All That Glows by Ryan Graudin Review

Name: All That Glows
Author: Ryan Graudin
Publisher: HarperTeen
 Release Date: February 11th, 2014
Format: E-Book ARC
Buy the book on Amazon
463 pages

Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.

When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.

Goodreads

My Review:
I wasn't really sure what to expect when I picked this book up, I heard mixed things but I decided to dive into it and go from there. I'm SO glad I gave this book a chance-I really enjoyed All That Glows. I thought the characters were interesting and unique, and the story was very different then what I have been reading lately.

I'm a huge sucker for YA books that combine magic with the real world-so I especially loved how Ryan Graudin was able to tie in both the British royalty and the Fae world into one. I thought the way she told the story was so unique-especially the part about the Fae being guardians for the royals..which definitely was interesting! I also really liked Ryan's writing style..I thought this book was well written and had the right amount of action, romance, and suspense!

What I really also loved about this book was the characters! I thought Emrys was a really strongwilled character, and wasn't afraid to fight for what she believed in. Richard, at first, was really annoying and immature. Luckily, as the book went on he grew up and definitely learned how to be a prince, and become a good king. I thought his relationship with Emrys was really sweet-and they balanced each other very well which I really liked. 

Overall, I really enjoyed All That Glows! I recently learned that this series will actually be a sequel which is SO EXCITING! I can't wait to check it out the next installment. If you are looking for a paranormal romance with fae and royals, definitely give this book a shot.

p.s. check out my author interview I did with Ryan back in the fall here

My Rating:

Waterfell by Amalie Howard Review and Giveaway!

Name: Waterfell

Author: Amalie Howard

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: October 29th, 2013

Format: E-Book ARC
Buy the book on Amazon

Summary:

The Girl Who Would Be Queen

Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father's betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa's upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age. 

Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa's mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?

Goodreads

My Review:
Overall, I really enjoyed Waterfell by Amalie Howard! It was a great new take on the genre of mermaids and science fiction (mixed with realism of course!).

At first, I thought this was going to be the typical mermaid story, but I was so mistaken once I continued reading this book! I really loved how the author was able to make a spin on the "classic mermaid tale" making the story unique and different. I thought the plot of this book really was fantastic..it was fast paced and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I also really liked how descriptive Amalie Howard was with her characters. I really could imagine the characters while I read the book and that definitely was a great aspect.

I thought that the characters developed really well throughout the novel. Nerissa was a really great character and I thought she was a very relatable character. She is going through problems that regular teenagers face (school, falling in love) but also has to deal with the fact that she is an exiled mermaid princess!

Overall, I really enjoyed Waterfell! It definitely was a refreshing take on a genre that I love, and I can't wait for the next book in the series!

My Rating:

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

Name: The Bitter Kingdom

Author: Rae Carson

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Release Date: August 27, 2013

Format: E-Book
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Summary:
The epic conclusion to Rae Carson's Fire and Thorns trilogy. The seventeen-year-old sorcerer-queen will travel into the unknown realm of the enemy to win back her true love, save her country, and uncover the final secrets of her destiny.

Elisa is a fugitive in her own country. Her enemies have stolen the man she loves in order to lure her to the gate of darkness. As she and her daring companions take one last quest into unknown enemy territory to save Hector, Elisa will face hardships she's never imagined. And she will discover secrets about herself and her world that could change the course of history. She must rise up as champion-a champion to those who have hated her most.

Goodreads

My Review:

Recently, I've found myself afflicted by what I've come to call "Trilogy syndrome." Basically, I find a new YA trilogy and the first book is amazing; so I wait eagerly for the second one...and it's a disappointment. Disillusioned; I read the third one anyways, and find myself regretting my decision to start the series at all. But The Bitter Kingdom - the final book in Rae Carson's excellent Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy - is a huge exception. I'm not surprised, but I am extremely excited that it lived up to my expectations. 

Seriously, though, this book and this trilogy has everything I love: a smart, strong heroine who it's honestly impossible not to root for (her character development over the course of the series is insane and so realistic); a world so well-built that I actually felt like I was living in it, and a romance that had me absolutely glued to the pages. Side note: I love how Hector isn't Elisa's first love/"soulmate," but rather someone she chooses to be with because she knows what mature love is. Their relationship is somehow dynamic and dramatic without being scary or unhealthy at times. I don't know how Carson managed it, but I am not complaining.

