Velveteen by Daniel Marks

Title: Velveteen

Author: Daniel Marks

Length: 464 Pages

Genres: YA, Paranormal, Ghosts , Romance

Author's Website: 

http://www.danielmarks.us

Synopsis:

Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that’s not the problem.

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it’s not a fiery inferno, it’s certainly no heaven. It’s gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn’t leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what’s really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she’s figured out just how to do it. She’ll haunt him for the rest of his days.

It’ll be brutal... and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen’s obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she’s willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker.

Velveteen can’t help herself when it comes to breaking rules... or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.

Review:

4.5

This book had absolutely everything I wanted in it. Mystery. Revenge. Betrayal. Love. Action. 

Emotion. Everything—this book was one beautifully dark storm. 

The setting was a crucial point in this book, and I think it was perfect. The purgatory he built was just like I would have imagined it. It was dark, and depressive. It was crowded, and there ash everywhere—which, was a byproduct of souls moving on from purgatory. The fact that everyone was covered in this dead people dust was so creepy that I loved it. 

What I loved most about the main character Velvet was who she was as a person. She was a little harsh and insensitive at times—but you can’t really blame someone who’d been brutally murdered for that. I understood the reason why she did everything, and I was able to sympathize with her. I knew all her motives and ended up cheering her on. That can be hard to achieve—especially when the character is harsh as she is. 

The mix of characters was gorgeous. The Twins were the comedy, Nick was the romance. Mr. Fassbinder was the lovable supporting character. And Bonesaw was a brutal murderer. Even though I summed up these characters in a few words, their all so much more complex than that—they all felt like real people. 

My absolute favorite thing about this story was the twists. Some of the events you knew would happen, but others would just blind side you. Even the people—some characters turned out to be completely different then I thought they would be—some rose to the occasion… and some absolutely betrayed Velvet. This gave a nice effect to the story while Velvet juggled haunting Bonesaw, and rescuing souls. 

‘Velveteen’ was dark, and creepy and beautiful all at the same time. It was a rollercoaster I’d gladly ride again.

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Title: Alice in Zombieland

Author: Gena Showalter

Length: 420 Pages

Genres: YA, Paranormal, Zombies, Romance

Author's Website: 

http://members.genashowalter.com

Synopsis:

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….


I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish

Review:

3.5 

The take on Zombies was excellent. Just… flat out brilliant. Instead of being corporeal beings they’re dead, evil spirits. They’re not visible to most people which makes them that much more dangerous. I loved that spin on something we have a set image of—when you think of zombies you think of zombies… but not her 

 zombies. Which made this experience that much better. 

I loved Alice as a character—she was strong, and a very independent person. She also grieved over her family like a normal teenager would which made her feel real. But like I loved Alice as a character, I had a couple problems with Cole. When you didn’t know him and the interaction between the two was more glances than conversation her felt very… stereotypical. He was the bad boy that was too good for the female protagonist. I didn’t like that—but he did redeem himself the more the two interacted and the more you 

knew about him. 

The situations that were set up were—for lack of a better word—awesome. I loved the conflict between Cole’s group and Justin’s. I loved Kat’s character and I loved the zombie fight scenes. The decisions that were made by Alice—though some pretty idiotic—made sense to her character. 

I do think that the romance in this book was a little… exaggerated. I understand that it’s a zombie-romance which means that there will be romance in it, I knew that when I picked up the book. But when they kiss… it’s like a hormonal punch in the face. I just though that it was a little to exaggerated—but that’s a personal opinion (I like more blood in my zombie stories and less kissing). 

Even though I thought it had a few faults, it was still a very good book, and I will be reading the sequel when it comes out.

Through the Zombie Glass (book 2 of The White Rabbit Chronicles) comes out in October of 2013

The Farm by Emily McKay

Title:The Farm

Author: Emily McKay

Length: 420 Pages

Genres: YA, Paranormal, Vampire

Author's Website: www.emilmckay.com

Synopsis:

Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…

And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race...

