Hallowed - Cynthia Hand

Torn between her love for boyfriend Tucker and her complicated feelings about the role she seems destined to play, sixteen-year-old part-angel Clara races to decipher a new vision that could signify the end for someone close to her.

Thrilled to have finally gotten my hands on this book!

From the moment I delved into Unearthly, I fell in love with Cynthia Hand and her writing skills. She has a wonderful way of taking you in her mind and not letting go until the final moment. I finished reading Hallowed and was completely spent.

What I love most about this novel was all of the characters have layers, even the so called 'bad guys'. There was so much depth to them that I had a hard time disliking any of them. I did however find some points of Clara to be annoying, especially the scenes with Christian but nothing bothersome. I still really enjoyed this read and can't wait for the next book to be released (in 2013! *sniff*)

Two Truths & a Lie - Sara Shepard

(summary omitted to avoid spoilers)

I was really excited for this one to come out and I wasn't disappointed!

The suspense and drama was just as good and it constantly left me wondering who it was down to the last second. There were some parts that I felt like Emma was a sell out but for the most part I liked the novel. The writing was very typical for Sara, I couldn't put the book down even on the slower parts!

Super excited for the next one!

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

When the owner of a candy shop molds magical treats that instill confidence, bravery, and passion, eighteen-year-old Gretchen's haunted childhood memories of her twin sister's abduction by a witch-like monster begin to fade until girls start vanishing at the annual chocolate festival.

Can I mention (again) how much I love Jackson Pearce? I knew I'd enjoy this book and when I started reading it I became hooked! It started off right away into the mystery of Gretchen, Ansel, and their sister and doesn't stop until the last page.

The writing was awesome as usual, her style is very easy and before you know it you've read fifty pages! The characters were vulnerable yet independent, and there was something very whimsical about the town and the novel overall.

Gretchen and Samuel's relationship was good, though I feel like the interaction could've used some work. I wanted to know more about them. I'm hoping there will be a sequel to this one! I can't WAIT for Fathomless which is a retelling of The Little Mermaid! Yes please!!

****

Daughter of Smoke and Bone - Laini Taylor

*Forgive me if this review is everywhere. I got my molars out yesterday and am hopped up on pain medication =P*

Seventeen-year-old Karou, a lovely, enigmatic art student in a Prague boarding school, carries a sketchbook of hideous, frightening monsters--the chimaerae who form the only family she has ever known.

I knew I was going to enjoy this book because it was getting so much hype. I don't think anyone was wrong! I loved Karou as a character, she is very curious and inquisitive as well as tremendously talented! I loved hearing her voice and found her very relate able.The side characters for me were anything but sides. They made the story for me. The idea that the devil's daughter fell for an angel is ingenious. I also really enjoyed the back and forth POV between Akiva and Karou.

The writing was wonderful, though I did find some parts a little slow. I'm looking forward to the next book though! I'm sure it's going to be great, as the ending to this one was explosive.

Ruthless by Sara Shepard

Yay! Sara Shepard is back!

After finishing Twisted and being very disappointed in it, I wasn't sure about where the direction the PLL series would go. I thought it should've stopped with Wanted and that would be that. I was scared of Shepard adding on more books for the TV show. After Ruthless however, I'm pleased!

I felt like the author took a little detour in Twisted and she didn't know exactly where she wanted to go with the story and in Ruthless it was much more thought out and directed. The plot was purposeful and to the point, and there wasn't too much run around thrown in. The twists in the book were juicy and delightful, and A is just as conniving as ever! I'd definitely recommend this book if you're a PLL fan!

****

Deadly Little Voices - Laurie Faria Stolarz

High school junior Camelia's psychometric powers of touch seem to be changing when she starts to hear voices saying malicious things to her, and even focusing on her beloved pottery does not help, especially after her psychic, suicidal aunt comes to stay after being released from the hospital.

 Another great installment to the Touch series!

These books are the perfect way to spend a rainy Saturday morning. They are mysterious and creepy, but don't require too much thought. The writing is great as always, there weren't too many lulls in the book, which I really appreciated. I actually liked that there wasn't that much romance as I was more more interested in the plot and Camelia's 'visions'

Aunt Alexia was just gloriously creepy. I have a feeling there's more to her than meets the eye. There is one more book in the series, which is Deadly Little Lessons and I'm very intrigued to find out how this series will end.

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush Hush #3)

Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for -- and their love -- forever.

I have to say that I'm glad I decided to go ahead and pick up this novel and give it a try!

I feel like it was a good addition to the series. I was a little hesitant to read this because of the lameness that was Crescendo, but I'm happy to say that Silence picked the series back up for me. There was action from the beginning and the plot kept me guessing. There were a few things that were obvious but others that surprised me a bit.

The writing was pretty good, but that usually isn't a problem for this author. With Crescendo, my main problem was it was very slow and the plot just wasn't interesting. Silence had more or what I was looking for with this series, and it seemed as though the author came back to the 'feel' of the first book. I wish there were more creepy scenarios in this one as the first but it still was a fun read!

The ending was a bit cheesy and sing-song but I suppose I have to put up with it for the others who like those sort of things. ;]

Never Have I Ever - Sara Shepard

When Emma Paxton steps into the life of her long-lost twin Sutton to solve her murder, she finds new suspects at every turn, while Sutton looks on from her afterlife.

Very pleased to say I was impressed!

I've always liked Sara Shepard's writing, her pacing and the plot she uses are usually exciting and well-thought. I'm not sure why I didn't like The Lying Game, I believe I was judging it too harshly against Pretty Little Liars and didn't give it a chance. I thought Never Have I Ever was really exciting and had me guessing. I had started reading this at 10:00 at night (on a work night) and had to force myself to stop about an hour later.

I really enjoy the idea of Emma/Sutton and think it's interesting to see the story unfold. I enjoyed the dynamics of Emma, Charlotte, Laurel, and Madeline, and Madeline's character is SO complex. I also really enjoyed the Twitter Twins, they were hilarious and so true to our day and age. The pacing was great and the ending...wow! I'm really looking forward to the next in the series, Two Truths and a Lie, coming out in 2012!

****

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Sixteen-year-old Clare Fern, a member of a family of psychics, helps the mayor and a skeptical detective solve a murder in a Cape Cod town during the height of tourist season--with her brother a prime suspect.

 
This was a great debut novel for Mrs. Harrington!

I was completely charmed and taken by this book. I thought Clare's thoughts were very likable and relate-able, and I found myself loving her more through each chapter. I did think love triangle(ish) thing was a little lame, it didn't deter me from finding this book alluring. The plot was interesting and kept me guessing throughout the whole book. I loved the idea of it taking place in Cape Cod and a family with special abilities. Really neat! Gabriel was a great character too, as was Perry.

I loved the flow of Kim's writing and how effortless it was to read it. I finished the book in about two sittings. I just kept wanting more and more. I'm looking forward to the next book very much!

****

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

This is the sequel to the gorgeous novel by Gayle Forman, If I Stay. While I wasn't as in LOVE with it as the first book, I still enjoyed it and found myself growing and thinking along with Adam. I did like that the story was told in his POV, it made the novel seem fresh and even more honest.

The main problem I had with this book is the selfishness of both Mia and Adam. I thought that they left their loved ones high and dry and didn't care about no one but themselves. Mia's excuse (for me) was a little bit of a cop out and I felt it was lame. Adam did EVERYTHING for her and she still chose to do what she did. Just made me a little angry. I thought Adam was a little too angsty for me in the beginning but I grew to understand and appreciate his opinion.

Good book, not as good or poignant as the first.

****