Prized - Caragh M O'Brien

 (summary omitted to save spoiling someone!)

I didn't think this book would be as good as the first but I was very happily and pleasantly surprised! I think it totally held its own in the series and I would even dare say I liked it more than the first! The characters were believably vulnerable but were showcased in their strengths, and as always the writing was beautiful.

I loved Gaia as a character and also the love interests were finally believable! I love a slow build-up for them and it broke my heard and made me smile all at the same time. Will and Leon were great male characters and the build was agonizing.

There were so many controversial topics and action that I couldn't stop reading!

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Oh. My. God.

Do you know how when you open a book and you read the first page and you KNOW you're about to embark on something BIG? That is exactly what this book was like times a bazillion.

John Green is a complete genius and I would give my left kidney (oh hell, and my right) to have a tenth of his talent. It was simply dripping with emotion and love and tears and amazing that it completely overwhelmed me. I read this book a couple of days ago and it took me this long to write up the review because I want to give it justice.

The characters were desperately real to me that I could feel them breathing. I cried when Hazel cried, I hurt when she did, when she didn't want to get out of bed, neither did I. She is such a gorgeously written character and her strength was felt through and through. Augustus...there are no words. He is stunning and heartbreaking and the true definition of a man.

Now that I am crying all over again, I urge you to PLEASE read this book. It is everything. You will never need to read another book again after you read this one. What is life and death? What is the most important thing to us? Is it really over when we die? This book will change your life and make you think about things in a completely wonderful and frightening way. I am SO jealous of those who have not read it - you are in for such a treat and I cannot wait for you to open this wonderful, wonderful gift John has given you!

***** (and then some)

Shine by Lauren Myracle

When her best friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover the culprits in her small North Carolina town.

What a beautiful novel!

I was not expecting something to like so much from Lauren Myracle. I only knew her from her Internet series and honestly didn't expect this from her! The writing was incredible and the voice of Cat was so real to me that I could even hear her Southern twang in her voice. The crime against Patrick made my stomach turn and it felt so real that it was happening to one of my friends.

This story was about so much more than just the hate crime. It was about drugs and the effect it has on people and their relationships. I know firsthand what it does to people's lives and it made the book all the more important to me. It really proved that the smaller the town, the bigger the problems. I really recommend this book and it totally made me cry!

*****

Every You, Every Me - David Levithan

Evan is haunted by the loss of his best friend, but when mysterious photographs start appearing, he begins to fall apart as he starts to wonder if she has returned, seeking vengeance.

Heartbreaking and hauntingly beautiful!

From the first chapter I read of this book I knew I was in for a treat. David Levithan's writing is so intense and full of emotion that you can't help but to be wrapped in and feel what the other characters are feeling. The characters were stunningly written, particularly Evan and Jack. Even Ariel is written as a character even though she never spoke one word.

Levithan is a wonderful author and so clever. I found the collaboration between him and Jonathon Farmer so amazing - neither of them had any idea what the other was doing until they saw the actual photograph. How in the heck did they do that?! Evan's grittiness and torgtured soul made me want to cry for him.

Amazing book, a total favorite!

*****

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

This book was a favorite of the year, if not of all time! There was action starting with the beginning and didn't let loose until the last page. Tris is easily one of my favorite female heroines, I loved how she was strong but still appreciated a good looking boy. :P

Speaking of good looking boys, Four was amazing. I loved finding out the meaning of his name and his personality was just scrumptious. I loved that the relationship between them was so delicate and slow building and they didn't just leap head first into it. The writing was so intense and the action was non-stop and heartbreaking.

OMG the ending? Incredible. I'm salivating for Insurgent which comes out in May!

Lola and the Boy Next Door - Stephanie Perkins

Budding costume designer Lola lives an extraordinary life in San Francisco with her two dads and beloved dog, dating a punk rocker, but when the Bell twins return to the house next door Lola recalls both the friendship-ending fight with Calliope, a figure skater, and the childhood crush she had on Cricket.

If it was possible (and logical) to marry a novel, it would be this one! There were so many things I loved about this book that I smile just thinking about it. There's no doubt that Stephanie Perkins knows what she's doing as an author and as a romanticist. By the end of the book she had me in a puddle on the floor.

Everything about this book was charming. The imagery, quaint neighborhoods, and just the city in general. I've been to San Fransisco and I fell in love all over again! The characters were amazing and had the best personalities. Cricket was the best guy ever and I need one for me okay? Thank you!

It was also so great to 'hear' from Anna and Etienne again, they're relationship was adorable. I absolutely cannot wait for Isla and the Happily Ever After. I might have to slug someone for a possible ARC...

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

In post-apocalyptic New Orleans, now a sanctuary for supernatural beings, a hardened teenager on the run searches for the truth about her monstrous heritage and discovers a curse that could ignite the ancient war between gods and monsters.

