Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Release Date: November 30, 2010
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Matched Book #1
ISBN:  0525423648
ISBN13: 9780525423645
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

 Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.



I originally won MATCHED from Librarything.com Early review program but unfortunately it got lost in the mail so I never received it, I still wanted to read it so I borrowed it from the library as soon as it came in. I enjoyed the storyline. The pacing was world building were kinda slow. The Characters were strong and written well. I cared about the characters and wanted to know what happened to them throughout the entire book. The Narrative was kinda flat, super strait to the point words and sentences which isn't always bad but most of the book is like that. There is a slow building romance. I'm honestly am having a really hard time pinning down exactly how I feel about this book as a whole. I didn't hate the book but I didn't love it as much as I wanted to. The ending kinda sucked for me, I was waiting to find out what happened with certain things and it just ended. Because I must know what happens I will be reading future books in the series. You will either be blown away, absolutely hate it or have NO clue what you feel about this book, and since i fall into the last group I'm of no help to you :)


I gave it 3/5 stars

Week in Review 12/19-12/25

Books Ive Bought/received
Nothing received or bought this week :)

Books I read
Pale Demon by Kim Harrison
Matched by Ally Condie
Earl of Darkness by Alix Rickloff
Confessions of a Demon by S.L. Wright

Other reviews posted


Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
Firespell by Chloe Neill
Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh
Hexbound by Chloe Neill
Right Hand Magic by Nancy A. Collins


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* I hope everyone that celebrates Christmas had a wonderful day with there families.

* Don't forget to enter my "Because its my Birthday Month" Giveaway. Ends 12/29

* Like what you read? Leave me a comment on it.

* If you haven't already make sure to sign up for my feedburner. It will earn you an extra entry in my Giveaways if you are an email subscriber.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone who celebrates has a wonderful Christmas. We usually head home to Chicago (we are now in NC) but we aren't able to make it this year so my family and I are just staying home, letting the kids open presents and eating a fabulous dinner. What are your plans for the holiday?

Early Review: Hexbound by Chloe Neill

Hexbound   
Author: Chloe Neill

Release Date: January 4, 2011 
Publisher: Signet

Dark Elite Book #2

ISBN:   0575095431 

ISBN13: 9780575095434

Genre: Young Adult
Review copy source: Win from Mystifying Paranormal Reviews

Lily Parker is new to St. Sophia’s School for Girls, but she’s already learned that magic can be your best friend…or your worst enemy.

They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Turns out, even a little magic can turn you to the dark side. That’s why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered paranormal abilities, on top of avoiding the snobs who th...moreLily Parker is new to St. Sophia’s School for Girls, but she’s already learned that magic can be your best friend…or your worst enemy.

They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Turns out, even a little magic can turn you to the dark side. That’s why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered paranormal abilities, on top of avoiding the snobs who think they run her school, nursing a crush on a cute sophomore with a big, werewolf-y secret, and fighting the good fight with her best friend Scout as they take on Chicago’s nastiest nightlife—including the tainted magic users known as Reapers.

Then Lily’s invited to a private meeting with Sebastian. He’s hot, powerful, and offering to help her harness the magic flowing in her veins in a way no one else can. He’s also a Reaper. Lily can’t hide her suspicions. But she’ll soon find out that the line between good and evil isn’t always clear…

Again the characters is what makes me love Chloe Neill's stories. The friendships and relationships between Lily, Jason, Scout, and Michael continue to grow. I'm very much looking forward to finding out more about Sebastian and what he is going to bring to the series. Both stories in the Dark Elite series are quick reads that will leave you laughing out loud many times during the book. Lily is finally settling into what she is and starting to learn more about what exactly she can do. HEXBOUND moves a bit faster than FIRESPELL did which was nice. I found myself having to be reminded that Lily was only 15 years old, since she is so independent being in a boarding school and all it was easy to forget. I thought HEXBOUND continued the Dark Elite series well.

I gave it a 3.5/5

Follow Friday

I am once again participating in Follow Friday Hosted by Parajunkie.com. Thank you everyone for stopping by and Follow me if you like what you see!! Happy Holidays..

Follow Friday 

This weeks question comes from

Parajunkee her self :)

"What are you plans for this fabulous day (Christmas)?"

 

We are staying home and spending the day doing pretty much nothing. lol All of our family lives in Chicago IL (we are in NC) We will watch the kids open gifts, make appetizers for lunch and a roast for dinner.

Review: Right Hand Magic by Nancy A. Collins

Right Hand Magic

Author: Nancy A. Collins

Release Date: December 7, 2010

Publisher: ROC

Golgotham Book #1

ISBN: 0451463668 

ISBN13: 9780451463661

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Like most Manhattanites, aspiring artist Tate can't resist a good rental deal-even if it's in the city's strangest neighborhood, Golgotham, where for centuries werewolves, centaurs, and countless other creatures have roamed the streets. 

 Her new landlord is a sorcerer name Hexe, who is determined to build his reputation without using dark, left-hand magic. As Tate is drawn into Hexe's fascinating world, they both find that the right hand does not always know what the left hand is doing-and avoiding darkness is no easy trick...



I loved Golgotham it was explained and built up fantastically. I loved the characters and the different species of beings. The whole fictional world was very believable and a lot of fun to read about. Tate has to learn a whole new way of life when she moves into Hexe's boarding house and has a great landlord to help her find her way around Golgotham and to teach her about the ways of life there. Tate and Hexe's relationship built up nicely going from friends to lovers. The supporting characters were strong and well written. The story line fell a bit short for me. It was a bit lagging at times and the dialogue wasn't always strong. Its worth reading and I will pick up LEFT HAND MAGIC when it comes out.



I gave it 3.5/5 stars

Early Review: Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh

Archangel'a Consort

Author: Nalini Singh

Release Date: January 25, 2011

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Guild Hunter Book #3

ISBN: 0425240134 

ISBN13: 9780425240137

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil…

A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders.

The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.

An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed…

Archangel's Consort is filled with conflict. After the events of books 1 and 2, Elena returns to New York with her Archangel by her side. She starts working for the Guild again part time, and continues to train in weapons and techniques in flying. There are things that Elana finds out about her family as well as a little bit of healing. Elena and Raphael's relationship continues to grow swoon I just love them together, Nalini Singh has a way with words that just brings out every emotion in situations and there relationship really comes off as heartfelt and strong. Raphael's mother Caliane begins to awaken and all heck breaks loose around the world. Raphael also deals with a lot of emotions in book 3 pertaining to his mother, his feelings and what she left behind while she was insane before she went to sleep. From the first chapter I was drawn in to the story. This is a must read, pre-order a copy of Archangel's Consort now and if you haven't read Angels Blood or Archangel's Kiss you have to pick them up and read them, these are books that you could read multiple times and never get bored with them.

I gave it 5/5 stars