Review: Crusade by Nancy Holder, Debbie Viguié

Crusade

Author: Nancy Holder , Debbie Viguié

Release Date: September 7, 2010

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Crusade Book #1

ISBN: # 9781416998020

Genre: YA
For the past two years, Jenn has lived and trained at Spain’s Sacred Heart Academy Against the Cursed Ones. She is among the few who have pledged to defend humanity or die trying. But the vampires are gaining power, and the battle has only just begun.


Forced to return home after death takes a member of her family, Jenn discovers that San Francisco is now a vampire strong-hold. As a lone hunter apart from her team, Jenn is isolated — and at risk. She craves the company of her fighting partner, Antonio: his protection, his reassurance, his touch. But a relationship with Antonio comes with its own dangers, and the more they share of themselves, the more Jenn stands to lose. 


Then Jenn is betrayed by one who was once bound to protect her, causing her to doubt all she had held as true. To survive, Jenn must find the courage to trust herself — and her heart.


I honestly didn't think I was going to like this book after I started reading it. I ALMOST put it down after the first couple of chapters and returned it to the book store to exchange it with something else. I really didn't want to have to drive all the way back there to exchange it so I stuck with it and kept reading. I'm glad I did, The story really picked up and got more interesting as I kept reading. Crusade was an interesting take on vampires. The world pretty much is taken over with them and in some cities they have strong holds and if you don't join them your pretty much dead. Jenn is a hunter, one in a team which is unusual as there is usually just one hunter that goes out by themselves but this team is of course different as they work together in pairs. Her grandfather has passed away so she has to fly home and leave her team to go to the funeral. Someone at home betrays her and pretty much sells her to the vampires (who want to kill her because she is a hunter) in exchange for safety. She then runs and meets up with her team elsewhere later on in the story and goes onto kick some vamp butt. There is many points of views in this book which I'm not totally fond of, I like books more with one point of view but it doesn't get confusing or anything through out the story. All in all this is a neat book and I was totally into it as it got close to the end. I'm excited to see where the story goes next.


I gave it 3.5/5 stars

New Release's Nov 22-28

Tuesday 11/23

Night of the Vampires by Heather Graham
By Magic Alone: Magic #4 by Tracy Madison
Captive Spirit: Dark Crescent Sisterhood #4 by Anna Windsor

If you know of any I have missed feel free to post it in a comment and I will update my list.

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                                              

Author: Rachel Vincent

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                                             

Author: Rachel Vincent

Release Date: August 1, 2009

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Soul Screamers Book #1

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                                             

Author: Rachel Vincent

Release Date: January 1, 2010

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Soul Screamers Book #2

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                                            

Author: Rachel Vincent

Release Date: June 1, 2010

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Soul Screamers Book #3

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

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

Review: The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

The Iron Duke

Author: Meljean Brook

Release Date: October 5, 2010

Publisher: Berkley Trade

The Iron Seas Book #1

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

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

 "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.