In terms of plot stuff; I don't want to give too much away. Let's just say that Elisa learns a lot more about her supposed destiny and heritage; and the book's message of choosing your own fate and the amazing things one person can accomplish is reinforced. The conflict between the Inviernos and Elisa's realm is very well done; as is the direction Carson chooses to take it. 

Overall, I would recommend not just this book, but the entire trilogy. And not to a specific audience, either: to everyone who reads YA at all. Yeah, it's that good; and indeed my only regret about finishing so quickly is that it's over now. I can't wait to read Carson's future novels. She's an absolutely tremendous talent; and I hope she continues to create dynamic, well-drawn YA worlds and characters. 


My Rating:

Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan

Name: Unspoken

Author: Sarah Rees Brennan

Publisher: Random House

Release Date: September 11, 2012

Format: E-Book
Buy the book on Amazon

370 pages

Summary:
Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

Goodreads

My Review:

Binge-reading YA books like I did this summer means that, over time, I started to notice patterns in stories. Eventually, I became a caricature of myself, predicting plot twists and love interest drama with the cynical air of an old lady yelling at crazy kids to get off their lawn/start making out already. That metaphor was doomed before it began, but you see what I mean. And then, once in a while, a book comes along that knocks me out of that generic YA slump - a book that actually makes me feel something. For me, that book was Unspoken. 

I'd like to make it clear straight up that the summary of this book is a little bit misleading. From that; it's easy to glean that it's just a simple love story about a boy and a girl who can hear each others' voices in their minds. Only it's really dissecting a common paranormal YA trope of violated privacy; and I love Sarah Rees Brennan for being unafraid to show just how creepy that can be. Kami, the main character, is seen as crazy for her defense of this imaginary friend who's always talking to her in her mind; and when he's revealed to be real, things only get worse, not romantic. Imagine for a second that there was a person who could see into your mind - a person who knew all your terrible thoughts and deepest secrets. Brennan's message is effective, but simple: nobody should have that kind of power over anyone else. 

You'd think that, with such a serious overall message, this book would be heavy; but another reason I loved it so much - and was so torn up over the emotional, angsty stuff - was how funny it actually was. Kami, the narrator, is hilarious; and more than once I had to read a sassy line or a joke to whatever poor soul happened to be sitting next to me while being like "guys, this is so funny, you should totally read this book!" The cast of supporting characters is also stellar - Brennan goes to great lengths to set up a gang of friends so that even when adventures turn dark; someone can spit out a sassy one-liner that perfectly encapsulates the situation. 

Although I would highly recommend Unspoken (and the sequel comes out at the end of this month, so yay!), I would like to caution against one thing: the ending is...interesting. And by interesting I mean there isn't really any sort of resolution; and it left me kind of emotionally destroyed. Because Brennan really makes you care about her characters...and then tears your heart to shreds in the best and worst ways possible. So don't say I didn't warn you.

But yeah; overall, if you like snarky narrators, well-rounded supporting characters, a great setting, mystery and intrigue, and, of course, hot, mysterious dudes with brooding personalities, go read Unspoken. 

My Rating:

Fae by C.J. Abedi Review

Name: Fae

Author: C.J. Abedi

Publisher: Diversion Books

Release Date: July 30th, 2013

Format: E-Book ARC
Buy the book on Amazon

471 pages

Summary:
The battle between Light and Dark is about to begin. 

Caroline Ellis sixteenth birthday sets into motion a series of events that have been fated for centuries. A descendant of Virginia Dare, the first child born in the lost colony of Roanoke, and unaware of her birthright as the heir to the throne of the Light Fae, it isn’t until she begins a tumultuous relationship with Devilyn Reilly that the truth is revealed. 

Devilyn is the only one of the Fae who is both of the Light and of the Dark, and struggles to maintain that precarious balance to avoid succumbing to the power of the Dark within him. He is the only one who can save Caroline from those who would destroy her and destroy all hope for unity among the Fae. He promises Caroline that he will protect her at all costs, even when it means protecting her from himself. 

Told from the alternating perspectives of Caroline and Devilyn, FAE draws on mysteries, myths and legends to create a world, and a romance, dangerously poised between Light and Dark.

