Review: Spellbound

Title: Spellbound

Author: Cara Lynn Shultz

Published: June 21, 2011

Source: Paperback gift

Synopsis:

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Review: 

This book had things that I had been missing lately. I've been reading books that I normally wouldn't read and this book took me out of my funk. Well actually Half-Blood by Jennifer Armentrout did.. but lets not talk about that.

I loved the simplicity of this book. It was a simple romance, with a little paranormal thrown in. I loved the characters, the humor, the friendships, the classic mean girls, and of course, the romance! I'm a sucker for a good romance book and certain scenes had me readjusting my position to get more comfortable in anticipation and in just general excitement when Brendan would do little things. I want him. 

I really enjoyed the New York setting. Being the place I want to move to when I'm older, I love the city. The book just fit there. I could picture the streets she was walking down and hear the sounds that Emma was hearing. 

Emma.. was a different sort of girl. She had an abusive step-father, which was what lead her to New York in the first place. She knew how to take the things that were thrown her way, and throw them right back. She was strong, and brave in her own way. 

Then comes along Brendan... *swoons* He is the kind of boyfriend that any girl would want. He's sweet, caring, charming, funny, and protective. Heck, he even defends a girl that he barely knows honor the first day he even see's her. I repeat, I want him.

I loved this book! I give it 51 out of 51 tacos just for the ability to make me smile! I needed a feel good book at the moment, and this was perfect! Of course I hated the mean girls, especially Kristen, but I got over her! Go buy this book! You won't be disappointed!! :)

~~Sam :)

Review: Broken

Title: Broken
Author: Dean Murray
Publish: Dec. 25, 2011
Source: eArc from Author
It's free on Amazon right now! Click the book title for more info!

Synopsis:
Adri Paige is too busy dealing with the emotional fallout from losing half of her family to deal with boys. At least she thought so until the two most intriguing guys in her new school take an interest in her.
Both boys are gorgeous and blessed with obscene amounts of money. They should have the emotional depth of note cards, but instead display undercurrents she doesn't fully understand. Rumors the pair destroys peoples' livelihoods seem ludicrous until she gets caught in the crossfire and her family almost loses their home. She's increasingly unsure either boy is really human, and their rivalry is rapidly turning deadly. ~ Since this isn't on Goodreads or any other site yet, I asked Jennifer from  Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy for the use of her synopsis! Thanks!

Review: 

I had read Torn first, and had enjoyed it. I was excited to read the book from Adri's POV. I loved Adri in Torn and wanted to know more about her. That is exactly what you get with this version of the story! You see the world from Adri's perspective, and all her motivations behind everything she does. 

I liked this book more than Torn. It had more detail than Torn and we had explanations for more things than in Torn. Adri was a very mysterious person in Torn and we didn't really get to know her all that much, only a little from Alec's creepy stalking. Hehe :). I think it has more detail because of it being from a girls POV, yeah yeah, boys can be descriptive, but not that descriptive. They just skim over things. 

Of course I was able to predict the book and it's happenings because of first reading Torn, but I think I would've enjoyed Torn a bit more if I had read Broken first. I finally understood some aspects of Torn than I had originally been confused about, and I fell even more in love with Alec! He was awesome, even as a jerk throughout the book. That was because I knew why he was doing that.

I really did enjoy this book. I was more into it because of all those things I mentioned above. I wasn't expecting anything to really change, but I liked the books much more now after reading Broken. I give this book 41 out of 51 tacos! The books should be released together, so people can get a feel for both characters and not hate one or the other!

~~ Sam :)

Review: Untraceable

Title: Untraceable
Author: S.R Johannes
Published: November 29
Source: Review eCopy

Synopsis:
16 year old Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.
When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.
One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.
Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.

Review:

I enjoyed this book. It was very different than what has been out there lately, and it was nice to not have to read about some vampire falling in love with a human for once. Which is all I tend to read... :) I liked how it was about a relationship with ones father that is so strong that she didn't give up on looking for him, when everyone else did.

My first thoughts: Why is she running? Who is after her? Does she live in the woods? Why is she in the woods? Ohhh! Now I understand! Yeah, so I was a little confused at the beginning, but the author sorts it all out and explains everything. Which was a very big plus for me. I HATE it when nothing is explained! I like to know things and S.R did that really well in Untraceable.

I really liked Grace, she was determined and strong. If someone told me my dad was missing, I'd curl into a ball and cry for 3 months. Grace doesn't do that, she puts on a tough face and goes into the woods and searches for any part of her dad. When that tough exterior falls away, she's like any teen. She cries about her dad and refuses to believe he's truly dead. And when she's faced with betrayals, she takes them in stride and does whatever she can to fight off that betrayal.

Then there's Mo... Mo... Sigh... I want Mo. Grace meets him while she is fly-fishing and then he * spoiler* her. After that moment her walls come down and they start to get to know each other. I loved Mo's character and I wish she didn't end it how she did. I cried when I read that scene with him. Plus, I want to be called Blossom. That just sounds amazing. :)

I really did like this book. There would be some things that I didn't like, but that was only to keep the plot rolling and get us interested in the next book. Which I will defiantly be picking up!  Check out this book and you won't be disappointed!
~~Sam :)

Cover Reveal: Chosen Ones

Sixteen-year-old Tess lives in a compound in what was once the Western United States, now decimated after a devastating fourth World War. But long before that, life as we knew it had been irrevocably changed, as women mysteriously lost the ability to bring forth life. Faced with the extinction of the human race, the government began the Council of Creators, meant to search out alternative methods of creating life. The resulting artificial human beings, or Chosen Ones, were extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.

Life is bleak, but uncomplicated for Tess as she follows the rigid rules of her dystopian society, until the day she begins work at Templeton, the training facility for newly created Chosen Ones. There, she meets James, a Chosen One whose odd love of music and reading rivals only her own. The attraction between the two is immediate in its intensity—and overwhelming in its danger.

But there is more to the goings-on at Templeton than Tess ever knew, and as the veil is lifted from her eyes, she uncovers a dark underground movement bent not on taking down the Chosen Ones, but the Council itself. Will Tess be able to stand up to those who would oppress her, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?

Title: Chosen Ones: (The Lost Souls #1)

Author: Tiffany Truitt

Published: April 2011

What do y'all think? This has certainly sparked my interest in the book!

Waiting on Wednesday: 12/21

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It showcases books that we can't wait on to come out!

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy spinoff series. 

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students—children of the wealthy and powerful—carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought. 

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead’s breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

What are you waiting on this week?

~~Sam :)