Legacy by Molly Cochran Review

Name: Legacy
Author: Molly Cochran
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: December 20th, 2011
Buy the book on Amazon

When her widowed father dumps 16-year-old Katy Jessevar in a boarding school in Whitfield, Massachusetts, she has no idea that fate has just opened the door to both her future and her past. Nearly everyone in Whitfield is a witch, as is Katy herself, although she has struggled all her life to hide her unusual talents. Stuck at a boarding school where her fellow students seem to despise her, Katy soon discovers that Whitfield is the place where her mother committed suicide under mysterious circumstances when Katy was just a small child. With dark forces converging on Whitfield, it's up to Katy to unravel her family's many secrets to save the boy she loves and the town itself from destruction.-Goodreads

My Review:
At first, I wasn't sure how much I was going to like this book. I haven't really read any books about witches/boarding school because I really wanted to try new books but it was fun to go back to a genre that I did read a lot.
Overall, I really enjoyed Legacy. Certain parts of this book were kind of confusing for me and I found myself having to go back to previous parts in the book to try and figure out what was going on.

One of my favorite parts about this book was the plot. Like I said above, certain parts were confusing to me but the plot was very original and I really enjoyed reading about the different characters in this book.

I really enjoyed the main character, Katy, as well. It was fun to see her character develop throughout the novel and I really liked the way she progressed throughout this book.

If you are looking for a book that has magic/boarding schools you should check this one out!!

My Rating: Three out of Five Stars
 

Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz Review

Name: Spellcaster (Spellbound # 2)
Author: Cara Lynn Shultz
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: March 27th, 2012
Buy the Book: Amazon
384 pages

Much thanks to Harlequin Teen and Netgalley for sending me giving me a copy of Spellcaster to review!!
Finding your eternal soulmate - easy.

Stopping a true-love-hungry evil - not so much…

After breaking a centuries-old romantic curse, Emma Connor is (almost) glad to get back to normal problems. Although...it's not easy dealing with the jealous cliques and gossip that rule her exclusive Upper East Side prep, even for a sixteen-year-old newbie witch. Having the most-wanted boy in school as her eternal soul mate sure helps ease the pain-especially since wealthy, rocker-hot Brendan Salinger is very good at staying irresistibly close....

But something dark and hungry is using Emma and Brendan's deepest fears to reveal damaging secrets and destroy their trust in each other. And Emma's crash course in über-spells may not be enough to keep them safe…or to stop an inhuman force bent on making their unsuspected power its own.-Goodreads

My Review:
I was really happy when I heard that there was going to be a sequel to Spellbound..I really enjoyed the first book in this series so much! Spellcaster definitely didn't disappoint and I liked it even more than the first book in this series!!

One of my favorite parts of Spellcaster was that there was a lot more action in this novel when compared to the first book in the series. It was really interesting to see a different side of Emma and see her learn how to use her magic. While of course I love books that have romance in it, I also liked reading about action/drama between the characters so I really liked seeing that in Spellcaster. I also really loved how the author included more of one of my favorite characters..Angelique!! I really enjoy seeing Angelique interact with the different characters and it was really fun seeing her in this book!

Of course I really like reading about the Emma and Brenden's relationship. It was interesting to see them interact and I really saw them in a whole different light when I look back on the first book in the series.
Overall, I really enjoyed Spellcaster and I hoping for more books in this series!!
 
My Rating: Five out of Five Stars

Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Review

Name: Night Circus
Publisher: Doubleday
Release Date: September 13, 2011
387 pages

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.-Goodreads

My Review:
When I first started this book..I was really really into it!! Halfway through, however, I hit a road block and it was really heard for me to finish this book!

At the start I was really interested in the magic and the mythology of the Night Circus! I really wanted to learn more about the Circus and more about Celia and Marco.
The one thing that really bothered me about this book was that it was so confusing!! There were way to many flashbacks, flash forwards and I couldn't keep up. Also, there were too many characters for me to keep up!!
I did really like the forbidden romance between Celia and Marco and how they interact with different characters.

Overall, while there were certain points to this book that I really liked, I was unfortunately confused and it was hard for me to read at times.


My Rating: Three out of Five Stars

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz Review

Name: Spellbound
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: June 28th, 2011
324 pages

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.-Goodreads

My Review:
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! At times, the plot seemed to be moving a little bit too quick for me but it still worked!

One of the best parts about this book was the plot! It was totally different then other books about magic that I have read and I LOVED that part about this book. It made it very unique. However, some parts of the plot were very predictable which made me sad because I like when books keep me on my toes!

I also enjoyed the relationship between Emma and Brendan. Of course, it was a lot like your typical romance in a book, but it was still fun to read!

So, if your looking for a magical read with romance look no further!