I absolutely loved this novel and was so sad when it ended! I LOVED the setting the novel had, the feel was constantly creepy and eerie. It completely embodied the feel of New Orleans. The characters were well developed and very separate of each other. No one molded together which is a big factor for me.

Having a paranormal experience in New Orleans myself, I fell in love with this book and felt a connection to it. I absolutely can't WAIT for the next book, A Beautiful Evil, that's coming out in February (2 days before my birthday!)!

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

An angry, grieving seventeen-year-old musician facing expulsion from her prestigious Brooklyn private school travels to Paris to complete a school assignment and uncovers a diary written during the French revolution by a young actress attempting to help a tortured, imprisoned little boy--Louis Charles, the lost king of France.

I absolutely loved this book!

The thing that stuck out most for me about this novel is the fact that it took Donnelly 10 years to write and it is extremely seamless. I couldn't sense a transition between Andi and Alexandrine and the writing was gorgeous. This was the exact book I needed to escape, particularly the parts with Alexandrine. I'm fascinated with that era and the mystery was fabulous.

The book is large and intimidating, but it's totally worth it!

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Sixteen-year-old Clara Gardner's purpose as an angel-blood begins to manifest itself, forcing her family to pull up stakes and move to Jackson, Wyoming, where she learns that danger and heartbreak come with her powers.

 
I loved this book!

To be honest, it took me a day or so to get into it, but I blame that on my unwillingness to read period and not the book. Once I decided to sit down and read it however, it completely blew me away! A definite favorite in the paranormal/fantasy YA category for sure. I loved Cynthia's writing and when I began reading I'd look up and an hour would've passed!

I also loved Clara's character. I felt like she was a little annoying sometimes, but she is only sixteen and I got over it quickly. Love the blooming relationships between her, Christian, and Tucker. I don't know which one I like more as of yet. The plot was incredible and the ending...I want to know MORE! This book was amazing and I enjoyed every minute reading it. The action and suspense had my heart pounding at the end and I literally gasped when the truth was revealed.

Truly an excellent book and I really recommend it. The sequel, Hallowed, is coming in January of 2012 and I CAN'T WAIT!!

*****

She Loves You, She Loves You Not - Julie Anne Peters

When seventeen-year-old Alyssa is disowned by her father for being a lesbian, she's sent off to a small town in Colorado to live with the mother she's never known, where she's forced to come to terms with herself and her family.

What a powerful, charming, and heartbreaking read.

If you enjoy Sarah Dessen's writing, then I think you will really enjoy this one. I'd read Luna by this author and it changed my way of thinking about...everything. It was amazing and this novel wasn't too far behind. I loved the scenery that Peters set up and the characters are so charming and witty.

I wasn't in love with some of the things Alyssa does, especially when it came to her mother but that didn't deter my enjoyment of the book. The ending was incredible and unexpected. I was near tears. As I said, if you like Sarah Dessen, teen growth and self discovery novels, then I suggest this one!

*****

From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender

This book is a sequel to Bad Girls Don't Die! =)

 After taking an oath to a seemingly benevolent spirit, a high school girl finds herself changing in frightening ways.

God, I adore Katie Alender's mind. For reals.

I enjoyed it from start to finish and I couldn't put it down! I was a *little* disappointed that there wasn't as much crazy Kasey, but the plot was still outstanding and kept me ravenous for more. The conflict between the two 'situations' that Alexis was in was so real and I caught myself wondering what I would do if I were in that situation. I love books like that.

The characters were wonderful and also the writing was terrific, as usual. Even when one of the characters was in a normal situation, I felt like there was always a subtle tinge of danger in Alender's writing. The ending was AMAZING and I really wasn't expecting that at all, and I love a book that truly floors me. The best part of the ending? It was kind of open-ended and I'm REALLY hoping there's a third book in the mix!

I have found another all-time favorite series!

*****

Abandoned by Meg Cabot

A near-death experience, a horrible incident at school, and a move from Connecticut to Florida have turned seventeen-year-old Pierce's life upside-down, but when she needs him most John Hayden is always there, helping but reminding her of her visit to the Underworld.

Whee! First review on the blog!

This book definitely started the blog off with a bang. I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, because *don't hit me* I don't enjoy a lot of her books. There was so much hype about Abandon that I finally read it and I'm glad I did. I thought the writing was great and the depth of characters were awesome.

I thought it was a tad bit slow in the beginning but the ending made up for it and then some. Such a page-turner and John was such an amazing character. I'm so in love with brooding yet sensitive guys and John is no exception. I just wanted to get lost in this Underworld that Cabot has created and I definitely can't wait for the next book in the series!

*****