Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent #2
Publisher: HarperTeen (HarperCollins)
First published: May 1st, 2012
Source: Bought
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 525

Goodreads Summary:

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

This review might include spoilers for Divergent.
Click here to read my review for Divergent.

My Rating: 4.5 / 5

First thoughts:

Immediately following the events of the first book, Insurgent makes it very easy to get back into the story that so many people already fell in love with. We get to meet the many diverse characters again that turn this series into such an addiction and despite the novel's length, I read it in one day and never felt the need to put it away and take a break.

I shiver. The way he talks about getting out - it's like he thinks we're trapped. I never thought about it that way before, and now that seems foolish. (p. 3)*

More detailed:

Like so many others, I loved Divergent and was very happy when I finally got the chance to read its sequel. And I'm happy to be able to say that Insurgent lived up to my expectations and pulled me back into its dystopian world quite easily by showing me what's happened to its characters and giving me answers that I didn't even know I was looking for.

Tris and Four's relationship developed a lot in Insurgent, even though it isn't always easy for them to follow their heart. The dystopian world requires both of them to make choices they'd rather not make which complicates their feelings for each other more than once. But especially because of that I felt like their relationship is very realistic, even though I can't help but wish that things will be easier for them in the future.

He slides his hand over my cheek, one finger anchored behind my ear. Then he tilts his head down and kisses me, sending a warm ache through my body. I wrap my hands around his arm, holding him there as long as I can. When he touches me, the hollowed-out feeling in my chest and stomach is not as noticeable. (p. 12)*

Insurgent is full of surprising twists and turns and ends with one of the worst cliffhangers I have encountered this year. Some of the things Veronica Roth revealed in this second instalment of her series made me gasp and grip the book more tightly, hoping that these new problems might solve themselves more easily than other previous ones. No such luck though, which of course makes this series so special.

Of course Insurgent is just as packed with action and heartbreak as its predecessor and will make readers turn its pages as fast as humanly possible. Tris' narration is still very easy to follow and in combination with these perfectly flawed characters it will secure its place on many favorite lists, including mine.

He grabs the woman's wrist, yanking her forward so she loses her balance. She hits her head against the edge of the table and falls. Across the room, a gun goes off, someone screams, and everyone dives under the tables or crouches next to the benches. Everyone except me. (p. 81)*

All in all, Insurgent is the perfect second book in a series that has already pulled in many readers and will attract even more. It has the perfect amount of action, suspense, mystery, heartbreak and romance that kept me interested throughout its 525 pages, but gives me even higher expectations for the third book.

Buy this book:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Have you read Insurgent? If yes, what did you think about it?

If no, do you plan to read it?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Carina

* All quotes are taken from a finished hardback copy of Insurgent by Veronica Roth, published by Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins), ISBN: 9780062024046.

Review: Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Series: Defiance #1
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins)
First published: August 28th, 2012
Source: Edelweiss
Format: eARC
Pages: 416

Goodreads Summary:
Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

My Rating: 3.5 / 5

First thoughts:

Even though my expectations for Defiance weren't completely met, it turned out to be an exciting and enjoyable read that will appeal to both, dystopian and fantasy fans. Some parts of the story felt too dragged out for me, but the world building never failed to captivate me and ensured that I continued reading.

More detailed:

It's hard to define whether Defiance is a fantasy or a dystopian novel, but it turns out that it's not necessary to put a name on its genre. C.J. Redwine has created a very interesting world of darkness, fear and tyranny that is unique for me so far. I'm definitely intrigued to find out more about it in the next installment of this series.

My main problem with Defiance is that I never truly felt connected to its characters. While I was hoping that their problems would get solved, I was never too invested in them and did not care too much about what might happen to them. Sadly though, I have to love the characters to be able to love a book.

The love story was sweet, but slightly naive and predictable. They are an interesting and heart-warming couple, but considering that I didn't worry about them as characters, I also didn't feel much for them as a couple. Nonetheless I definitely liked that the story was told from both of their points of view, even though I have to admit that I preferred Logan's storytelling.

All in all, I still enjoyed Defiance even though I had higher hopes for it. The world building is the part that I definitely liked most and would probably the main reason for me to pick up a sequel in the future. I also know of many readers who liked it a lot more than I did, so don't let my criticism stop you from picking a copy up and developing your own opinion.

Challenge(s):

Debut Author Challenge 2012

Buy this book:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Have you read Defiance? If yes, what did you think about it?

If no, do you plan to read it?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Carina

Review: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Series: Sweet Evil #1
Publisher: HarperTeen (HarperCollins)
First published: May 1st, 2012
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback
Pages: 447

Goodreads Summary:
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?