My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber Review

Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy of this book!

Name: Darker Still
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: November 8th, 2011
320 pages


The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing...

Jonathan Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul.-Goodreads

My Review:
I really enjoyed this book!! Once I started it, I did not want to put it down!
When I first heard about this book, I was enamored with the cover! It's gorgeous!
I also thought the plot summary was very interesting. It sounded very different from other paranormal romance books that I have read so I was very excited to give this a shot!

One of the best parts about this book was the plot! It was very unique and I really enjoyed being in the world of 1880s New York City!
I also really liked the main character Natalie! It was interesting to see her change throughout the novel and I really enjoyed watching her progress as a character.

Overall, I highly recommend this book! It was just the right mix of paranormal and romance and I hope you all like it as much as I did!

My Rating: Five out of Five Stars

Crave by Melissa Darnell Review

Name: Crave
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: October 18th, 2011
416 pages
Thank's Netgalley and Harlequin Teen for giving me this ARC to read!


Savannah Colbert has been shunned all her life by the kids of the Clann. And when she undergoes some drastic changes after a strange illness, Savannah learns secrets about the group and about herself—dangerous secrets. For the Clann are powerful magic users, and Savannah herself is half Clann and half vampire—a forbidden, unheard of combination. Falling for Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman isn't just a bad idea—it could be deadly if anyone finds out. But her attraction to Tristan—and his to her—isn't something either of them can resist for long.-Goodreads

My Review:
Wow what a great read! At first, I was a little bit skeptical about this one and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. The beginning was a little bit slow for me, but around 40 pages in things started picking up and I found myself really enjoying this book!

I really liked how original this book was. I haven't read any books about a half witch (or clann members as in this book) half vampire so it was really interesting to see the story unfold.

I also really liked seeing Tristan and Savannah interact throughout the novel! I don't want to give too much away but it was nice seeing their relationship progress throughout the novel!
Overall, I recommend this book looking for some paranormal with a side of romance!

My Rating: Four out of Five stars

Side note: My reviews/posts might be later in the day because of school in such. No worries though I am still going to be posting!

Catalyst (The Passage of Hellsfire, Book 1) by Marc Johnson Review

Name: Catalyst
Publisher: Longshot Publishing
Release Date: March 19th, 2011


For centuries, the kingdom of Alexandria has protected Northern Shala from the monstrous creatures lurking in the Wastelands. Now, a dark force threatens that fragile peace.

Far from home, Alexandria's princess is abducted. When a young villager named Hellsfire stumbles upon her and her captors, he rushes in to rescue her, alone and unarmed. His fear and fury unleash an uncontrollable magical force that grants him the power to save the princess-and change the world.

Hellsfire has never craved nor dreamed of power. But such magic as he now possesses has not been seen in Northern Shala for a thousand years, since the devastation of the War of the Wizards and the creation of the Wastelands.

Now Hellsfire must leave all he's ever known, and make a dangerous journey to learn to master this wild, ferocious power-power he knows he is not ready to wield. More difficult still, he needs to master his emotions. If he can't, the power will consume him, Alexandria will fall, and darkness will eclipse the land, destroying everyone he loves.

In the dead of cold, the spark shall burn..

My Review:

A few weeks ago I received this book from the author to review for my blog and I really enjoyed this book! It had action, adventure and romance! All of the things that I enjoy in a good young adult fantasy novel!

The one thing I did not really enjoy was that the beginning of the book went very slowly and I felt that it was dragging on for too long. But after the beginning, I found myself really enjoying this book!

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves young adult fantasy novels!

My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton Review

Name: Darkness Becomes Her (Gods and Monsters # 1)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
320 Pages

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very…different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.-Goodreads

My Review:

So I have heard some really great things about this book, so I decided to give it a try. Boy am I glad that I did! I really enjoyed this novel!

When I first started this novel I had know clue that it had Greek Mythology in it at all (which is one of my favorite things to read about) and I was surprised/happy to find that this book did!

I really liked the main character Ari! I loved seeing her journey throughout the novel to figure out who she was and I liked seeing her progress as a character.

Overall, if you like paranormal books/Greek mythology/romance, check this book out! You won't regret it!

My Rating: Five out of Five Stars

Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon Review

Name: Dead Beautiful
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Release Date: September 21st, 2010
480 pages

On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Renée Winters was still an ordinary girl. She spent her summers at the beach, had the perfect best friend, and had just started dating the cutest guy at school. No one she'd ever known had died. But all that changes when she finds her parents dead in the Redwood Forest, in what appears to be a strange double murder.

After the funeral Renée’s wealthy grandfather sends her to Gottfried Academy, a remote and mysterious boarding school in Maine, where she finds herself studying subjects like Philosophy, Latin, and the “Crude Sciences.”

