Stephanie's books

Clockwork Angel
Eragon
City of Bones
Twilight
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Golden Compass
Night World, No. 2
Thirst No. 2: Phantom, Evil Thirst, and Creatures of Forever
Thirst No. 3: The Eternal Dawn
The Iron Daughter
The Iron King
Nightshade
Divergent
A Discovery of Witches
A Great and Terrible Beauty
The Hunger Games
The Host
City of Glass
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo


Stephanie's favorite books »

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Heroes 'Til Curfew (Talent Chronicles 2) by Susan Bischoff


Heroes 'Til Curfew (Talent Chronicles 2)
by Susan Bischoff
Rating:5/5

Summary:
In the world of the Talent Chronicles, kids with supernatural abilities, Talents, are taken away to government-run research facilities from which they do not return. In this sequel to HUSH MONEY, all Joss wants is to be left alone with Dylan. But as more Talents are imprisoned by the government, everyone's looking for a leader. Some look to Joss, some to her worst enemy, Marco, whose new criminal plan threatens Joss's family and friends. Joss wants to stand up to Marco, but Dylan's protective instincts are putting him in harm's way. As the stakes get higher, can Joss find a way to embrace both the boy and her hero within?

Heroes 'Til Curfew contains strong language, violence, and some sensuality. Recommended for mature teens and up.

My Review:
*Contains spoilers*
   I read the first book of this series (Hush Money) a couple of weeks ago although I had it in my kobo for a long time, but my August book challenge was to read indie books so Hush Money was put on the list, and after I read it I was anxious to get book two. Man am I ever glad I got my hands on this it was right up my alley.
  This book had lots of great humor I found myself laughing out loud a lot ( I got a few strange looks as I read everywhere and always forget other people are around).
  Joss has quickly become one of my favorite heroines. Her strong independence and will to keep her talent secret and her strong desire to keep her father happy and sane, while struggling to find her place in a world flipped upside down in book one, and she now finds herself with friends to try and trust while instantly wanting to protect them. i couldn't stop reading to find out how she would kick ass next time....loved her.
  Now to mention the other amazing character in this book...Dylan, and as stupid as it sounds I like I'm in love lol. Dylan's fierce protectiveness is sexy, but what makes it even sexier is his knowledge of how independent Joss is he knows she can handle herself but he just wants to help her. My favorite part of the book came after an epic battle when everyone is finally okay:
        ""Crazy," he muttered softly, "how much I need you"
       Crazy, how something like that can feel like a kick in the chest, can hurt that much, can suck all the air out of your body for a moment. And at the same time, settle over you, around you, so soft and warm and sweet that you think nothing can ever be as good as this moment.
Crazy
that I love you
this much"
It showed how the tragedy had them finally admitting how they felt but also made the teenage girl inside me squeal and them sigh at how beautiful it was.
  Joss' dad brings a whole other layer to the story. A protective and mentally unstable father who despite everything is just trying to help is the main reason Joss is who she is. I was glad to get a little more insight into his breakdown and get a little better understanding of him but I really hope the next book gives me more. 
  I kept asking myself how they could keep finding themselves in another impossible situation and keep getting themselves out, but not in a bad way, in a Bruce Willis Die Hard kind of way.(which is one of my favs, I love me some Bruce Willis) It was full of excitement and surprises...Simply fantastic. 

   And now to finally say that the epic ending made me almost clap and cheer I know its corny but I love a good win!!!!! get this book and the first one(Hush Money) in your hands if you have not already.

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Past Reads 2

Inside out (Insider 1)
by Maria V. Snyder
Rating: 4/5


 I love dystopian novels and this one did not disappoint and the surprise at the end had me reeling for a long time. I have not read the next one even though I bought the two books in one book( I know you know what I mean) To many books and not enough time but as I have moved it up on my to read list look for a review of number 2 (Outside In) in the future.


