Monday, November 22, 2010

Reviews: Soul Screamers books 0.5-3 by Rachel Vincent

Since I read all these together in preparation of reading and reviewing My Soul to Steal I thought I would do short to the point reviews for them.


My Soul To Lose                                              
Release Date: July 1, 2009
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Soul Screamers Book #0.5
ISBN: # 9781426838675
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy



SOUL SCREAMERS PREQUEL NOVELLA

Kaylee Cavanaugh's trip to the mall ends with a brutal panic attack and a brainscrambling shriek she can't stop. Her secret fear is exposed. It's the worst day of her life.
Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.
But the hospital isn't a safe place for Kaylee, and getting out won't be easy because everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, who has a secret of her own...

I thought this was a great place to start the series, You get to know Kaylee a little bit and get introduced to her best friend Emma. You learn about Kaylee's abilities although you wont find out why she has those abilities until book 1. You should defiantly start here as the events that take place are mentioned throughout the entire series.

I gave it 3.5/5


My Soul To Take                                             
Release Date: August 1, 2009
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: # 9780373210039
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy



SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH KAYLEE CAVANAUGH
She doesn't see dead people, but...
She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.
Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about the need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next...

I liked the main character Kaylee and her gifts. Rachel Vincents take on the Irish folklore was refreshing and new. I had no problem believing the story and the abilities as they were told as they were explained so well. The romance between Kaylee and Nash is intense yet not over the top for teen readers.

I gave it 4/5 stars


My Soul To Save                                             
Release Date: January 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: # 9780373210046
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy



“If she were going to die, I’d already be screaming. I’m a banshee.  That’s what we do.”

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her boyfriend’s loyalty to the test.  But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can’t possibly understand.  Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk...


Kaylee, Nash and Tod help a pop star to get her soul back from the hellion that she sold it to before she dies. Kaylee is also trying to adjust with having her father back in her life and living with him. I wasn't crazy about this book. I still like the characters and all but I couldn't stay connected with what was happening for most of the book.

I gave it 3/5 stars


My Soul To Keep                                            
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: # 9780373210053
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy



WHEN KAYLEE CAVANAUGH SCREAMS, SOMEONE DIES
AND KAYLEE IS ABOUT TO SCREAM HER HEAD OFF...


Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them.

Until something does.

Demon’s breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow, the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked.

And when the epidemic hits too close to home, Kaylee will have to risk everything to save those she loves.

I thought what Tod did in book 2 was bad, but what Nash does in My Soul to Keep was way worse I'm not sure how Rachel will spin the future but I'm excited to find out. Kaylee is just being thrown through a loop and having her world shoved upside down. I am looking forward to seeing what Alec brings to the series if he is sticking around.

 I gave it 4/5 Stars

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Week in Review 11/14-11/20

Books Ive Bought/received

Z by Michael Thomas Ford- Win from Janasbooklist
The Zombie Chasers by John Kloepfer- Win From Janasbooklist My kids were so excited!!

Books I read
Bitten in Two by Jennifer Rardin Review Posted
Highborn by Yvonne Navarro Review Posted
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

Other reviews posted
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Blood Heat by Maria Lima
Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan
The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*My 50 Follower Giveaway Winner has been posted HERE. Winner has 72 hours to reply to my email with mailing information or I will pick a new winner :)

*I participated in my second Follow Friday and Book Blog Hops and am so glad so many people found and enjoyed my site enough to follow me. THANK YOU!!

* I have 2 different Authors that will be making appearances within the next couple weeks one for an interview and one for a guest blog so make sure to stay tuned.

WINNER: 50 Follower Giveaway

My 50 Follower giveaway was a huge success!! Thank you to all my new and old followers and I hope you are enjoying my Blog and will continue to visit.

PRIZE: Your choice of ANY 1 book valued Up to $10USD from Book Depository

 The winner chosen by Random.org is…

#28: Jenilee From Reading Lassie


Winner will have 72 Hours to reply to my email or I will pick another

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Review: The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

The Iron Duke
Release Date: October 5, 2010
Publisher: Berkley Trade
ISBN: # 9780425236673
Genre: Steampunk Romance
First in an all-new series where seductive danger and steampunk adventure abound in the gritty world of the Iron Seas. After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power-and fear-of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.
But when Mina uncovers the victim's identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans-and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen, as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

Rhys Is the Iron Duke, He defeated the evil Horde and is now a hero to all of England. Detective Willamina (Mina) Wentworth is called to his home one night to investigate a body that was dropped on Rhys' front porch. She meets the handsome, stubborn, strong willed Rhys and instantly pulls away and tries to keeps her distance to protect herself while he tries everything he has to possess her. This is the second steampunk book series that I have read and I was very happy with it. When I first heard of steampunk I didn't think I would like it at all and I'm happy that I gave it a chance because I fell in love with the genre. The world that Meljean Brook created is completely believable and I had no problem imagining myself walking down the streets. The story was full of adventure, steamy romance and Paranormal elements. The only thing Im sad about is that the next Iron Sea's story wont continue Mina and Rhys story cause I want to read about them more.