It’s there that she meets Dante Berlin, a handsome and elusive boy to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they grow closer, unexplainable things begin to happen, but Renée can’t stop herself from falling in love. It’s only when she discovers a dark tragedy in Gottfried’s past that she begins to wonder if the Academy is everything it seems.

Little does she know, Dante is the one hiding a dangerous secret, one that has him fearing for her life.

Dead Beautiful is both a compelling romance and thought-provoking read, bringing shocking new meaning to life, death, love, and the nature of the soul.-Goodreads

My Review:
I received this book from my library a couple days ago and I could not put it down! Overall, I really enjoyed this book!!

The plot was really unique! I had never read a book like this! It was refreshing to read something different then werewolves or vampires (not saying that I don't like to read them!).

The only problem I had with this book was it seemed to drag on for a little bit. I wish it was a little bit shorter because at times it felt like their were unnecessary parts.

If you love paranormal romance check this book out!!

My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay Review

Name: Juliet Immortal
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Release Date: August 9th, 2011
304 pages

"These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.-Goodreads

My Review:
Since I reviewed the Juliet Spell yesterday, I thought I should keep up the Romeo and Juliet trend and review Juliet Immortal today!

I have read some previous reviews about this book and some people said that if you did not like Romeo and Juliet, you would love this book, while if you liked Romeo and Juliet you would not like this book. I am actually a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet and I really enjoyed this book!

The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the cover! It's so pretty! I actually featured this book a couple weeks ago on waiting on Wednesday!

Anyways, one of my favorite parts about this book was plot. The story was so unique, and I was really intrigued throughout the story. I also really liked the character of Juliet, she was so strong willed and very different then the character in Shakespeare's play.
I also loved the Romeo and Juliet references throughout the novel :)

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was a great summer read and everyone should check it out!

My Review: Five out of Five Stars

The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees Review

Name: The Juliet Spell
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: September 27th, 2011
304 pages




I’m Juliet.

At least, I wanted to be.

So I did something stupid to make it happen.

Well, stupid and wonderful.

I wanted the role of Juliet more than anything. I studied hard. I gave a great reading for it—even with Bobby checking me out the whole time. I deserved the part.

I didn’t get it. So I decided to level the playing field, though I actually might have leveled the whole play. You see, since there aren’t any Success in Getting to Be Juliet in Your High School Play spells, I thought I’d cast the next best—a Fame spell. Good idea, right?

Yeah. Instead of bringing me a little fame, it brought me someone a little famous. Shakespeare. Well, Edmund Shakespeare. William’s younger brother.

Good thing he’s sweet and enthusiastic about helping me with the play...and—ahem—maybe a little bit hot. But he’s from the past. Way past. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.

Still, there’s something about him that’s making my eyes go star-crossed....

Will Romeo steal her heart before time steals him away?-Goodreads

This book was received as an ARC from Netgalley!

My Review:
When I first heard about this book I thought it sounded really interesting, and I thought the cover was amazing! I actually really enjoyed Romeo and Juliet in school so I thought this would be a great fun read!

Overall, I enjoyed this book but at times it felt rushed. I also didn't love the main character, Miri that much. She just did not really stand out as the protagonist for me.

The other thing I did not really like was how Miri's mother reacted so well to have Edmund in her house. It just did not feel realistic at all.

Overall, this was book was a fun read, but it was not what I was expecting.

My Rating: Three out of Five Stars

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa Review

Name: Iron Knight (Iron Fey # 4)
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: October 25, 2011
386 pages
This is an ARC received from Netgalley!



Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.


To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.-Goodreads

My Review:
When I got this book on my kindle a couple of days ago, I literally screamed because I was so excited for this book!!

The Iron Knight is definitely my favorite book out of the whole Iron Fey series! I was not sure how I was going to like it because it was from Ash's point of view, but as I read more and more of this book I found myself loving to hear Ash's side of the story.

One of the best part's of this book was Puck. He is HYSTERICAL. I was laughing almost every single time he spoke! He really is one of my favorite characters!

This book also made me love Ash even more then I did before. He is so dedicated to be with Meghan that he will do anything. Seeing him struggle to get to Meghan throughout the book made my heart break! I was rooting for Ash the whole time throughout the novel, and the end of the book made my heart soar!
Of course I won't give anything away, but I really enjoyed the end of the novel. It was a very satisfying way to end an awesome series!

Can't wait for more books from Julie Kagawa! If you haven't checked out the Iron Fey series you should, and for those who have, I hope you enjoy the Iron Knight as much as I did!

My Rating: Five out of Five Stars

The Marked Son by Shea Berkley Review

Name: The Marked Son
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: August 2nd, 2011
334 pages
Received as an ARC from Netgalley!