Goodreads

My Review:
Having heard mixed reviews about Fae, I decided to still give it a try because it sounded so intriguing from the summary. I am so glad that I did!! Overall, I really enjoyed Fae; it had suspense, romance, and some AWESOME mythology!

I really loved how the authors were able to use the legend of the Roanoke colony into this book. I thought it was really interesting to see how that tied in with the story as a whole and I really liked it. I did think though, however, the writing was a little bit shaky and confusing at times. It was a little hard to follow with the alternating perspectives between Caroline and Devilyn, but I did really like how we were able to see things from both of their perspectives.

I really felt that this book was more of a "background" book in the series if that makes any sense. We got a lot of information about the characters and their lives, but the action didn't pick up till the end of the novel. I hope that the next book in the series has more action in it! I also really enjoyed the relationship between Caroline and Devilyn. You could really see how much he cared for her and I liked seeing the various scenes in which they interact. Caroline was also a really great female heroine...she definitely wasn't weak whatsoever and thought she was headstrong and not afraid to take risks.

Overall, Fae was a great headstart to an interesting series! I can't wait to see what happens next and how the story progresses..and hopefully their will be more action scenes!
 
My Rating:

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa Review

Name: The Lost Prince (The Call of the Forgotten # 1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Release Date: October 23, 2012
Format: E-Book ARC
Buy the book on Amazon
379 pages

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Summary:
Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

Goodreads

My Review:
I wasn't really sure what to expect from The Lost Prince when I first started reading it. I LOVED The Iron Fey series so I was hoping this book would continue the magic that was in the series about Ethan's sister, Megan Chase. I am SO glad that The Lost Prince brought us right back in the land of Faery, and was a really strong book.

What I liked about the Lost Prince was that the plot wasn't predictable at all. It wasn't too fast and I never knew what to expect which was really great! It was definitely nice to see the character of Ethan grow, especially since we only knew a little bit about him from the Iron Fey series. It was great seeing him develop throughout the story, and I liked seeing his various encounters in the land of Faery. It was also so nice to see the return of some old characters; including Ash and Meghan!! I was a little bit sad that they weren't in this book more, but I have to move past the Iron Fey series ending and get use to the introduction of new characters.

I also love how Julie Kagawa was able to really use some awesome imagery in the describing Nevernever. I really could imagine all of Ethan's adventures in my head and I could really picture everything she was describing. Everything that Julie writes is so well written, and I found it hard to put this book down when I started it!

I know it's taken me awhile to review this book (with the craziness of school and such), but I am so glad I finally got around to read The Lost Prince! I can't wait for the next book in the series and find out more about the "forgotten."

My Rating:

Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout Review

Name: Cursed
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: September 18th, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Buy the book on Amazon
288 pages

Summary:
Dying sucks-- and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. 
However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't? But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not have been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

Goodreads

My Review:


Jennifer L. Armentrout has does it again, with another amazing YA fantasy romance book!  The reader cannot help but feel caught right from the beginning and all the way through to the very last page.  JLA has a way with writing YA romance scenes, broken, overprotective boys, and strong female characters, all of which she does an excellent job with in this book!

Ember has been dealt a truly unfair hand in life: she has a father who died in the car accident that almost killed her as well, she has a mother who is basically catatonic and just sits around the house all day, she has to care for her five-year-old sister, Olivia (who has the gift of bringing anything dead back to life) all by herself, she is constantly ridiculed, tormented, and called a freak during school, and not to mention that after her sister brings her back to life, anything (or anyone) that she touches immediately dies.  Ember spends part of the book feeling sorry for herself (which, I mean, I can't really blame her for), but even when she doesn't believe in herself she still remains a strong character.  She does not let anyone else tell her what to do, and when Jonathan Cromwell and his adopted son Hayden bring her and her family to their house of strange kids with "gifts", she may go with them, but she doesn't do so willingly.  Throughout the entire novel, Ember is always fighting to make sure her ideas and instincts are not only heard, but believed in.

Of course, one of the best parts about this book was the romance between Ember and Hayden!  It was absolutely wonderful to watch the progression of their relationship; after all, what kind of intimate relationship can they have if no part of Ember's skin can come into contact with Hayden's?  However, Hayden also has an interesting gift, and after some time and a great deal of arguing, the two make things work.  Hayden turns out to be another great JLA boy: lovable, sweet, caring, broken, and most importantly willing to do anything to make sure his love, Ember, is never hurt.  Probably partly due to the fact that Ember cannot touch Hayden without killing him, the two were really able to get to know each other as people before they did as partners, and I really enjoyed watching them learn about each other.