I gave it 4/5 Stars

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop

I am participating in my second Follow Friday Hosted by Parajunkie.com as well as my second Book Blogger Hop hosted by crazy-for-books.com Thank you everyone for stopping by and following!!
Follow Friday #2






This weeks question come's Ginger @ GReads

How long have you been book blogging??

I have been blogging for almost 2 weeks now :)


Book Blogger Hop #2

Book Blogger Hop

 "Since Thanksgiving is coming up next week, let's use this week's Hop to share what we are most thankful for and what our holiday traditions are!"

I am most thankful that my family is healthy. I know that sounds like something everyone says but I cant help but think of how many people cant truly say that and my heart goes out to them. We don't have any traditions that we follow, All of our family is up in Chicago IL and we live in NC so we just have a smaller version of the big Thanksgiving dinner.

Review: Highborn by Yvonne Navarro

Highborn
Release Date: October 26, 2010
Publisher: Pocket
ISBN: # 9781439191736
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Award-winning author of over twenty novels enters the urban fantasy genre with a story of a fallen angel who returns to human form to gain redemption.

EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE. BRYNNA MALAK MIGHT BE THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE.

Brynna is a fallen angel trying to earn redemption. She’s escaped from Hell in search of a new life on Earth, but Lucifer’s deadliest hunters are hot on her trail. Police Detective Eran Redmond is after her for a different reason: he needs Brynna to help him find a serial killer who is terrifying Chicago . . . and the trail leads them right to Hellspawned demons of the most dangerous kind. She’s also got a very human problem: dealing with a stubborn, attractive cop who makes her long for everything she knows she can’t have.

Staying alive long enough to earn a shot at Heaven will mean breaking some major rules in the mortal world, as she learns just how complicated and wonderful being human can be. With so much stacked against her, even Brynna has to wonder if she’s crazy. But she’s not giving in without a fight.

Not a chance in Hell. . . .


Brynna has escaped from Hell and is looking for redemption. She is being hunted by Hells hunters right from the start. In the beginning she witnesses a murder and ends up being arrested by Detective Eran Redmond and he ends up helping set her out with clothes and a job and they slowly start gravitating towards being more than friends. Eran of course at first doesn't believe her when she tells him who she is and what exactly is killing people. Brynna is adjusting to the human world and pretty naive when it comes to modern things. She is so used to life in hell that she is very detached from human emotion. She really knows how to kick butt and ends up helping a lot more people then she probably planned to. Her big mission in this book is attached to the character Mireva who is a Nephalim (half angel/half Human) and 17 year old High School student who is trying to get a full scholarship to go to collage as her family cant afford to send her to the kind of collage she wants to attend. Brynna's character was great and defiantly not the typical heroine which was kinda a nice change from the norm.  Concrete Savior, book two will be released in June 2011 and I defiantly plan to continue the series.

I gave it 4/5 stars

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Review: Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan

Queen of Shadows
Release Date: Aug 31, 2010
Publisher: ACE
ISBN: #9780441019250
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Spread throughout the dark corners of our world lies the Shadow World, a society of vampires that feeds off the living. In Austin, Texas, one woman’s madness will drive her into a world that few people ever see–or even know exists…

Shortly after she picked up a guitar, Miranda Grey conquered the Austin music scene with a newfound ability to psychically manipulate her audience’s emotions. But as her powers outgrow her control, her mind is increasingly invaded by haunting secrets and overwhelming sadness. Unable to look anyone in the eye, Miranda is fast approaching the edge of insanity–with no one to catch her fall…

When he outlawed killing humans, David Solomon ignited a civil war among Austin’s vampires. As Prime of the South, his sympathy for mortals angered the old guard who refuse to control their violent urges. David has his hands full with the growing insurgency, but he takes in a broken-down woman, a musician in need of supernatural guidance. Little does he know that Miranda Grey has the power to change his world as well…


Miranda is in a very bad spot in the beginning of this book not only is she going insane she ends up going through something horrific. The horrific event leads to David back to the Haven (where he lives)where he helps her heal and he ends up helping her control her powers as well. I really liked Miranda, she pretty much goes from being insane and afraid to strong and powerful and it isn't overnight you actually get to see it build. David is the Prime (leader) of the area vampires. He is a powerful person and also a techno geek but he still comes out as a hot piece of vampire man. I loved how he handled Miranda and took care of her throughout her entire ordeal. They really made a great powerful match. I really felt the whole book was paced fantastically nothing happened to fast or to slow. I am excited to read the next book in the series Shadow Flame which will be out in July of 2011. OH if your an emotional reader like me, make sure you have tissues on hand for the beginning.


I give it 5/5 stars