Hollowland (The Hollows 1)
by Amanda Hocking
Rating: 5/5


    I got this as a free e-book and it was recommended to me by a friend and I was very very pleased as this was the first zombie book I read I wasn't sure what to think, but true to Amanda Hocking style this book flowed and held me from page 1 to the end. I cant wait to get my hands on the next one and find out what will go down. It was free for me but after reading it I can say I would have paid (but not to much as I am VERY cheap).


Graceling (Graceling Realm 1)
by Kristen Cashore
Rating:5/5


  This was one of those books that after I was done I wished I could forget every word and go back and experience it all over again, With a kick ass female lead character that made me want to learn how to kick some ass I was sad to see it end. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone with powerful love and struggles you will not be disappointed.


Matched and Crossed (Matched 1and2)
by Ally Condie
Rating: 4/5


 I got through these two books quickly I found them to be a fast, fun and interesting read, I will say that I liked the first better then the second but I great series overall. I really liked the concept and as I have mentioned before I really like dystopian books and this one was no let down.

Look forward to more past reads in the future.

Monday 27 August 2012

Past Reads

  Since I just started this blog but have been reading for a while I thought I would do a few mini reviews of a few of my favorites over the past. Here is the first one with more to come.

        

The Moral instruments Series (1-5)
by Cassandra Clare

I started reading these books last year I kept seeing them in the store and I just walked by I cant really tell you why but what I can tell you is that I regret I waited so long. When I wasn't reading one of these books I found myself thinking about them if there was one story I could make real it would be this one...I WANT TO LIVE IN THESE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!! Okay enough gushing and seriously I must tell you if you have not read these books and you love adventure, forbidden love, secrets and of course the paranormal then go get them right now. I am sad that the next book wont be out for a long time (Sorry I wish I knew and exact date) but this may be a series I read over waiting for the next book.



Angel Fire (Angel 2) by L.A. Weatherly

                                               
Angel Fire (Angel 2)
By L.A. Weatherly
Rating: 4/5

Summary:
In Book Two of L. A. Weatherly’s wildly romantic, action-packed trilogy, the angels are back with a vengeance . . . and they don’t have heaven in mind. 

In the wake of the Second Wave, the angel menace has exploded, and Alex and Willow are on the lam. Willow’s prophetic dream points them to Mexico City, where they connect with a fledgling group of angel killers led by the exotically beautiful Kara, an Angel Killer from Alex’s past. But the team remains suspicious of Willow, even after the more-experienced Alex takes over as leader, training them hard for a rush attack on the Seraphic Council, or “The Twelve.” This elite group of all-powerful angels is also under the scrutiny of Willow’s angel-father, Raziel, who has his own sinister plan to defeat them. 

What Willow hasn’t told Alex is that there was also a mysterious boy in her dream, one she felt overpoweringly attracted to. When brooding, gorgeous Seb shows up in the flesh, he turns out to be another—possibly the world’s only other—half angel. He’s been searching for Willow all his life, and when Alex enlists this rival to help keep Willow safe, he can’t predict what chemistry will pass between them . . . or how far Willow might go to keep Alex safe. Will their love endure or spell doomsday for the human race?

My Review:
*some spoilers*
   First of all let me say that this is a great series I really like the different take on angels its not your typical fallen angels bringing their war to earth, I was expecting to be reading another cookie cutter angel story but I was very pleased to find that I was wrong so here we go on to the good stuff.
 The plan to destroy the angels has failed and the second wave has arrived including "the council", Willow and Alex are on the run heading to mexico to recruit new AK's and try the impossible task of taking down the angels. I feel in love with these two in book 1(Angel Burn), Alex the lone, dark and brooding boy destined on revenge until he meets Willow (well tries to kill her but thats not important lol) a kind and beautiful half angel. I found Willow to be a bit flip floppy in this book when the love that is supposed to be so strong and everlasting is tested by Seb another half angel who feels that he and Willow are destined  to be together. I get that finding another one of "your kind" could make you feel a connection but I guess thats what a love triangle is, well this book has a love square if you throw Kara into the mix (and I do).
I was very heartbroken for Willow when she thought she was giving Alex angel burn but was VERY happy when it was all worked out, as much as I like Seb I could not see Willow without Alex after everything that they have been through together.
Raziel I found to be very interesting I know he is the bad guy a he is very twisted and evil but I think that was the draw in how could a man so evil make a half angel girl so full of love and compassion. I liked getting a look into his thought process and little tid bits of info from his end, although let me be clear I am still hell bent on his destruction but he fascinates me lol.
I really enjoyed the multiple points of view it made me feel all in and get to enjoy as the characters make their way to answers you knew but ALSO answers you never saw coming.   
All in all I found this book to be exciting and very well written it flowed through the action and the down time very well. 
This is a recommended read for anyone who likes adventure and love.





