Everneath (Everneath #1) by Brodi Ashton

Everneath (Everneath #1)

by Brodi Ashton 

Hardcover, 370 pages

Expected publication: January 24th 2012 by Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray 

Source: Netgalley

Plot:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

My Thoughts:

I just closed this book and felt compelled to write this review right away. There are so many paranormal books out there that sometimes they all seem to blend together. Then, when you least expect it, you begin a paranormal novel that is so different you can’t put it down. I love it when a novel is so out in left field, it defies ever rational thought I have about what the underworld is suppose to be like. Plus, anything that can tie in Greek mythology and make you wonder if some things could actually be true…is a fantastic book. EVERNEATH grabbed me by the arms and yanked me into it’s world. I could not put it down. I read it in, like, two sittings. It’s that good!

The Everneath is a place where immortals called Everlastings, take Forfeits, basically human sacrifices, to the Feed.  They feed off emotions. And when we meet our main character she is just coming out of the Feed, and things are a little confusing, but so interesting you’ll find that you can’t turn the pages quick enough to find out what’s going on and how things got to the point they are. This was so different. This was a completely new description of hell and what is like. And I’ve never met an immortal like these.

Another interesting thing about this book is the transitions. Often times I find myself skimming parts of the story on how a character gets from one scene to the next. Everneath there wasn’t a need to do that. There will just be a short italicized line that says: In my room, in my car, at Cole’s condo. That was really refreshing. I liked it because it cut to the chase and kept me hooked.

I recommend this novel to ANY paranormal lover. I cannot wait for book #2. I gotta know what happens. Nik and Jack’s love story tore me apart and I want more. It’s so great. This novel makes my top ten best books I read in 2011 list! Mark this one on your TO BE READ list immediately.

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

Title: Queen of the Dead
Author: Stacey Kade
Hardcover, 288 pages

Expected publication: June 7th 2011 by Hyperion Book CH (first published May 31st 2011)
Series: The Ghost and the Goth #2
Source: ARC Tour

Plot:
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.

My Thoughts:

I really liked Ghost and the Goth--stories from mean girls points of view rock, but I have to say I think I actually enjoyed the sequel, QUEEN OF THE DEAD, more than the original story. Will's voice and personality made this story for me. Guy first person perspectives are rare, and when done well they can totally put a fresh spin on a story. Alona and Will's feelings really come through in this novel, which is so important to me because I am a romance junkie. If there's no romance in a story, it kinda fizzles for me.

Now I won't tell you what happens, but let's just say it'll be interesting to see how they deal with the outcome of the problem of the book in the next installment. Seriously, it was a brilliant twist. Hooked me and now I just have to know more. Kudos Ms. Kade for another rockin' book!

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Title: Haunting Violet
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication: June 21st 2011 by Walker Books for Young Readers
Source: ARC

Plot:

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.


Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

My Thoughts:

In the last year or so I've read a few books set in the late 1800s. That was a huge time period for people doing seances and talking to the dead. Haunting Violet takes place during this time and our main character, Violet, is wrapped into that world. Violet's mother leads fake seances in order to make a living and at the beginning of the novel we find Violet taking on a role in the family business.

Things go as planned until Violet actually starts seeing ghosts and discovers there is a murder that needs to be solved.

Historical paranormal novels aren't my favorite, but this one keep me interested. The pacing was good and the writing was fresh. I also enjoyed the romance that developes between Violet and her mother's assistant, Colin. Colin has been around Violet forever, so this isn't one of those novels where they lock eyes and things happen. Their romance is sweet and seems genuine.

Read this if you like ghosts, historical novels and paranormal in general.

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton - ARC Review

Title: Blood Magic
Author: Tessa Gratton
Hardcover, 416 pages

Expected publication: May 24th 2011 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Series:The Blood Journals #1
Characters: Nick Pardee, Silla Kennicot

Plot:

This page-turning debut novel will entice fans who like their paranormal romances dark and disturbing. It's a natural next-read for fans of Stephanie Meyer, Carrie Jones, and Becca Fitzpatrick. But instead of mythical creatures, blood magic has everything to do with primal human desires like power, wealth, and immortality. Everywhere Silla Kennicott turns she sees blood. She can't stop thinking about her parents alleged murder-suicide. She is consumed by a book filled with spells that arrives mysteriously in the mail. The spells share one common ingredient: blood, and Silla is more than willing to cast a few. What's a little spilled blood if she can uncover the truth? And then there's Nick—the new guy at school who makes her pulse race. He has a few secrets of his own and is all too familiar with the lure of blood magic. Drawn together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick must find out who else in their small Missouri town knows their secret and will do anything to take the book and magic from Silla.

My Thoughts:

I'm a sucker for a dark, gothic romance and I totally got that in this novel. I loved Silla and Nick. Blood Magic has alternating chapters from both character's point's of view, so you totally get inside their head and get to see how they tick. My favorite part of alternating chapters is having first person prospective from a different point of view. We get to dive into the internal thought that goes behind the dialog.

The plot twist was great!! There was a nice spin that kept me hooked. I will say things happened a little quick, so I had to re-read a couple scenes to make things click, but the description and emotion was enough to get me through those tiny little parts.

This one is a must read for paranormal romance junkies!

After Midnight (The Youngbloods #1) by Lynn Viehl - ARC Review

Title: After Midinght (TheYoungbloods #1)
Author: Lynn Viehl
Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: May 8th 2011 by Flux
Source: ARC

Plot:

Sophomore Catlyn Youngblood is used to the nomadic existence she and her two older brothers have shared since the death of their parents. When they settle down for good in the sleepy backwoods town of Lost Lake, Florida, Cat thinks they might finally fit in. Instead, they're shunned by the locals.


While riding her horse late one night, Cat meets an enigmatic and handsome boy named Jesse Raven. Even more strange than her overpowering attraction to him is Jesse's apparent aversion to the sun. As their attraction intensifies, long-kept secrets come to light. Cat learns that the Ravens are a centuries-old vampire clan . . . and worse still, that she and her brothers are descendents of Abraham Van Helsing, the world-famous vampire hunter. Mortal enemies by blood, the two families do all they can to keep them apart. But Cat and Jesse will risk everything to be together—including death.

My Thoughts:

If you've read my past reviews, you know I am a serious sucker for paranormal romance. This book is full of it. Yes, I will tell you parts of the this relationship feels rushed. They become too gah-gah for each other a little soon. However, I still love it when two characters are willing to do anything for each other. Abandon their families, chance dying or whatever it takes to be together. It totally adds to the romance.

There really isn't any elements that make it stand out among other YA paranormal romances I've read, but that didn't keep me from enjoying this one. The element that makes Cat and Jesse mortal enemies was a nice touch though. I love the VanHelsing story as well as the movie with Kate Beckinsale and Hugh Jackman.

Read this one if you like paranormal romance.