My Rating: 5.0 / 5

First thoughts:

This novel broke my heart and only put it together to break it again, turning this into one of the most bittersweet love stories that I have read so far. With a very interesting angel / demon lore and a love interest that will make every girl swoon, Sweet Evil was impossible to put down and didn't take long to secure its place in my list of favorites.

More detailed:

After having read the awesome summary, stared at the gorgeous cover, and read so many raving reviews for Sweet Evil I had extremely high expectations and couldn't help but grin while reading it as I realized that every single expectation was actually met. This turned out to be one of my new all-time favorites and I can't wait to find out how Anna and Kaidan's story will continue.

While I always seem to have lots of luck when picking up angel stories, I am very happy that Sweet Evil can be added to the list of awesome angel novels, together with e.g. the Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand. But in constrast to that one, Sweet Evil has a delicious seductive feeling to it which makes it even harder to put it down and think about something else but Kaidan Rowe.

Sweet Evil is definitely an awesome read for anyone who prefers a slightly more grown up Young Adult story, because Anna and Kaidan's interactions will definitely make you want to switch places with Anna and enjoy this half-demon's touches and kisses.

As a main character, Anna is very likeable with a voice that's easy to listen to and that ensures that you experience the things right along with her. The discoveries she makes about herself and the world aren't the easiest to digest, but she doesn't change her moralities and tries to be the person she always envisioned herself to be.

The other characters we are introduced to are very diverse and while some of them are not people you'd ever like to meet, I fell in love with some of the others. Especially some of the Nephilim Anna meets are quite three-dimensional characters that I'm sure will be intriguing to find out even more about in the sequel.

All in all, I'd love to force everyone to read this book because it's just as amazing as everyone has been saying. I know that some people have problems finding angel books they like, so if you're one of them you should definitely give Sweet Evil a chance. And if you're just looking for your next favorite read, get a copy as well. I don't think anyone will be disappointed by Wendy Higgins' debut novel.

Challenge(s):

Debut Author Challenge 2012

Have you read Sweet Evil? What did you think about it?
Do you plan to read it?

I'd love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to leave a comment below!
Carina

Review: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
Series: Starcrossed #2
Publisher: HarperTeen (HarperCollins)
First published: May 29th, 2012
Source: Edelweiss
Format: eARC
Pages: 487

Goodreads Summary:

Can true love be forgotten?

As the only Scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies’ cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen’s sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Click here for my review of Starcrossed (#1).

My Rating: 3.5 / 5

First thoughts:

After having loved the first book of Josephine Angelini's debut series, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of the sequel. Sadly I didn't feel as passionate about Dreamless as I was left a bit disappointed by the characters. Nonetheless it was still a lovely read, especially because of the wonderful usage of Greek mythology and the quite exciting storyline.

More detailed:

While I couldn't get enough of the characters in Starcrossed, I sadly lacked the necessary connection to them now. My favorite character didn't appear often enough for me and even though Orion, who we are introduced to in Dreamless, might be a somewhat good substitute, I missed a feeling of being happy to meet these characters again.

I'm not exactly sure why I'm suddenly not in love with these characters. Mostly it's just a "feeling" that's hard to describe - maybe my expectations have changed during the last year. I think they were all a bit too one-dimensional for me since their thoughts constantly revolved around the same things, making it a bit tiring to listen to their thoughts.

But like I said above, I definitely enjoyed reading Dreamless despite my problems with its characters. Josephine Angelini is using Greek mythology in a very refreshing way and whenever we get to find out another clue to the complete puzzle, it was a little bit like Christmas for me. I absolutely love (Greek) mythology and found that it's used very believable in this series.

Another thing I really liked is the plot line itself. There weren't any real dull moments since something was happening (mostly going wrong) all the time, without being too overwhelming though. Especially during the last third, Dreamless was hard to put down and I can't wait to find out what Josephine has in store for us in the next book.

All in all, I'd definitely recommend Dreamless for everyone who already liked Starcrossed. Don't be scared off by my attitude towards the characters - and even if you might feel similar, the plot line and the mythology definitely balance out that deficit. I'll definitely continue reading this series and am already looking forward to the sequel.

Challenge(s):

YA Mythology Challenge 2012

Have you read this series already? What did you think about it?

Do you plan to read it?

Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

Carina

Review: Until I Die by Amy Plum

Until I Die by Amy Plum
Series: Revenants #2
Publisher: HaperTeen (HarperCollins)
First published: May 8th, 2012
Source: Edelweiss
Format: eARC
Pages: 357

Goodreads Summary:
Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

My review for: Die For Me (book 1)

My Rating: 4.0 / 5

First thoughts:

Since Die For Me was one of my favorite reads of 2011, I was dying to read Until I Die, of course, to find out how this beautiful love story set in Paris would continue. Focussing on the obstacles Vincent and Kate have to break through to face a somewhat happy future, Until I Die scratches on the surface of an even more detailed Revenant-lore and I'm looking forward to find out more!

