that Sage is a guy for her.

I had loved Hilary Duff from moment i saw her in Lizzie McGuire, i even been to one of her concerts. So, when i saw this book and saw that she wrote it, i wanted to check it out. I'm glad that i did, i loved everything about it. I loved Clea from very beginning; i loved all the names actually. In beginning however, i wondered if Clea would somehow end up with Ben. Especially when there were in Rio. It made me wonder if she didn't see Sage, would she go for Ben. I was sad to see their relationship ruined towards the end of book. It did make me wonder if they put their differences aside, in order to rescue Sage.

Of Course I loved the relationship between Sage & Clea from very beginning, from the moment that she started dreaming about him. I had a feeling that the moment she dreamed all her past life’s together, she had already fallen in love with him. When i first read the book, it did keep me wondering when they would meet, and if Sage would recognize her. I loved seeing all those past lives that Clea had thought. The book had a lot of mystery added to, especially with her father's disappearance.

The ending keep me wondering, what's going to happen next, with Clea, Ben, Sage. If they will be able figure out where Sage was taken and would they be able to save him. I can't wait to read the next book in series.

Falling Home.

Falling Home.

Author:Karen White.

Publisher:NAL Trade.

Publication Date: November 2, 2010.

Genre:Romance /Family.

Format:Paperback.

Pages:352.

Rating:5/5.

Source:Library/Goodreads.

"Falling Home" is second Karen White Novel i read and i loved it. It got hard for me to put the novel down. Cassie Madison had lived the past 15 years in Mannhatan, establishing new life and advertising with her fiancee, Andrew. Cassie hasn't spoken with her younger sister, Harriet since she ran off and married guy she loved, Joe. Till she gets a call from Harriet middle of the night informing that their father is dying. Forcing Casey to return to Walton, Georgia after years of absence. There she meets up with her childhood friend, Sam Parker who is nothing like he used to. Cassie Inherits the house which she hopes to sell soon, in hopes of returning back home to her fiancee. However, Sam and Harriet think that she should stay, that Walton is where she belongs.


Karen White did an amazing job. I loved the fact how she wrote the book in diffrent point of view. It didn't have a single moment where the book didn't capture my attention, the moment that i picked up the book, i didn't want to put it back down again. I fell in love with characters, especially Cassie, Sam & Harriet. The realthionship between Harriet & Cassie had so much tension in begnning, i could see that in begnning Cassie still haven't completly forgiven Harriet for taking the love of her life, away from her. As Novel progressed, especially when Harriet got sick, i saw the sisters getting closer and closer, especially when they started going through their father things.


I loved the realthionship between Sam & Cassie as well. I could tell that there was an attraction as well as tension between the two of them from very begnning. I was hoping that the two of them would get together, soon. I wasn't too fond of Andrew, i could tell that he wasn't the guy for her, from the moment he came to Georgia. All he seemed to care about was work, he didn't even try to comfort her after her father's death. Work seemed more important to him then Cassie, her hapiness.


This novel made me sad, it hit close to home. My grandma got diagnosed with breast cancer when i was 11 and died when i was 16. When Harriet died, it reminded me of my grandma and it made me cry, both for my grandma and because i loved Harriet. It was an emotional novel from begnning but there were also parts that made me smile. I recomend this novel to everyone. You won't be disspointed.

Speak.

Speak.

Author:Laurie Halse Anderson.

Publisher:Puffin.

Publication Date:April 1, 2001.

Genre:Young Adult/Realistic Fiction.

Format:Paperback.

Pages:208.

Rating:5/5.

Source:Owned/Goodreads.

"Speak" is a novel of a rape victim, Melinda who becomes sudden outcast after she calls police on the party. Nobody is aware the real reason that she called police, to begin with. Once Melinda starts high school, she refuses to talk to anyone, she just keeps things to herself. Her only escape is the art class that she takes upon entering high school.