Review:

5/5

When I first heard of this book, I wanted it immediately. It was one of those stories that just… sings to you, even though all you know about it is the Author’s name, the title and a little snippet on the back. I still don’t quite know why I wanted this book so much—but when I got my hands on it I couldn’t get through it fast enough. 

I love the way Emily McKay sets up her characters—the story is mainly from Lily’s point of view which is very interesting to watch. No matter what happens the first thing she thinks about is her sister, which I found to be a very incredible factor of her character. But she really is a strong character—she doesn’t sit on the sidelines. She does what she needs to do. 

Every now and then a chapter will be from either Lily’s sister Mel’s perspective, or Carter’s. I loved those little insights into the characters—especially since Mel was autistic. Her autism made reading her perspective very different and interesting—I think that her perspective was done excellently.

The plot was excellent too—there were enough twists to keep me guessing but not so many that I felt confused. I think that sometimes that can be a difficult balance to find, and it was done very well. Also, with there being a surplus of Vampire stories out there at the moment I thought this was different. The Tick’s are like vampire-human-mutants and they’re absolutely brilliant. They’re all the brutality of a vampire minus all the humanity that’s left. 

I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone. As far as I know it’s a standalone novel, but if there was a sequel I would get it in a heartbeat.

Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

Title:Shadowfell

Author: Juliet Marillier

Length: 416 Pages

Genres: YA, Fantasy, Magic

Author's Website: http://www.julietmarillier.com

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Neryn is alone in the land of Alban, where the oppressive king has ordered anyone with magical strengths captured and brought before him. Eager to hide her own canny skill—a uniquely powerful ability to communicate with the fairy-like Good Folk—Neryn sets out for the legendary Shadowfell, a home and training ground for a secret rebel group determined to overthrow the evil King Keldec.

During her dangerous journey, she receives aid from the Good Folk, who tell her she must pass a series of tests in order to recognize her full potential. She also finds help from a handsome young man, Flint, who rescues her from certain death—but whose motives in doing so remain unclear. Neryn struggles to trust her only allies. They both hint that she alone may be the key to Alban’s release from Keldec’s rule.

Homeless, unsure of who to trust, and trapped in an empire determined to crush her, Neryn must make it to Shadowfell not only to save herself, but to save Alban.

(Cover Photo, Information and Synopsis from Goodreads)

Review: 

4.5/5

One of the most remarkable things about this book was the dialogue. The story was set in a time where electricity wasn’t real, there was no such thing as ‘industrial’ and magic was completely real. One of the things that can make or break a story that’s set in a place like this is the dialogue, and in this one it was on point. It made me feel like I was in a different time, but it wasn’t so overwhelmingly odd that it distracted from the story. It was just the right amount of different to really compliment the story.

This book is from the point of view of Neryn, a girl with a ‘canny’ gift. This book refers to the people who can use magic in some way as ‘canny’. Neryn was a really interesting character to follow and learn about, not only because of her canny gift but because of her life’s story. Everything that she did when she was younger and the evil kind Keldec took the thrown reflects how she acts now.

Her on-again-off-again companion Flint is something else. You don’t really know much about Flint until really late in the book. This helps a lot to make Flint look how Neryn sees him—untrustworthy. She can’t decide if he’s someone she can trust, or someone she should run from. And for the most part—you don’t know either.

The plot of this story was really nice. It flowed in a way to make me feel like she really was traveling a dangerous journey to Shadowfell, and at the same time passing these ‘tests’ the Good Folk tell her about. Oh, the Good Folk—some of my favorite characters in this book were those Good Folk. They’re all kinds of odd little things, but they’re all different and fun—and they help Neryn on her journey. One of my favorite characters is called a ‘Stanie Mon’. They don’t do much—but somehow they became my favorite.

This story may take a little more focus than others, but it was worth it. It was a great story, and I can’t wait for the second book to come out.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (Infernal Devices #2)

Title:Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Length: 502 Pages

Genres: YA, paranormal, steampunk

Author's Website:   http://www.wendyhigginswrites.com

Synopsis:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart. 

(Cover Photo, Information and Synopsis from Goodreads)

  Review:

5/5 Stars

This book was just as good as the standards set by Clockwork Angel. It was everything I wanted, and a little more.

This book focuses a good amount on betrayal, and immerses you more in the romance between characters. You have to choose a side in this book—do you like William or do you like Jem? Now, we all remember what Will did at the end of the first book that made him look like a douche, yes? Based on that it may seem like an obvious choice, but not once you learn more about Will. Will’s past is unraveled and revealed showing you who he is, and why he does what he does. The complexity of his character is pretty 

amazing—there’s who he is, and who he pretends to be.

The questions that were raised in the first book about who Tessie is, and what the Magister wanted her for are answered in this one—for the most part. There are always a few loose ends left hanging, to make you want more.

This book was very good with the plot but the character building was impressive. Every action they take, and every little adventure they go on reveals more about Jem, Will, Tessie, Tessie’s brother—all the main players.

I can’t wait for more.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Angel

Author: Cassandra Clare

Length: 479 Pages

Genres: YA, paranormal, steampunk

Author's Website: http://www.cassandraclare.com/

Synopsis:

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

(Cover Photo, Information and Synopsis from Goodreads)

Review: 

5/5 Stars

The reason I put off reading this book was because it’s Steam punk; and more specifically it’s set in 1969. This is the first Steam punk book I’ve ever read before, which made me nervous. Also I’ve never been one for books set in the past, because the language can get confusing and generally feels awkward.

I have to give the author a lot of credit though. Once I took a deep breath, calmed down and just tried to read the book I found myself really enjoying it. Not only does she do wonderful at keeping the flow of words natural and pretty darn familiar, but does a nice job of immersing you in the past.

I found myself sitting down for long stretches of time to read. The book had a nice flow to it, and many times I would hit a part where I just could not set the book down. It wasn’t like it was a straightforward, boring plot either—she put all these little hits and twist through the book that when something clicked you wonder why you didn’t see it before. I also applaud her for weaving just a smidgen of romance in the book, when the era considered public hand-holding scandalous.

The book is in third person, and while it's mainly focused on Tessie it does move to different characters during the chapter. I’m not generally a huge fan of third person perspective, but again I was happily surprised at how smoothly she managed it. Third person can be awkward, especially when you hop characters in the middle of the chapter but it felt very smooth.

I would defiantly recommend this book. It’s a beautiful plot line, and I absolutely adore Cassandra Clare’s writing voice.

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Title:Sweet Evil

Author: Wendy Higgins

Length: 453 Pages

Genres: YA, paranormal, fantasy, demons, angels

Author's Website:   http://www.wendyhigginswrites.com

Synopsis:

 Embrace the Forbidden

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?  

(Cover Photo, Information and Synopsis from Goodreads)

Review:

3.5/5 Stars

I picked this book up on a whim; I had seen it on some website and recognized the cover when I was in the store. Because it was an impulse buy it took me a little while until I took it off my shelf to actually read—when I did start reading, the thing was over before the weekend was. I didn’t want to put it down.

It was a good book, and a nice take on both Nephillme and biblical based stories. Though I really liked the main character, she didn’t feel as real as she could. Anna Whitt is the narrator of the story, and she was raised to be extremely innocent. So innocent that she’s very trusting, even if that could end up hurting her later on. This hyperactive sense of innocence and blind trust was nice, but at the same time made her feel fake. 

The interactions between Anna and Kaidan, or Anna and alcohol help and hinder her at the same time. The blind trust in Kaidan when they go on a little trip seems a little extreme, and the drastic change when Anna gets a taste of alcohol is interesting but it feels like a whole different character—a little too sudden of a shift. The way she, Kaidan and other characters fight, or embrace their base nature was interesting to watch, and made you wonder how you would act if you were in their situation.

The plot was nice, and I really enjoyed the story. The only thing that held it back was the fact that Anna didn’t always feel like a real person. She felt so innocent, and so trustworthy that it was just… unrealistic, because she was pretty bad at making decisions for her safety.  I found myself enjoying the moments that she was ‘working’ with alcohol a lot. I hope her character goes through some realistic developments in the later books.