More detailed:

There is no doubt that I enjoyed Until I Die, although I have to admit that I didn't fell in love with it as much as I did with the first book of this lovely series, Die For Me. But especially this cliffhanger ending, which the synopsis isn't exaggerating about, will make sure that I'll pick up the third installment of this series as soon as it's available, hoping that everything will end up being good for the characters I've fallen in love with.

Kate and Vincent's relationship is the obvious focus of Until I Die. They have to face many obstacles, especially his immortality and her humanity. And even though this is not a new topic in the Young Adult genre, I found it to be done quite well. They're both trying to find ways to ensure a life together, scared that his need to save humans might destroy their future.

While I loved seeing them deal with these problems, I was a bit disappointed that it took up about three quarters of the story. I would have loved to see more foreshadowing concerning the "new and surprising enemy", would have loved to have more action and more fear of the bad guys - not just relationship-angst. Because of that my definite favorite part is the last quarter when the pace finally picked up.

Nonetheless I overall enjoyed reading Until I Die immensely. While I might not be completely happy with the plot, I wasn't bored at all. Maybe it's because I still loved the characters so much (I would have preferred to see more of Jules though) or because Amy's writing could make me fall in love with a cookbook, but I never felt the need to put it away to read something else.

As you might already guess, I'd definitely recommend you to pick up this series if you haven't or to definitely read the second book if you liked the first one. Until I Die might suffer a tiny bit from being the typical "middle book" of a series, building up the anticipation for the final installment, but I can't help still loving this series. I want the third book, If I Should Die, now!

Have you read Until I Die? What did you think about it?
Do you plan to read it?
Carina

Review: Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
Series: Hemlock #1
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins)
Expected Publication: May 8th, 2012
Source: Edelweiss
Format: eARC
Pages: 400

Goodreads Summary:
Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

My Rating: 5.0 / 5

First thoughts:

With its captivating mystery and interesting take on a world that has to deal with werewolves, Hemlock turned out to be an incredibly addicting start to a series I can't wait to continue. Despite its paranormal elements, this novel has a very realistic feel to it which makes it very easy to connect with the characters and be afraid of the things that might happen to them.

More detailed:

I've been wanting to read more and more werewolf-novels for a while now and put Hemlock onto my to-read list immediately after reading its summary for the first time. Then, more and more very positive reviews started to appear on various blogs and my need to read it got even worse. Luckily my expectations for Kathleen Peacock's debut novel were met: it's fantastic.

We're introduced to Mackenzie, or just Mac, during a horrible part of her life. Her best friend Amy has just been killed by a werewolf and Mac's life as she knew it starts to unravel slowly. I absolutely adored how real Mac seems to be. While she continues to fight for everything and everyone she believes in, she isn't exaggeratedly kick-ass - there are still moments when she feels as though her complete world is breaking apart and I loved her for it.

There are many other characters involved in the mystery of Amy's gruesome death and while some of them will surprise you positively, others will rip your heart out and make you wonder "why the hell you didn't see this coming." What I love most is that you can't sort these characters into black or white - evil or good - categories: even the most awful character has a reason for his behaviour, which makes every characterization very realistic.

The love story is another aspect which sets Hemlock apart from other, similar-sounding Young Adult novels. I don't want to tell you too much, but I was more than happy to find out that I didn't have to deal with yet another brooding but handsome new guy at school (no matter how often I already fell in love with that plotline in the past). Mac's love story is refreshing but heart-breaking and I loved every second of it.

All in all, I wish I could force everyone to read this book. Since I can't, I can only recommend you to pick up a copy of this bittersweet tale of grief, friendship and slowly blossoming love. I devoured Hemlock as fast as possible and am waiting impatiently for its sequel now, hoping that I'll find out soon which turns Mac's life will take in the future.

Challenge(s):

Debut Author Challenge 2012

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Read the first 91 pages of Hemlock.

Have you read Hemlock? What did you think about it?
Do you plan to read it?
Carina

Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins)
Expected Publication: April 24th, 2012
Source: Edelweiss
Format: eARC
Pages: 445

Goodreads Summary:
Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

My Rating: 4.0 / 5

First thoughts:

Ending up to be so much more than its summary promises, Unraveling was impossible to put down. Science-Fiction meets murder mystery in an exciting adventure to find the right answers to the right questions - as soon as possible. If you're looking for a real page-turner which won't let you stop thinking about it, then this might be the perfect next read for you.