I first read this book back in 2006 in High School for my English Class, that was the book that we were reading and discussing. I got into the book from very begnning and i would finished it faster if it wasn't for other homework. I was the first one out of everyone in class to finish it though. Laurie Henderson did an amazing job with this novel, i can see how it became so popular. Writing it from Melinda's point of view, i could actually feel, imagine what Melinda was feeling and the writing style in general was unnique.

I was not happy with her new found friend, when she just ditched her for popular girls. That's not what friends are for, that's not what real friends do. Real friends try to help one another, not bail on them when they are depressed.

I loved her friendship with her art teacher from very begnning. In way, i think art was one of things that helped her deal with this more, especially considiring fact that Melinda had no friends. I could tell that her art teacher was the one person, the one adult who seemed to care about her, feel concerned for her.

This is one of my favorite books. I have read if few times and i see myself reading it few more times, it's one of those books that will keep you on reading every time.

The Pledge.

The Pledge.
Kimberly Derting.

 

Publisher:Margret K. Mceldery.

Publication Date: November 15, 2011.

Genre:YA Dystopian,Romance.

Series:The Pledge,#1

Format|Pages:Hardcover|323

Source:Owned/Goodreads.

The Pledge was a first novel I read by Kimberly Derting, actually the cover was what had attracted my attention in first place. When I read the back, it was unlike any novel that I had read and somehow I had feeling that I was going to enjoy this novel. I ended up getting The Pledge for Christmas, from my brother. I wasn’t disappointed, this book even turned out better than I expected it to be. The storyline for The Pledge was unique, unlike other Dystopian novels that I read in past. I can’t wait to read next novel, to see what happens with Charlie next. Seventeen year old Charlaina Charlie, who lives in Kindom Ludania that is ruled by cruel, strict Queen. All of the people are divided by classes and languages they speak. Understanding, and even looking the higher class, will result in death. Charlie has a secret, the secret that she kept hidden most of her life, the fact that she can understand all of the languages. She must never let anyone find that she can understand.

Then Charlie attracts attention of newcomer, Max at the club, when she hears him speaking a language that she had never heard anyone else speak. Soon Charlie senses that Max knows that she understands his language, and she tries to stay away from him even though she knows there’s an attraction between them. She’s afraid if she gets close to him, her secret will be revealed. The more time the two of them spend together, the stronger her attraction grows to him

I had actually heard about this book for someone on Facebook, and I was glad that I did. From the moment I picked up the book, read the first page, I was hooked. I loved Charlie right from the beginning, I felt bad at her at times when she had pretend not to understand the language, I could feel that she wanted to say something when they were insulting her, and her friends. I think that I wouldn’t be able just stand there and not say anything, I would have to say something. I was curious and at same surprised how Max figured out so fast that she could understand his language. I was wondering, from beginning, how long Charlie would actually be able to keep it a secret, of course I was glad that it was Max who discovered and not someone else, who would get her killed instead.

Relationship between Max and Charlie was special; I could tell it right from the moment that two of them met at the Club. I knew that he cared for her deeply, otherwise he would turn her in from moment that he found that she could understand other language, but instead he wanted to protect her. It was obvious, especially after the attack when he neglected his duties, till he was sure that she and her sister Angelina were safe. I wanted to talk some sense into Charlie, tell her it doesn’t matter that he knew her secret; it was obvious he cared about her. I was as surprised as Charlie was thought when I found Max was royalty; I did not see that coming.

I loved relationship between Charlie & Angelina; it was obvious that Angelina looked up to Charlie. I loved fact how much Charlie cared about her sister, how she wanted to make sure that she was safe first, Angelina came first to her, and how she could understand her even though she didn’t talk. It did make me wonder if Angelina would speak or remain silent through the entire book. The ending made me want for more, see what would happen next with Charlie, Max. How Charlie would handle being the Queen. After reading this book, I definitely plan on reading rest of her novels.