Although this book was a great read, it definitely was not as good as JLA's other two series, Lux and Covenant.  The entire middle of the book seemed to drag out a little slowly, but it was surrounded by an intriguing beginning and an absolutely thrilling ending.  I am unclear about whether this book is a series or a standalone, but I really hope that it is a series because I still have many questions about Ember's world that will take several more books to answer!  Either way, fans of romance and fantasy books (and especially those who love JLA) should definitely check out this book!

My Rating:

The Iron Prophecy by Julie Kagawa Review

Name: The Iron Prophecy
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: September 1st, 2012
Format: Purchased E-Book
Buy the book on Amazon

Summary:
Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child…

A novella from the bestselling Iron Fey series.

Goodreads

My Review:
Hi everyone!! I'm baaack! I know it's been awhile since I've done a review but now that I've gotten into the swing of things at school I will be posting reviews more regularly/actually being activate in the blogging world! Anyways..enough about me and let's talk about this book!

The Iron Prophecy was a really great addition to the iron fey series! Was a little bit shorter than I expected but I was really glad to be thrown back into the world that Julie Kagawa so brilliantly describes. One of the best parts about the Iron Prophecy is that we finally got to see more of Ash and Meghan! After the amazingness of the Iron Knight, I thought that Ash and Meghan's story was over (at least in the series) and I wished to read more about them. I am so glad that Julie decided to tie things up a bit more in this short novella! I'm really glad that we get to see how Meghan and Ash are handling married life and what's in story for them next.

I really think this story is the PERFECT set up for the next series of novels that Julie is going to be starting: The Lost Prince. It really sets the stage for the next book and we get to learn a little bit about Megan and Ash's child (YAY!). We also get to learn more about Ethan which is really nice because he is the main character in The Lost Prince.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Iron Prophecy! It was quick and short, but it was beautifully written and got right to the point! I can't wait to start reading The Lost Prince :)

My Rating:

The Diviners (Diviners # 1) by Libba Bray Review

Name: The Diviners (Diviners # 1)
Author: Libba Bray
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 18th, 2012
Format: ARC copy
Buy the book on Amazon
608 pages

Summary:
Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

Goodreads

My Review:

The Diviners has quickly become one of my favorite books of the year and of all time!  I completely devoured this book, with its beautiful writing (courtesy of the ever brilliant Libba Bray), carefully constructed plot, disturbing mystery, captivating romance, imaginative fantasy, and enthralling characters.  It was as though I was afraid that if I put this book down, even for a moment, the gruesome killer would choose me as its next victim, or, even more terrifying, the book might disappear forever before I could finish it.  The Diviners had me in its grasp within the first chapter and I have been unable to stop thinking about it since!

I was completely in awe of how Libba Bray was able to make this book about supernatural powers on one page, a creepy and gruesome murder mystery on the next, and then a totally normal, old-fashioned romance on the page after.  All of the varying story plotlines and characters were woven together perfectly by the end of the book, making a fantastic and unforgettable book.
 

Evie, the protagonist, is a seventeen year old with a unique personality.  When I think of this young girl, the first thing that comes to mind is that she certainly lives her life to the fullest; she is a fun-loving and humorously sarcastic character who always tries to dwell on the positive.  However, Evie also has a deeply sad temperament that is always hiding beneath the surface, which has to do with her mysterious power, and is the reason for her somewhat excessive need to drink and party.  Some of the minor, yet equally intriguing characters include Memphis, Theta, Jerico, Uncle Will (whom Evie calls “Unc”), Sam, Mabel, and Henry, each of whom harbor their own, often supernatural, secrets.  These characters are completely fleshed out and realistic, all with their own special quirks.
 

I felt that this book was mainly split into two separate parts that ended up coming together in what appeared to be an effortless and faultless way: the old fashioned world of partying and romance, and the supernatural, disturbingly eerie murder mystery.  Evie is completely immersed in each world, helping her uncle solve the murder during the day while never missing a night out partying.  However, while Evie’s life running around old-fashioned New York City was captivating and well-told, the part of the story that truly did it for me was the murder mystery.
 