More detailed:

Despite being obviously longer than usual YA novels, it wasn't hard for me to devour Unraveling within a day. It probably helped that I didn't need to go to university and decided to spend some time relaxing - but this novel was the perfect read for me that day. I rarely put it down and kept turning its pages, hoping to find out answers to the endless questions that plagued me, and the book's characters.

This book doesn't sugarcoat anything. If you're expecting a story that will be kind to your new favorite characters and will treat them carefully, don't pick up Unraveling. I cried, I screamed and I was very angry at this book during certain situations and when you do as I'm recommending and will read it, too, then you'll feel similar. But a novel that can provoke such emotions is always a very good book, in my opinion.

Janelle's life is turned upside down within the blink of an eye. Literally. In one second, she still sees a truck driving towards her, in the next second she opens her eyes and sees Ben Michaels leaning over her, changing her life forever. I love Janelle - she is a kick-ass female main character, without being too tough to be unbelievable. Her narration was incredibly easy to follow and I could identify with her immediately.

My only excuse for not rating Unraveling with five stars would be the fact that the romance didn't get enough attention. Janelle and Ben are such a wonderful couple, sadly star-crossed though, and I would have loved if there were a few more obvious moments in which their relationship could have developed. But for people who love to focus on the mystery than the romance, this will be perfect.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Unraveling. With surprising twists and turns it managed to captivate my attention all the time and made it almost impossible to put it away and do something else. It's a wonderful debut and I definitely hope that we'll get to see more of Janelle's adventures - especially since this ending left me hanging a little bit. There are still many things I need to find out and I'd love to spend more time in the world Elizabth Norris created.

Challenge(s): 

Debut Author Challenge 2012

Have you read Unraveling? What did you think about it?

Do you plan to read it?

Carina

Review: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
Series: Masque of the Red Death #1
Publisher: Greenwillow (HarperCollins)
Expected Publication: April 24th, 2012
Source: Edelweiss
Format: eARC
Pages: 320

Goodreads Summary:

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

My Rating: 3.5 / 5

First thoughts:

Intrigued by reviews of trusted bloggers, I decided to give Masque of the Red Death a chance even though its summary didn't appeal to me immediately. It turned out to be an enjoyable and fast read, set in a scary but interesting world. Despite the diverse characters, I sadly missed a connection to the story though, and even though I'm curious to find out how Araby's story will continue, it was easy for me to put this book aside.

More detailed:

Having never read the original story by Edgar Allan Poe, I was unsure what to expect of Bethany Griffin's Masque of the Red Death. The summary already suggested a morbidity of some sort, but I was still surprised by the world Araby is living it. Death has become an everyday-topic after the plague, which is still lethal to everyone who isn't wearing a mask, decimating the population radically.

I've read many reviews that said that Araby was a bit too whiny for the reader. I actually felt different. Her loss was huge and even though she was trying to cope in somewhat incomprehensible ways, I could understand her behaviour. And maybe it was because I was prepared by reading the reviews, but I didn't find her sadness to be too overwhelming or even annoying.

Araby develops to be a fairly strong character, fighting for her life even though she would have given it up freely a while ago. It's great to witness her development and her interactions with the other characters, especially April, Elliot and Will. Their relationships aren't easy and you can never be sure whom to trust and who will turn out to betray someone else.

I'm a bit on the fence when it comes to the love triangle. Elliot and Will are both, complete opposites and quite similar. Their feelings for Araby are intense, but at the same time she's not the only important thing for either of them. I'm glad to finally see love stories that aren't blind - these characters have to make decisions they might not even like, but at the same time they cannot choose otherwise.

My only problem with Masque of the Red Death was the fact that it was easy to put away. While I enjoyed reading Araby's story a lot, I didn't feel the need to spend every free second I have reading it. I liked its characters, but didn't fall in love with them. I didn't crave this story and this is what makes me rate it 3.5 - I was missing a certain connection.

But all in all, it was a very enjoyable read nonetheless. I'm definitely looking forward to find out what will happen to these characters now and I'm intrigued by the world Bethany Griffin built. Masque of the Red Death might not be my favorite novel, but it's definitely one I'm fond of and that I can recommend to others, who are looking for an entertaining read with a great world-building and unusual characters.

Goodreads | Website | Twitter
Read the first 67 pages of Masque of the Red Death online.

Have you read Masque of the Red Death? What did you think about it?

Do you plan to read it?

Carina

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Series: Everneath #1
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins)
Expected Publication: January 24th, 2012
Source: NetGalley
Format: eARC
Pages: 384

Goodreads Summary:
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 Rating: 4.5 / 5

First thoughts:

I love mythology and with her debut novel Everneath, Brodi Ashton has delivered a very unique approach. Soon I was bewitched by the Everneath and pulled into the story by the unusual use of ancient myths. I devoured this novel as fast as possible and fell in love with its heartbreaking beauty.