Seventeen-year-old Dylan Kennedy always knew something was different about him, but until his mother abandoned him in the middle of Oregon with grandparents he's never met, he had no idea what.

When Dylan sees a girl in white in the woods behind his grandparents' farm, he knows he's seen her before...in his dreams. He's felt her fear. Heard her insistence that only he can save her world from an evil lord who uses magic and fear to feed his greed for power.

Unable to shake the unearthly pull to Kera, Dylan takes her hand. Either he's completely insane or he's about to have the adventure of his life, because where they're going is full of creatures he's only read about in horror stories. Worse, the human blood in his veins has Dylan marked for death...- Goodreads


My Review:
When I started this book last week, I was really into it! The Marked Son was fast paced and mysterious and I was really enjoying it. However, half way through the book I hit a road block. I just could not get myself to like this book that much anymore.

I found it really confusing at parts and I was not really understanding what was happening.

It had so much potential for me, but I just found myself really struggling with this one!
That being said, I still think you should all check it out and give it a chance, not every book is for everyone!

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Warped by Maurissa Guibord Review

Name: Warped
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Release Date: January 11th, 2011
352 pages

Tessa doesn't believe in magic. Or Fate. But there's something weird about the dusty unicorn tapestry she discovers in a box of old books. She finds the creature woven within it compelling and frightening. After the tapestry comes into her possession, Tessa experiences dreams of the past and scenes from a brutal hunt that she herself participated in. When she accidentally pulls a thread from the tapestry, Tessa releases a terrible centuries old secret. She also meets William de Chaucy, an irresistible 16th-century nobleman. His fate is as inextricably tied to the tapestry as Tessa's own. Together, they must correct the wrongs of the past. But then the Fates step in, making a tangled mess of Tessa's life. Now everyone she loves will be destroyed unless Tessa does their bidding and defeats a cruel and crafty ancient enemy.-Goodreads

My Review:

Warped was a really fun read!! The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the cover, isn't it awesome? I love everything about it!
One of the coolest parts about this book was the Tapestry combined with magic. It was really unique and I have never read a book with that in it before!

I also liked the relationship between William and Tessa. It was fun seeing a guy from the 1500s try to be with a girl in the 2000s!

Overall, this was a fun read! If you like paranormal romance this one is for you!

My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Bitter Frost by Kailin Gow Review

Name: Bitter Frost
Publisher: The Edge
Publication Date: June 1st, 2010
235 pages

Based on the Dutch folklore about the Snow Queen and Jack Frost.

All her life, Breena had always dreamed about fairies as though she lived among them...beautiful fairies living among mortals and living in Feyland.

In her dreams, he was always there the breathtakingly handsome but dangerous Winter Prince, Kian, who is her intended. When Breena turns sixteen, she begins seeing fairies and other creatures mortals don't see. Her best friend Logan suddenly acts very protective.

Then she sees Kian, who seems intent on finding her and carrying her off to Feyland. That's fine and all, but for the fact that humans rarely survive a trip to Feyland, a kiss from a fairy generally means death to the human unless that human has fairy blood in them or is very strong, and although Kian seemed to be her intended, he seems to hate her and wants her dead.
- Goodreads

My Review:
When I first received this book on my kindle, I was kind of skeptical. It sounded a lot like the Iron Fey series (which I love!!) so I wasn't sure how much I would like this series. Nevertheless, I was sucked right into this book and I loved it!

Although this book was short (only 235 pages), I found myself sitting down and finishing this book in only three hours!! It was a great fun read, and I also really enjoyed the other books in this series.

Overall, this was a quick fun read and if you liked the Iron Fey series you should check this one out!

My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch Review

Title: The Magnolia League
Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: May 3rd, 2011
368 pages


After the death of her free-spirited mother, sixteen-year-old Alex Lee must leave her home in northern California to live with her wealthy grandmother in Savannah, Georgia. By birth, Alex is a rightful, if unwilling, member of the Magnolia League, Savannah's long-standing debutante society. She quickly discovers that the Magnolias have made a pact with a legendary hoodoo family, the Buzzards. The Magnolias enjoy youth, beauty and power. But at what price?

As in her popular adult novels, Crouch's poignant and humorous voice shines in this seductively atmospheric story about girls growing up in a magical Southern city.-Goodreads

My Review:
When I first saw this novel on Goodreads, I was really interested. The cover was so pretty and the plot summary was really different then other novels.

Unfortunately, I went into this novel with high expectations only to be disappointed. At times the plot was very predictable and halfway through the novel I felt that I knew what was going to happen at the end.

What I did like was the hoodoo magic in the novel. I never really knew anything about hoodoo magic so it was really cool to learn more about it in this novel!

My Rating: Three out of Five stars