In the book, there is a variety of what appears to be cult murders throughout the city, all surrounding a strange bible and a myth regarding someone named Naughty John.  The spine-chilling little tune that always accompanies the murderer goes like this: “Naughty John, Naughty John, does his work with his apron on.  Cuts your throat and steals your bones, sells them for a couple of stones”.  And if the words alone aren’t enough to raise the hairs on your arm, be sure to check out the eerie tune that accompanies the chilling words in The Diviners book trailer.
 

Overall, this book was an absolutely amazing mix of supernatural, horror, and romance.  It was an intense and wonderful book that only an author as brilliant as Libba Bray could have pulled off.  And boy, did she do a great job!  Everyone should definitely, definitely, definitely pick up a copy of The Diviners as soon as possible!
 

My Rating:
 

 

 

Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles # 1) by Kresley Cole Review

Name: Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles # 1)

Author: Kresley Cole
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: October 2nd, 2012
Format: ARC copy
Buy the book on Amazon
384 pages

Summary:
Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can’t do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side....

Goodreads

My Review:

I was very, very surprised by how much I loved this book!  After looking at the cover and reading the description on the back, I was reluctant to read this; I only picked it up in the first place because I wanted a quick book to read, and The Poison Princess had received a great review on Goodreads.  However, it only took about ten pages for me to realize that I was going to absolutely love this book.

Let me just start off by saying that I wholeheartedly love Jackson Deveaux!  He is a classic hot bad boy with a history of being a player and a horrible (oftentimes flat out mean) attitude, though he always has a reason for the way he acts.  Jack is a Cajun player who comes from the wrong side of the tracks and shows up to the first day of school with a flask of alcohol that he openly drinks, whereas Evie, his beautifully naïve counterpart and the protagonist, is an overly friendly popular girl who dates the football star and waves to every single person in the hallway at school.  However, it quickly becomes clear that they both harbor intense secrets and each have painful backgrounds.

Jackson, whom Evie describes as a criminal hardened by life, comes from a very difficult lifestyle: one that is very different from Evie’s.  He was sent to jail at a young age for killing a man, who had been trying to hurt his mother, with his bare hands.  He fends for himself in every way possible and lives his own life.  Evie, on the other hand, was born into a wealthy family and is given everything she wants.  However, the Evie that shows up to school every day as a popular girl is much different than the real Evie.  The real Evie has been classified by her mother as mentally insane, and even sent to an insane asylum for an entire summer because of the apocalyptic hallucinations she has been seeing and the voices that populate her head.  Yet when Evie’s apocalyptic visions prove to be true and most of the world (though, of course, not Jack) is killed, she must team up with the handy Cajun bad boy who has plenty of real life experience if she hopes to survive.

Not only do I love Jackson, but I also love his relationship with Evie.  The two miscommunicate all the time – Jackson believes that Evie only sees him as “the help” and Evie is under the impression that Jackson thinks she is a useless, pampered doll – but that, and their constant bickering, is what makes them such a great couple.  Jackson, who feels very overprotective of Evie from the start, has an odd way of showing his caring nature.  For instance, when Evie’s stomach growls, although she never complains, Jack openly yells at her, saying that the little princess can’t always have five star meals when they are on the run, when he is really upset with himself for not providing enough food for Evie.  Even though he does not always act like it, Jackson loves Evie and would do anything to protect her.  Without giving too much away, I will only say that I definitely enjoyed the way that their relationship, arguments and all, progressed throughout the book.

Although Jackson sees Evie as a useless, pretty girl, she actually has a great deal of power that she is too afraid to confront, for fear of becoming like the “red witch” in her visions, who murders people for the fun of it.  However, when she and Jackson meets other kids like her, each of whom has their own supernatural powers, and they run into trouble on the way, Evie has no choice but to use her powers if she wants to save her life and the lives of those she loves.

I feel as if I could continue writing about this book for another ten minutes – I hardly even breached the topic of Evie’s surprisingly powerful abilities as the Empress, one of the Major Arcana cards of a Tarot deck – but for fear of this review becoming way too long, all I can say is that I completely loved this book and I cannot wait for the sequel! Everyone should definitely read Poison Princess when it goes on sale in October!!

My Rating: