Daire had just turned 16 and the visions she's been having for years become more frequent and more real. Her single mother has no idea how to help her, and the two are left with two options. Either institutionalize Daire to get her "hallucinations" under control, or send her to her father's mother's house in Enchantment, New Mexico. Her grandmother claims to know about Daire's visions, and that she can help control them. Daire soon comes to find out that she is a Soul Seeker, and trying to outrun her fate is impossible. The story goes to discover more about Daire's family's history and what Daire's destiny as a Soul Seeker means for her. You also are trying to figure out how two twin brothers, Cade & Dace, will affect Daire's fate.
The story took a little bit of time for me to get into, but after about 50 pages I was hooked. There are a lot of different elements to the story that I didn't quite expect. All of the characters have a lot of development, and there still seems to be so much more to figure out. I felt myself emotionally connecting to the story. The descriptions really pull you in. I think the most interesting part of the story to me is the relationship between Daire, Cade, & Dace. There is an interesting dynamic to the three, and I'm sure there is a lot that will be discovered in later books about just how complicated their connection is.
I liked how the ending of the book wrapped up the story line/conflict that was the main focus of this particular book, but it set it up really well for another conflict to arise (I'm assuming the basis of the second book). It made me excited to read the next book in the series, to see what happens next. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Up Next: Echo (Soul Seekers #2) - Alyson Noel
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
The Darlings in Love (The Darlings #2) - Melissa Kantor
Second book in the series, The Darlings in Love picks up at the start of the spring semester of freshman year. There was a bit of a time gap between where the previous book ended and where this one began, but the author was quick to fill you in on anything that happened in that time. I liked how the storylines from the first book were continued into the second book, but they weren't repetitive. The author really built on the foundation from the first book to create new conflicts in the second.
I particularly related to Jane's character in this book. I felt that the things she dealt with were the most realistic, or that more people could relate to. The other 2 characters got a bit melodramatic in this one (although they are freshmen in high school, so that could be why). This book ended with several loose ends (or what I perceived to be loose ends). Also, based on what the characters have done in the past, I felt that the ending wasn't exactly in line with what those characters would do. I'm hoping that there will be another book in this series (which would justify the ending). If not, then I think this will be the first time I'm disappointed in Melissa Kantor's writing. I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the first one, so I'd give it 3.5 stars out of 5.
Up Next: Fated (Soul Seekers #1) - Alyson Noel
I particularly related to Jane's character in this book. I felt that the things she dealt with were the most realistic, or that more people could relate to. The other 2 characters got a bit melodramatic in this one (although they are freshmen in high school, so that could be why). This book ended with several loose ends (or what I perceived to be loose ends). Also, based on what the characters have done in the past, I felt that the ending wasn't exactly in line with what those characters would do. I'm hoping that there will be another book in this series (which would justify the ending). If not, then I think this will be the first time I'm disappointed in Melissa Kantor's writing. I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the first one, so I'd give it 3.5 stars out of 5.
Up Next: Fated (Soul Seekers #1) - Alyson Noel
The Darlings Are Forever (The Darlings #1) - Melissa Kantor
I've read a number of books by Melissa Kantor, but it's been quite a while since I've picked up one of her books. I saw this one (and its sequel) when I was browsing the shelves of my local library and decided it would be a good read. I have to say, it was a good decision. It went by pretty quickly, but it was a very good book.
It's about 3 best friends (Victoria, Natalya, and Jane) who have been best friends for a long time and have always gone to the same school. Now that they are starting high school, they are all 3 going their separate ways. The book follows the three as the venture out on their own, forge new friendships, take on new adventures, all while trying to maintain their friendship. Their motto for their group is to "Do what you're scared of doing". I love how this was applied throughout the story. I also enjoyed how the characters were developed in a realistic way. I could relate to each of the characters in some way, and it made it easier to relate to all of the things they were going through.
While I knew that there was already a sequel, I enjoyed the ending of the book. It wrapped up most of the loose ends from the story, but I could tell that it was leaving it open for another book to follow. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Up Next: The Darlings in Love (The Darlings #2) - Melissa Kantor
It's about 3 best friends (Victoria, Natalya, and Jane) who have been best friends for a long time and have always gone to the same school. Now that they are starting high school, they are all 3 going their separate ways. The book follows the three as the venture out on their own, forge new friendships, take on new adventures, all while trying to maintain their friendship. Their motto for their group is to "Do what you're scared of doing". I love how this was applied throughout the story. I also enjoyed how the characters were developed in a realistic way. I could relate to each of the characters in some way, and it made it easier to relate to all of the things they were going through.
While I knew that there was already a sequel, I enjoyed the ending of the book. It wrapped up most of the loose ends from the story, but I could tell that it was leaving it open for another book to follow. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Up Next: The Darlings in Love (The Darlings #2) - Melissa Kantor
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Winds of Salem (Beauchamp Family #3) - Melissa de la Cruz
Third and final (as far as I know) book in the Beauchamp Family series. This book picks up right after Freya has been pulled back to Salem in the 1600s during the heat of the Salem Witch trials. Her family is trying to figure out how to get her back, since the portals of time seemed to close up right after she left. Also, we see the conclusion of the story of how Freddie's trident got stolen, who destroyed the Bofrir bridge, and who was behind the entire plot all along.
I enjoyed how most of the loose ends throughout the series were tied up in this book. The only part that I wasn't completely satisfied with was the resolution of the Freya/Balder/Loki love triangle. I feel like this story line was focused on quite a bit in each of the novels, so I was expecting a better resolution in the final book. I appreciated the twist in Freddie's story and the decisions made with Ingrid's story. I was even happy about Joanna & Norman's fate. I'm still irked about Freya's story. It's almost as though the author couldn't decide what to do, so she left it very vague. If you can't tell from my other posts, one of my pet peeves in books is when the ending goes unresolved. I understand some people enjoy the vague endings, letting their imaginations run wild imagining the possibilities of what could happen to the characters in the future. I am not one of those people. A little room for interpretation is fine, it's inevitable in every work of fiction. But if you're going to have a major story line throughout a series, please do me (and I'm sure quite a few others) the favor of resolving that story line.
Another thing I particularly enjoyed about Winds of Salem was that it was partially set in Salem during the witch trials. I liked that historical fact was mixed in with the fiction writing. I liked that there was a bit of a different perspective given to the whole affair (or at least a different perspective from what I've heard/read). It was interesting to have the book go back and forth from 1692 to the present day, so you could see how all of the story lines were unfolding in relation to one another.
If you've read the other 2 books in the series, then this book is a must-read. If you haven't read the other books in the series, I suggest you read them! It's a well-written series, with a very interesting plot line. It has the elements of fantasy, magic, love, friendship, and family. I give this particular book 3.5 stars out of 5, but I would give the series as a whole 4.5 stars out of 5. Definitely worth reading!
Up Next: The Darlings Are Forever (The Darlings #1) - Melissa Kantor
I enjoyed how most of the loose ends throughout the series were tied up in this book. The only part that I wasn't completely satisfied with was the resolution of the Freya/Balder/Loki love triangle. I feel like this story line was focused on quite a bit in each of the novels, so I was expecting a better resolution in the final book. I appreciated the twist in Freddie's story and the decisions made with Ingrid's story. I was even happy about Joanna & Norman's fate. I'm still irked about Freya's story. It's almost as though the author couldn't decide what to do, so she left it very vague. If you can't tell from my other posts, one of my pet peeves in books is when the ending goes unresolved. I understand some people enjoy the vague endings, letting their imaginations run wild imagining the possibilities of what could happen to the characters in the future. I am not one of those people. A little room for interpretation is fine, it's inevitable in every work of fiction. But if you're going to have a major story line throughout a series, please do me (and I'm sure quite a few others) the favor of resolving that story line.
Another thing I particularly enjoyed about Winds of Salem was that it was partially set in Salem during the witch trials. I liked that historical fact was mixed in with the fiction writing. I liked that there was a bit of a different perspective given to the whole affair (or at least a different perspective from what I've heard/read). It was interesting to have the book go back and forth from 1692 to the present day, so you could see how all of the story lines were unfolding in relation to one another.
If you've read the other 2 books in the series, then this book is a must-read. If you haven't read the other books in the series, I suggest you read them! It's a well-written series, with a very interesting plot line. It has the elements of fantasy, magic, love, friendship, and family. I give this particular book 3.5 stars out of 5, but I would give the series as a whole 4.5 stars out of 5. Definitely worth reading!
Up Next: The Darlings Are Forever (The Darlings #1) - Melissa Kantor
Monday, January 20, 2014
Wayfarer (Faery Rebels #2) - R.J. Anderson
It has been a while since I read the first book in this series, so it took me a little bit to get back into the storyline. Wayfarer picks up quite a while after the first Faery Rebels book ended (about 14 years later). This book focused on another one of the faeries from the Oak (Linden), and her quest to help out her fellow faeries by regaining their magic.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book was that it included some of the main characters from the first book, but also introduced/developed new characters that were particular to this storyline. Like the first book, Wayfarer focused on the interactions between humans and faeries. The difference (that I found to be interesting) was that this book got deeper into the relationships between faeries and humans, and showed more of their dependence on one another. Wayfarer had more action, more relationships, and the ending was set up well for the next book in the series.
In Wayfarer you get to see Linden develop and grow into a more mature faery. You also get to meet several new groups of faeries that weren't present in the first book. This book was hard to put down, and I am very eager to read the next book in the series (Arrow). I give Wayfarer 4 out of 5 stars.
Up Next: Winds of Salem (Beauchamp Family #3) by Melissa de la Cruz
What I particularly enjoyed about this book was that it included some of the main characters from the first book, but also introduced/developed new characters that were particular to this storyline. Like the first book, Wayfarer focused on the interactions between humans and faeries. The difference (that I found to be interesting) was that this book got deeper into the relationships between faeries and humans, and showed more of their dependence on one another. Wayfarer had more action, more relationships, and the ending was set up well for the next book in the series.
In Wayfarer you get to see Linden develop and grow into a more mature faery. You also get to meet several new groups of faeries that weren't present in the first book. This book was hard to put down, and I am very eager to read the next book in the series (Arrow). I give Wayfarer 4 out of 5 stars.
Up Next: Winds of Salem (Beauchamp Family #3) by Melissa de la Cruz
Sweet 16 - Kate Brian
I should start this by saying I am a HUGE fan of Kate Brian. I've read a majority of the books she has written. I'm usually very impressed with her writing and how she can make a seemingly predictable teen/YA novel turn into something more. I feel that Sweet 16 was no exception to that.
Sweet 16 is about a spoiled girl throwing her Sweet 16 birthday party, and starts out by showing you what a spoiled brat she really is. The story goes on to talk about her party until the main character (Teagan) falls down a flight of stairs. The story goes on in a Christmas Carol-like quality, teaching Teagan lessons about who she is and how her decisions affect her future and those around her. There were a few unpredictable twists that kept the story interesting.
The way Teagan's character was developed was mostly believable, and even though you hated her at times you could still relate to her. The family dynamic that was established made you sympathize with the characters, and I found it to be a good addition to the main storyline.
This book was another hit for Kate Brian. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars (the only reason I didn't give it 5 is because I have seen some others by Kate Brian that were even better than this one). Another quick read, but definitely worth it.
Up Next: Wayfarer (Faery Rebels #2) by R.J. Anderson
Sweet 16 is about a spoiled girl throwing her Sweet 16 birthday party, and starts out by showing you what a spoiled brat she really is. The story goes on to talk about her party until the main character (Teagan) falls down a flight of stairs. The story goes on in a Christmas Carol-like quality, teaching Teagan lessons about who she is and how her decisions affect her future and those around her. There were a few unpredictable twists that kept the story interesting.
The way Teagan's character was developed was mostly believable, and even though you hated her at times you could still relate to her. The family dynamic that was established made you sympathize with the characters, and I found it to be a good addition to the main storyline.
This book was another hit for Kate Brian. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars (the only reason I didn't give it 5 is because I have seen some others by Kate Brian that were even better than this one). Another quick read, but definitely worth it.
Up Next: Wayfarer (Faery Rebels #2) by R.J. Anderson
Friday, January 17, 2014
Reality Check - Jen Calonita
This story is about 4 best friends living in a small town who get picked to have their own reality TV show. The main character, Charlie, is meant to be the "star" of the show. However, her friend Brooke wants the spotlight to herself so she can get out of their small town. The other two friends, Hallie & Kieran, are what I consider "accessory" characters. They're not developed quite as much, but they still add to the story. The girls all think the reality show will be fun, and a good way to earn money for college. But of course, reality TV isn't what they think it will be and it takes its toll on their friendship.
The characters were easy to relate to. The group had a pretty typical composition: the ringleader, the spotlight stealer, the boy crazy one, and the boring one. Each girl fit her stereotype, and stuck with it throughout the entire book. I appreciated that the characters stayed true to themselves, whether that was good or bad.
While I found most of the plot to be predictable, I still enjoyed the story. I also liked how the author ended the book. It tied up the loose ends of the story, but it did so in a believable way. This type of book (dealing with friends/fame) has been pretty popular, especially since there are so many reality shows out there. This one was on par with most of the other ones I've read. I wouldn't say there was anything particularly spectacular about it, but still a good read. I give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5.
Up Next: Sweet 16 by Kate Brian
The characters were easy to relate to. The group had a pretty typical composition: the ringleader, the spotlight stealer, the boy crazy one, and the boring one. Each girl fit her stereotype, and stuck with it throughout the entire book. I appreciated that the characters stayed true to themselves, whether that was good or bad.
While I found most of the plot to be predictable, I still enjoyed the story. I also liked how the author ended the book. It tied up the loose ends of the story, but it did so in a believable way. This type of book (dealing with friends/fame) has been pretty popular, especially since there are so many reality shows out there. This one was on par with most of the other ones I've read. I wouldn't say there was anything particularly spectacular about it, but still a good read. I give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5.
Up Next: Sweet 16 by Kate Brian
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