Demonglass By Rachel Hawkins - Review

Title: Demonglass

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Hardcover, 368 pages

Expected publication: March 1st 2011 by Hyperion Books CH

Series: Hex Hall #2

Characters: Sophia Mercer, Archer Cross

Plot:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

My Thoughts:

Hex Hall two was just as good, if not better than Hex Hall one. I loved every second of this book and it's so hard not to spill the beans because I could go on and on about the plot. There are so many things that happen in this book that make me think WTF, and OMG what's gonna happen next. This book is a must read for the Sophie Mercer fans out there. I will also tell you team Archer fans to gear up. There's a saucy forbidden romance thing going on there. At the end of this book I have to say I am TEAM CAL! If you can't remember him from book one, I suggest going back and skimming through the Cal scenes. You'll be glad you did when you start book two.

This one is a MUST READ if you liked HEX HALL.

Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram

Title: Being Jamie Baker
Author: Kelly Oram
Paperback, 353 pages
Source: ARC Tour
Published: June 14th 2010 by Bluefields
Author Website: http://www.beingjamiebaker.com/ .

Plot:

An accident that should end in tragedy instead gives seventeen-year-old Jamie Baker a slew of uncontrollable superhuman abilities.


To keep her secret safe Jamie socially exiles herself, earning the title of Rocklin High's resident ice queen. But during a supercharged encounter with star quarterback Ryan Miller she literally kisses anonymity goodbye. Now the annoyingly irresistible Ryan will stop at nothing to melt the heart of the ice queen and find out what makes her so special.

Unfortunately, Ryan is not the only person on to her secret. Will Jamie learn to contain her unstable powers before being discovered by the media or turned into a government lab rat?

More importantly, can she throw Ryan Miller off her trail before falling in love with him?

My Thoughts:

I wasn't sure what to expect when I got this book because I hadn't heard much about it. The little synopsis on the back sounded fun and I hadn't read a YA super hero novel in a while, so I thought I'd give it a try. Little did I know how much I would actually like this story. The voice of this novel really drew me in and gave the main character a likability that hooked me into the story. Our main character was once a beauty queen, but after an accident caused her to be all super powerish, she becomes a "freaky" loner. The guys in her school all agree she's the hottest girl in the school. None of them approach her though because she is the resident Ice Queen. Being social is not an option for Jamie Baker. The fact that she has super hearing allows her to over hear the two hot guys in the school making a bet about kissing the ice queen to decide which one of the two get to ask out the second hottest girl in the school. Jamie is so sarcastic in her thoughts. She's like no way am I going to kiss you Ryan Miller, the self-absorbed jock boy who thinks he is God's gift. But Ryan wins her over and gets that kiss (this is all in the opening BTW) and he becomes her love sick stalker every minute after.

This book was so funny. I loved how Jamie Baker wavers on wanting to be a normal girl, but knows she can't so she just keeps pushing people away. It makes for a great internal struggle. Ryan Miller totally won me over. There's just something about over-confident hot guys that make me melt.


So read this one if you are looking for a light, romantic tale about a female super hero in disguise! 

READ CHAPTER ONE HERE!!!

Win a KINDLE and Gift Cards!!

One of my besties is celebrating her blog revamp with a Kindle giveaway and gift cards to Barnes and Noble and Starbucks!

So Hurry over to her blog and enter!!!



PS: While Your here enter my YA CONTEMPORARY BOOK GIVEAWAY

YA Contemporary Book Giveaway

First off, big THANKS to everyone who entered my button giveaway! Looks like we have our 15 winners. I'll email you soon for your addy so I can get the buttons out to you!

So, today I went to a local book store and hit up their bargain bin, totally finding YA steals. And yes my friends, I am going to give some of those books out to you all since I heart you so much. Just Comment on this post with your addy and I will use number randomizer to pick winner one and two. Being a follower (GFC) is not required, but is greatly appreciated. Contest Closes Next Sat (1/29/11 @11:59pm) Good Luck!!


Giveaway One (Open to US Only):

How to Date Like a Guy:

1. Flirt constantly.

2. Keep your options open.

3. Don't get attached.

Cassie and her two best friends, Greta and Keagan, are so over boyfriends. But just because the girls are anti-boyfriend doesn't mean they're anti-boy. So they make a pact for the summer: They'll each kiss ten different guys before school starts—no commitments, no drama, just fun. Sounds easy enough. Then Cassie meets the perfect guy (nine boys too soon), and the pact starts to seem like a terrible idea. Not to mention Boy Number One turns out to be her best friend's ex. Ugh—Cassie's summer just went from carefree to complicated faster than she can say "heartbreaker."

How to Run a Resort:

Make sure employees arrive on time with a positive attitude. (check)

Remember that the customer is always right. (check)

Keep your boyfriend and your most valuable guest from trying to kill each other. (oops)

Celeste Tippen can't imagine a more perfect summer. Her boyfriend, Travis, has a job at her family's resort, which means lots of quality couple time. Unfortunately, she forgot about Nick Saunders, the hot son of the resort's wealthiest customers. Every year, Nick flirts with Celeste, and apparently this year is no different, despite the boyfriend who's watching their every move. She assures Travis that hanging out with the resident bad boy is the last thing she wants to do. If only she believed that herself....

Giveaway Two (US ONLY):

See Description Above

 

 From the creators of GOSSIP GIRL comes a fresh, edgy take on teenage romance. Three interconnected stories explore the different stages of love over the course of one summer on the seashore.

It's summer. It's hot. And it's time to hook up.



Cousins Ella, Beth, and Jamie are at their family's beach house, and they're gearing up for the wildest time of their lives. Sassy Ella is majorly crushing on a cute older boy -- who just happens to be her sister's new boyfriend. Meanwhile, practical Beth is surprised when she finds herself falling for her best friend George. And shy, creative Jamie gets her heart broken when her summer love abandons her.