More detailed:

Everneath is a wonderful novel, which makes me want to get my hands on the sequel as soon as possible. Nikki Beckett spent hundred years in the Everneath and returns to her old life to realize that only six months have passed on the Surface. She didn't come back to stay though, but to try to make amends and maybe find redemption before being claimed be the Everneath forever.

While reading Everneath time passes faster than usual as Brodi Ashton's style of writing and pacing never slows down and keeps the reader's interest. The beginning might be a little bit confusing, but in retrospect I loved the fact that we get to witness the key moment immediately and no time is wasted with unnecessary introductions.

I'd hate to be in Nikki's situation and I truly felt for her. It took a while for me to get used to the first-person narration from her point of view, because it felt a little bit rushed in the beginning, but soon I got used to it and was able to identify with Nikki and her feelings.

I'm not really sure what to feel about either love interest. While I have developed a huge weakness for Jack and how he (and often just his presence) helped Nikki to cope and to fight, I have to admit that there's something special about Cole as well. But I'd love to get to know the latter a bit more, because at the moment it's hard to say just how far his feelings for Nikki go.

All in all, Everneath is a must-read for 2012. Once I was finished I pre-ordered a finished copy of this, because this does not only have an incredibly gorgeous cover, but a wonderful story that I can't wait for to be continued. If you love unqiue takes on mythology, be sure to get a copy soon - you'll definitely like it!

Challenge(s):

Debut Author Challenge 2012 

YA Mythology Challenge 2012 

Find Brodi Ashton and Everneath online:

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Have you read Everneath already? What did you think about it?
Do you plan to read it?

Carina

Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Series: Under the Never Sky #1
Publisher: HarperCollins
First published: January 3rd, 2012
Source: NetGalley
Format: eARC
Pages: 400

Goodreads Summary:
Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.

My Rating: 4.0 / 5

First thoughts:

This is a very addictive story with a beautiful and very realistic love story, interesting characters and a world which is both scary and intriguing. Veronica Rossi has created a wonderful novel and I need to find out how her characters' journey will continue. 

More detailed:

Under the Never Sky starts out quite slow and makes it a little bit hard to connect to the characters or the plot. I have talked to other bloggers and I'm not the only one who felt like this. But after some time, the pace picks up and we get to know the characters and the world they're living in a lot better, which in return makes the story a lot more interesting.

At the beginning, the world of Under the Never Sky is slightly confusing. Aria lives in Reverie, an enclosed city which is supposed to protect its inhabitants from the dangerous outside, The Death Shop. To make their life more comfortable they can visit virtual places, the Realms, which they can access with devices called Smarteyes. It took a while for me to understand the basics of this world, but once I did, I loved the idea.

The story is told from two points of view: from Aria's and from Perry's. I love books who are told from different points of view, because it makes it possible to understand the characters a lot better. Both of them are very relatable characters with easy voices to follow. Their narrations make it lovely to witness this story and I can't wait to read more about them.

I loved the development of their relationship. At the beginning, prejudices make Aria and Perry hate each other and turn their journey into a very difficult one. But when they get to know each other better, they grow closer. It's a very realistic love story. You can witness how their feelings towards each other change over time and when they finally acknowledge them, it put a huge smile on my face.

The ending of Under the Never Sky is very beautiful, but it also made me want to have the second book immediately. I'm happy that I continued reading despite the somewhat slow beginning, because I definitely fell in love with Veronica Rossi's writing, her characters and the plot of this story. I need the second book of this series immediately and already ordered a finished copy of this for my shelf.

Challenge(s):

Debut Author Challenge 2012 

Find Veronica Rossi online:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads

Have you read Under the Never Sky? What did you think about it?

Do you plan to read it?

Carina

Short Story Review: Things About Love by Jackson Pearce

Things About Love by Jackson Pearce
in Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions
Publisher: HarperCollins
First published: September 20th, 2011
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback
Pages: 78 - 106

Short Summary:

This short story is set in the universe of Jackson Pearce's novel As You Wish. We meet Lawrence who has been assigned Juliet, a genie and his new guard. While Juliet wants to find out more about human emotions and, most importantly, what it's like to love, Lawrence wants to fall in love himself - but he can't seem to find the right candidate.

My Rating: 5.0 / 5

What I thought about it:

This is definitely my favorite short story of this anthology so far. It made me want to read As You Wish and others of Jackson's books immediately. Her writing is fantastic and I was pulled into this short story immediately.

Lawrence and Juliet are very intriguing characters, who are very easy to relate to. This short story is told from points of view and makes it a lot easier to understand the reasons for their behaviour and their background stories.

As the title already suggests, this is a story about love. About finding out what it feels like and about wanting to feel it. It's beautiful, it's heartbreaking and it's hopeful. Things About Love is a wonderful short story and makes this anthology even more special.

Other short stories from this anthology which I've already reviewed:

Giovanni's Farewell by Claudia Gray
Scenic Route by Carrie Ryan
Red Run by Kami Garcia

Have you read any of Carrie Ryan's novels? What did you think about them?

Carina

Short Story Review: Red Run by Kami Garcia

Red Run by Kami Garcia
in Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions
Publisher: HarperCollins
First published: September 20th, 2011
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback
Pages: 57 -77

Short Summary:

In Red Run we meet Edie, a young girl who wants to take vengeance for her brother's death by killing the ghost who has killed him. But when she finally meets said ghost on the Red Run, the road where her brother and five other teenagers were killed, she finds out that nothing is like what it seems.

My Rating: 4.5 / 5

What I thought about it:

I already really enjoyed the first two short stories of this anthology and Red Run continues in making this a very enjoyable book. A few small excerpts from Edie's past make it easy to understand the current situation she is in and let the reader identify with her decisions.

The setting of this story, the Red Run, is creepy which made me try to read as fast as possible. At the moment I'm very fond of scary novels and Kami Garcia's short story is perfect for this mood. But again, I wish this were longer, but that's a problem I have to live with since I knew what I was getting myself into by buying an anthology.

All in all, Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions continues to be a wonderful distraction from learning or other important things I should be doing and it makes me want to try out different new authors, including Kami Garcia.

Other short stories from this anthology which I've already reviewed:

Giovanni's Farewell by Claudia Gray
Scenic Route by Carrie Ryan

Have you read Enthralled or anything written by its authors? What did you think?

Carina

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Series: Unearthly #2
Publisher: HarperCollins
Expected Publication: January 17th, 2012
Source: NetGalley
Format: eARC
Pages: 416

Goodreads Summary:
For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

My Rating: 4.5 / 5

First thoughts:
Since I fell in love with Unearthly completely, I had high expectations for its sequel. And Cynthia Hand didn't disappoint me: her writing style is still just as gorgeous, making me feel everything Clara feels and making me cry. I can't wait for the third book in this series, which is definitely one of my favorite series.

More detailed:

In Hallowed we continue to follow Clara on her journey to find out more about her purpose and what it's like to be an angel-blood. The information we get about some aspects of her life are often huge surprises I never expected, making me turn the pages as fast as possible - especially towards the end.

It's hard to write this review without giving away too much. So many interesting things are happening during this novel and still I'm left with uncountable questions which make the wait for the third novel unbearable. Especially the character development during Hallowed was intense, making me see new sides to some characters, which forced me to change my opinion about them.

The most intriguing part about Hallowed was the love triangle. I'm one of those people who occasionally enjoy a well written one, but after finishing Unearthly I had always been scared of Clara developing any serious feelings for Christian. I'm a Tucker girl and in some way I still am after reading Hallowed, but Cynthia Hand managed to make me curious about Christian. I'm definitely looking forward to see how Clara's feelings will develop in the third novel.

I had read a few reviews for Hallowed before starting it myself and all of them told me that it is a very sad novel. After finishing it, I can completely agree with everyone. Clara is often confronted with much sorrow and pain and reading these parts made me cry. But for me, crying because of a book means that this book is exceptionally well written and this definitely applies to Hallowed.

All in all, this is a wonderful sequel to Unearthly. I still love the first book more and the much information might seem a little bit boring for some readers, but Hallowed made sure that this series is still one of my favorites. If you liked the first book, you should definitely pick up the second. And if you haven't even read Unearthly, you need to change this as soon as possible!

Books in this series:

1. Unearthly
2. Hallowed

Have you read Hallowed? What did you think about it?

Do you plan to read it?

Carina

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperCollins
First published: November 15th, 2011
Source: Bought
Pages: 338

Goodreads Summary:
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

My Rating: 4.5 / 5

First thoughts:
Thanks to uncountable positive reviews for this novel, I had high expectations when starting it that could have been disappointed easily. But Tahereh Mafi delivered a wonderful dystopian story with a paranormal twist that will leave you wanting more. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for the next installment of the series.

More detailed:
Shatter Me is set in a very intriguing dytsopian world. Juliette can still remember a life that has been similar to our own. But their world changed fast, no longer able to provide enough food and other necessities. In return, The Reestablishment, a movement with questionable motives, took over, saying that they're the only ones who are able to help everyone survive.