Sunday 26 August 2012

Hush Money (Talent Chronicles 1) by Susan Bischoff

Hush Money (Talent chronicles 1)
by Susan Bischoff
Rating:4/5
Summary:
They call their abilities Talents, and that’s what they call themselves as well. Talents are people born with supernatural powers, feared by the population at large. Possession of an “unregistered ability” has become illegal, and those who are discovered are forcibly removed to government-run research facilities. For Talents, keeping their secret is the most important thing in their lives. For some, that need for secrecy begins to define who they are.

That’s how it is for Joss, a high school girl who does everything in her power to go unnoticed. She's incredibly bright, but strives to maintain grades that are good yet not too good. She doesn't participate in school activities, keeps quiet in class, eats by herself. Despite her longtime crush on Dylan, she wouldn't even think about trying to talk to him. Joss doesn't make friends of any kind, because friends can draw attention, friends can make you slip up, friends can make things complicated.

When new girl, Kat, steps in to rescue Joss from an uncomfortable situation with Marco, the class jerk, she doesn’t realize what she’s getting into, and it blows up in her face. Joss finds herself torn between a desire to do the right thing, to find some way to help a girl who was kind to her; and her need to mind her own business and fade into. For the first time, Joss begins to question the way she operates, and starts to long for connections with other people--especially a connection with Dylan, who's finally starting to talk to her.

But what's up with Dylan's sudden interest? As Marco’s best friend, can he be trusted at all?

It's bad enough when a girl's got to worry about friends, boys, over-protective dads, and shoes that pinch, but when you throw in blackmail, government agents with guns, and really annoying little sisters...that's just about too much to handle, even for a girl with an ass-kicking superpower.

My Review:
I really liked this book I liked the plot of it the secrets and the good versus evil. I really liked Joss and her struggle between wanting to be normal and wanting to remain in the shadows I loved how she grew throughout the book learning that sometimes we need other peoples help. The characters were all great. I am excited to read the next book and continue the journey with these characters!!!

Saturday 25 August 2012

Angel Burn (Angel 1) by L.A. Weatherly

    
 Angel Burn (Angel 1)
by L.A. Weatherly
Rating:4.5/ 5
Summary:
 They're out for your soul.
And they don't have heaven in mind...

Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. she has no idea where this power comes from. But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, least of all good and evil.

My Review:
This book was fantastic it had me from the very first page and I was hooked and interested all the way to the end. Let me start off with saying that the characters were amazing Willow was strong and fierce yet very believable as she struggled with the realization of what and who she really is, and Alex OMG he broke my heart and then made me believe in love all over again.
The concept was great it wasn't another fallen angels rage war ect. it was a great idea giving me a new appreciation for the angel genre. The writing was great action packed and even the parts with no action moved so fluidly I found it very difficult to put it down. 
I am so excited to read the next installment and see if willow and alex's next attempt at the angels will be more successful then the last. 

Welcome

 Hello and welcome to my blog. This is my first time as a blogger but as my love of books grows I found a need to share my thoughts and feelings with anyone who loves them as much as I do and would like to explore them with me.
I have had a diverse taste in the past I like to think of it as my feeling out stage, in the past couple of years I have found my love for young adult reads mostly paranormal although I have read a few that were not.
Please enjoy and feel free to give me your feedback as this is my first time and I would be thankful and welcoming to any advice or hints you could give.