Illuminate by Aimee Agresti Review

Name: Illuminate
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: March 6th, 2012
544 pages
Thanks Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for giving me an ARC copy of this book!

Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.

As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?

Illuminate is an exciting saga of a teen’s first taste of independence, her experience in the lap of luxury, and her discovery she may possess strength greater than she ever knew.-Goodreads

My Review:
Wow what an amazing read! Once I started this book I could not put it down, and I found myself staying up super late to get this one finished!

From the beginning of the book, I was very captivating by the story. Haven and her friend's new internship in Chicago had my very intrigued. There is a lot of mystery that surrounds this story and I never knew what was going to happen next! I was kept on my toes throughout the whole story which I loved!

Another aspect of this novel that I really liked was the paranormal part! At first, I thought this book was going to be all about Angels but I was wrong! I really liked the different paranormal aspects that Aimee used in this book and she was able to incorporate in in a fantastic way!

I also really enjoyed seeing the characters grow throughout this novel. Haven becomes such a strong and independent women throughout the book and I really liked seeing such a passionate character! Also, the romance in Illuminate is the perfect balance! Not too little, and not too much!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I HIGHLY recommend it! Make sure that it is in your tbr pile!

My Rating: Five out of Five stars

Waiting on Wednesday 22: Everneath

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!
Name: Everneath
Author: Brodi Ashton
Publisher: Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray
Release Date: January 24th, 2012

My Thoughts: Okay who doesn't love this cover?! It's GORGEOUS!! I love the red design especially!
The plot of this novel sounds interesting too..I sense Greek Mythology! I can't wait to see what happens to Nikki, Jack and Cole and I can't wait to read this book!

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...-Goodreads

Well what are your thoughts on this one? What are you waiting for this week? Comment below! 
p.s. don't forget to enter my 300 follower giveaway!!

300 Follower Giveaway!

Hi everyone! So I am approaching 300 Followers on my blog and I am near my sixth month anniversary on my blog!

So in honor of these important events I am hosting a giveaway! I am giving away ONE COPY of Legacy by Cayla Kluver

So here are the rules:
1. You must be 13 years or older
2. You must be from the United States (sorry international friends!) Next giveaway will be international :)
3. Follow by GFC, if you do, you have a better chance of winning!
4. Make sure to comment on this post!

The giveaway ends on December 18th, so hopefully by then I will have 300 followers!

Good luck everyone and enter the form below!

In My Mailbox (22)

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren!

This week was a crazy book week! I received a bunch of books on netgalley and from my library and then...it was cybermonday lol. So I bought a couple of books then! So I have a lot of reading to do!

Anyways on with the books!

Halflings by Heather Burch (thanks Netgalley and Zondervan Publishing!)

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton  

Where You Are (Between the Lines # 2) by Tammara Webber 

Allegiance by Cayla Kluver (thanks Netgalley and Harlequin Teen!)

Spin by Catherine McKenzie (thanks Netgalley and Harper Publishing!)

Remembrance by Michelle Madow

Well, I received a lot of books this week so I will be having a lot of reading to do! What do you all think? What did you receive this week? Comment below!

Be on the lookout for a 300 follower giveaway this week everyone! I am nearing that number so I want to host a giveaway for my awesome followers so look for that this week :)

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon Review

Name: Carrier of the Mark
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: October 4th, 2011
342 pages


From the moment she sets foot at her new school in Ireland, Megan is inexplicably drawn to the darkly handsome Adam DeRis. But Megan soon discovers that her feelings for Adam are tied to a supernatural fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that unites them could be their ultimate destruction.

This electrifying debut novel was first discovered on inkpop.com. the online community for aspiring writers. THE CARRIER OF THE MARK sizzles with unbridled romance, a unique supernatural hook, and a breathtaking Irish setting, and will entice fans of the Need series by Carrie Jones and the House of Night series by P. C. and Kristin Cast-Goodreads

My Review:
What an awesome read! I really really enjoyed this one! When I picked it up last week from Barnes and Noble I could not put it down!
I really liked how this book was set in Ireland, I actually have never read any books set in Ireland so it was fun to imagine the main character Megan there!

One of my favorite parts of this book was the plot! I really enjoyed learning about the different supernatural elements in this book (I don't want to give anything away!) but it was really interested to see how the supernatural part mixed with the romance part. Ms. Fallon did a really great job of creating her own mythology in this book and I really enjoyed that!
One part that I did not really like was how Megan and Adam got together too quickly! I really wanted their romance to be spread out! Even though that bothered me I still liked seeing the two together and reading about their relationship!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I totally would recommend it to paranormal romance fans!

My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Follow Friday # 8

Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee!

This Friday's question is:

Question: What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to books? Maybe you don't like love triangles or thin plots? Tell us about it!

Answer: Hmmm this is a tough one! I am not a huge fan really predictable plots. I really like being kept on my toes and guessing about what is going to happen next in a book, instead of knowing right away the ending of the story!

Another thing that bothers me is certain love triangles, I don't have a huge problem with them but I wish that certain love triangles can be drawn out and the reader does not know who the main character is going to pick. I like surprises in books as you can tell :)

Well, what are your biggest pet peeves? What do you think of mine? Comment below and leave your links! And don't forget to follow! I always follow back :)