Juliette, whose touch can cause a pain for other people which can also lead to their death, had been locked away by The Reestablishment to prevent her from inflicting pain on anyone. But with a new cellmate her life starts to change rapidly and she finds herself in a situation she had never expected.

The people she meets are very intriguing. Of course I've developed a crush on Adam quite fast - he's an amazing character, almost a little bit too perfect. And while I usually have a thing for the bad guy, I have admit that I'm not so sure how I feel about Warner. He takes being the bad guy to a whole new level and I don't think I'm too comfortable with that; even though he's hot.

My favorite thing about this novel definitely is the writing. Thanks to other reviews I already expected it to be beautiful, but it was completely mind-blowing instead. Just Tahereh's very unique style of writing would be reason enough to put her onto my list of favorite authors.

So why didn't I rate this 5/5? I can't tell you why exactly, just that all of these reviews made me expect something more. While reading it, it felt as though there is some little detail missing which would make me want to put it onto a list with my other 5-star books like Anna and the French Kiss, Hourglass or The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.

All in all, Shatter Me lives up to the hype and presents us an intriguing world with characters I want to find out more about. If you haven't got a copy of this novel yet, you should definitely do so; it's a 2011-must-read. I'm sure that, like me, you will not regret it but fall in love with a new series.

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Have you read Shatter Me? What did you think about it?

Do you plan to read it?

Carina

Short Story Review: Scenic Route by Carrie Ryan

Scenic Route by Carrie Ryan
in Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions
Publisher: HarperCollins
First published: September 20th, 2011
Source: Bought
Pages: 29 - 56

Short Summary:
This short story is set in the world of Carrie's The Forest of Hands and Teeth novels. The sisters Margie and Sally are hiding in a cabin and spend their time making plans for their next trip, the next time they need to hide again. While being there, they meet Calvin who has an intention that is hard to define.

My Rating: 4.0 / 5

What I thought about it:

I haven't read anything written by Carrie Ryan before, but I'm so happy I got to read this short story now. So far I've heard good things about The Forest of Hands and Teeth and I love the glimpse into this world I got in this short story.

Scenic Route shows me a world which is both, scary and fascinating at the same time. Margie and Sally's struggle for survival is heartbreaking, but at the same time I really enjoyed witnessing their interactions. Even though this is a short story, it's evident how much they care about each other.

Calvin is a lovely addition to Scenic Route as well. I would have loved to find out more about him, but considering the length of this story it probably wasn't possible. I'll definitely take a closer look at Carrie's novels now - Scenic Route makes me want to spend more time in this world.

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Have you read any of Carrie Ryan's novels? What did you think about them?

Carina

Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Hereafter by Tara Hudson
Publisher: HarperCollins
First published: June 7th, 2011
Source: Bought
Pages: 404

Goodreads Summary:
Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

My Rating: 4.5 / 5

First thoughts:

I have not read many ghost stories, but Hereafter made me want to read more. It's a lovely and heartfelt story about two people who have a unique connection and have to face many obstacles to be together. I loved every moment I spent in this world and I'm looking forward to see what will happen to Amelia and Joshua.

More detailed:

Hereafter is a wonderfully written story that captivated me and constantly made me hope that its characters will find their happy ending. Tara Hudson managed to create a beautiful world with her words and I couldn't get enough of her writing. Just this would be enough to love this novel, but the story itself was just as amazing.

Both, Amelia and Josh are amazing characters. After everything she experienced, Amelia still was a lovely voice to listen to and a relatable character. It was lovely to watch how her existence slowly develops into a life and how she starts to piece the puzzle of her past together and finds out who she is and what happened to her.

Joshua is a very great guy and I loved how his relationship with Amelia grew into something important - slowly. While their feelings for each other develop quite soon, they don't rush things and their connection seems believable. Of course I was thrilled to find out that their relationship is one of the forbidden sort and I'm excited to find out whether they will manage to stay together - which I'm desperately hoping for.

All the other characters we get to meet play important roles as well. Not all of them are likeable and I'm afraid that some will pose a huge problem for Amelia in the future, but Hereafter wouldn't be the same without them. In my opinion it's a great achievement when an author has managed to make the reader interested in finding out what the unlikeable characters have planned.

All in all, Hereafter does not only have a gorgeous cover but is a fantastic story based on a unique idea and I'm sure that many people will fall in love with it like I did. I'm glad that this is part of a trilogy because I'm not yet willing to leave this world and I'm looking forward to find out whether Amelia and Joshua will get their happy ending.

Following books in the series:

2. Arise (June 5th, 2012)
3. Elegy (2013)

Have you read Hereafter? What did you think about it?
Carina

Review: Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
Publisher: HarperCollins
First published:
Oct 4th, 2011 (US); Oct 27th, 2011 (UK)
Source: Received from UK publisher
Pages: 340

Goodreads Summary:
A move to Ireland is about to introduce Megan to her destiny, her real destiny, can she embrace it and will she survive it?

A tragedy in Megan’s past set her on a predetermined course. A chain of events has been set in motion that brings Megan to Kinsale, a small town in the south of Ireland where her destiny awaits her. Her life starts to fall into place as she makes new friends and settles into her new school. However, the reclusive and distant Adam DeRís calls to her body and soul.

She finds herself increasingly drawn to Adam and his strange family. Adam knows a secret from her past and he and his family hold the key to her future. A future that binds her to Adam and his world, a world of power, mystery and ancient orders. A world that unbeknownst to her, she very much belongs in.

My Rating: 4.0 / 5

First thoughts:

Combining a few aspects of various different types of YA novels, Carrier of the Mark is a delightful story that kept me interested and introduced me to a wonderful world of magic. While it's not one of the most unique stories, it's a great and very fast read and might appeal to many readers.

More detailed:

Carrier of the Mark is a very well written novel with intriguing characters and a world that I would love to find out more about. Its love story is beautiful and addicting, its characters are likeable and very easy to relate to.

Megan, our main character, tells us her story (first person narrator) of moving to Ireland and meeting the mysterious Adam DeRís and his family. Within the first pages it was possible to relate to her and her situation and it was easy to get to know her better. She has a lovely voice and I'm definitely looking forward to read more of her story.

The other characters who are introduced in this story are great as well. Adam reminds me a little bit of the typical YA hero, but he is a very likeable and swoon-worthy love interest at the same time. But I also liked his family (Rían, Áine and Fionn) and Megan's best friend Caitlin a lot which is a very positive aspect - I love it when authors are capable of making secondary characters very important for me.

Of course I also enjoyed the setting of Carrier of the Mark: Ireland. Two years ago I've been to Dublin with my English course and I'm remembering this trip very positively. And this made reading this novel - especially those parts which were set in Dublin - an amazing experience and made me want to go back to Ireland immediately.

The only thing that I didn't like as much was the fact that I was able to see a lot of parallels to Twilight, maybe Starcrossed as well. As I said above, the story line isn't the most unique and the way some things happened were a little bit clichéd. But Leigh Fallon managed to incorporate some magical elements that really intrigued me and made up for the similarity to other novels.

All in all, Carrier of the Mark is, despite using a few Young Adult clichés, a great novel that is easy to read and will captivate its readers and make them want to know what will happen next. I'm happy that I gave this novel a chance even though I had read a few mixed reviews and I would advise you to do the same.

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Have you read Carrier of the Mark? What did you think about it?
Carina

Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Publisher: Harper Collins (UK) (, Putnam (US))
Expected Publication: September 29th, 2011
Source: Received from UK publisher
Pages: 372

Goodreads Summary:
The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

My Rating: 4.5 / 5

What I thought about it:

The Name of the Star is a breath-taking story with an intriguing main character and a style of writing that will transfer you into another world - or rather into another city. Sadly I've never been to London, but Maureen Johnson's descriptions of the places she's taking us to are very vivid and easy to imagine. After reading this novel I felt like I've actually been in London.

Our main character Aurora, who demands to be called Rory, has a very refreshing voice. The story is told from her point of view by a first-person narrator and she was so much fun to read about. To me, she is not one of the stereotypical YA protagonists. She comes from a small town whose inhabitants seem to be a little bit weird, but I got the feeling that she's proud of that. Her sense of humour is great and her reactions to the things she experiences are completely understandable.

The secondary characters were just as interesting as Rory. On the one hand, there are Jerome and Jazza, the friends she meets at boarding school and who are representing the people who don't know anything about the paranormal activity around them. And on the other hand, there are Stephen, Callum and Boo whose interactions I loved to read about and whom I can't wait to see more of in the future.

While I have not read many ghost stories yet, I could already see that this is different than most of them. Seeing ghosts is a lot more creepy in The Name of the Star than in any of the other novels and this is what I loved so much about it. Of course this was enhanced by the mystery of Jack the Ripper and the fear and the gruesome merriment of London's inhabitants.

The ending of this was very action-packed and had a very interesting twist when I didn't expect it. I'm very much looking forward to see what will happen to Rory, and all the other characters, now. I'm especially hoping for a little bit more romance in the future. All in all, The Name of the Star is a very unique and beautiful story that you should definitely read. It was creepy and really well written, so give this series a chance.

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Have you already read The Name of the Star? What did you think about it?
Are you going to read this?

Carina