Three girls, too many boys, and some seriously stormy romances...it all adds up to one unforgettable summer.

 

Twilight Button Giveaway!

Okay, so one of my besties gave me a crap-ton of New Moon stuff (partly because I am the biggest YA literary nerd she knows. LOL) when Eclipse was hitting the theaters and I've had part of it stored in a box on top of my bookcase since the summer. So if you are a Twilight fan today is your lucky day!

The 1st 15 (fifteen) commentors (within the US) will each recieve a set of four The Twilight Saga New Moon buttons (pictured below).  Please leave your email addy so I can contact you to get your address if you are one of the lucky 15. Being a "Follower" on this blog isn't required, but it would be totally appriciated!!

Blog Make Over!!

OMG you guys, I love my new blog design! Lori over at
  did a heck of a job! She got my vision for the blog and put it in motion. So THANK YOU, Lori!

In honor of my new design, I am going to do some giveaways this week, so be sure to check back!!

Desires of the Dead (The Body Finder #2) by Kimberly Derting - Review

Title: Desires of the Dead (The Body Finder #2) 
Author: Kimberly Derting

Hardcover, 368 pages

Published: February 15th 2011 by HarperCollins
Series: The Body Finder
Speical Note: ARC Tour

Plot:

The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.


When Violet Ambrose's morbid ability to sense the echoes of those who've been murdered leads her to the body of a young boy, she draws the attention of the FBI. She is reluctantly pulled into an investigation that will endanger more than just her secret...but her relationship and possibly her life as well.

My Thoughts:
 
I love Violets ability. It opens up an exciting mystery every time. Plot wise, this novel was very similar to book one. The mystery was very similar. But Ms. Derting's writing, the way she can write from a serial killer's point of view, kept me hooked in. I found myself flying through the pages to find out what happens next. 
 
The other thing that kept me hooked was the relationship between Jay and Violet. In book one they discover their feelings for each other, and in this novel they take their romance to the next level. I love how Violet kept wanting to go further physically and Jay was the one to pump the brakes. Very refreshing. 
 
I really enjoyed this one. It's a must read if you read, and loved THE BODY FINDER. You'll love how Jay and Violet's relationship unfolds.

Double Take Covers: Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

My Thoughts:

I loved Personal Demons, and I am super stoked that Tor Books is sending me an ARC to review! Can't wait to get my hands on this one!

Publication Date: July 5th 2011 by Tor Teen (first published 2011)


Sequel to Personal Demons

When secrets and old histories come to light, Frannie realizes that nobody is who she thought they were. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Some are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell's grasp.


And not everyone will get out of it alive.

Double Take Covers: Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

Sequel to Ghost and the Goth
RELEASE DATE: June 7th 2011 by Hyperion Book CH

After being sent back from the light, Alona Dare - former homecoming queen, current Queen of the Dead - finds herself doing something she never expected: working. Instead of spending days perfecting her tan by the pool (her typical summer routine when she was, you know, alive), Alona must now cater to the needs of other lost spirits. By her side for all of this - ugh - “helping of others” is Will Killian: social outcast, seer of the dead, and someone Alona cares about more than she’d like.


Before Alona can make a final ruling on Will’s “friend” or “more” status, though, she discovers trouble at home. Her mom is tossing out Alona’s most valuable possessions, and her dad is expecting a new daughter with his wicked wife. Is it possible her family is already moving on? Hello! She’s only been dead for two months! Thankfully, Alona knows just the guy who can put a stop to this mess.

Unfortunately for Alona, Will has other stuff on his mind, and Mina, a young (and beautiful) seer, is at the top of the list. She’s the first ghost-talker Will’s ever met—aside from his father—and she may hold answers to Will’s troubled past. But can she be trusted? Alona immediately puts a check mark in the “clearly not” column. But Will is - ahem - willing to find out, even if it means leaving a hurt and angry Alona to her own devices, which is never a good idea.

Packed with romance, lovable characters, and a killer cliffhanger, Queen of the Dead is the out-of-this-world sequel to The Ghost and the Goth.

Clarity by Kim Harrington - Review

Title: CLARITY

Author: Kim Harrington
Published: Scholastic/Point, March 1, 2011
Special Note: ARC Review/Tour

PLOT:

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?


This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch an object and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case — but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother — who has supernatural gifts of his own — becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

My Thoughts:

First off, um, WOW!! This book has easily pushed its way to one of my favorite novels. True crime mysteries in YA are few and far between, and Clarity helps fill that void. This novel totally reminds me of a psychic Veronica Mars, and those of you who know me know how much I loooooooooove Veronica Mars. I know I'm not alone on that one. :)

A novel that Clarity reminds me of is Laurie Stolarz's TOUCH series. Which is one of my most favorite series ever!

This novel has such a fresh voice. Claire is just the right amount of snarky and uncertain, which is such the right balance of a teenager. You can't help but to fall in love with her and hope everything works out for her.

When you first meet Claire you discover she's kind of the outcast at school, even though the boys all find her attractive, and her boyfriend, Justin,  has cheated on her with one of the mean girls at school. I wanted to hate Justin so bad, but I just couldn't. Claire does the right thing there though. She has every right to be down right pissed at him, and let's just say she has no problem dumping coke on the "other woman's" head. Claire is awesome!

The mystery in the novel really pulled me in when I discovered Claire's bother could be a suspect in the death of the tourist that has died in their seaside town. He is a well known man-whore in the town and the last person seen with the victim.

Now I won't tell you anymore (even though I really, really want to because I heart this book so much) because that would ruin the mystery for you guys. All I can say is YOU MUST READ THIS NOVEL!! This is going on my 5-star-awesomeness Goodreads list!