Review: Prized by Caragh O'Brien

     

Prized by Caragh O'Brien
______________________________

Series: Birthmarked (#2)
Pages: 368
Publisher: Simon & Shuster
Published: November, 2011
IBSN: 9780857074959

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

After her bittersweet escape from the Enclave -- she's away from their oppression, but she left Leon behind. She's safe for now, but her future is uncertain -- Gaia's saved by an outrider from Sylum, the place she's supposed to follow her grandmother to. She's fleed one terrible city to another, tough this one has an eerie force holding her there.

(Are you guys pumped for a review where I pretty much compare this to Birthmarked? On rereading that's all I've done here.)

Prized tests the characters, putting them through more difficult emotional and mental trials than the physical of Birthmarked. Gaia and Leon are more thoroughly fleshed out through the disagreements they have. I appreciated the way they pushed each other to be stronger and better, and formed a realistic and healthy relationship. They grew much more that I expected, and turned the series around from primarily plot-driven to placing emphasis on character development.

Their voices and personalities are defined clearly, and the setting and emotions are described smoothly and adeptly. Where in Birthmarked, I'd be bothered by the characters knowingly putting themselves in dangerous situations, something about the voice makes me worry about them instead.

The new setting of Sylum, so different from the Enclave yet fundamentally the same, was atmospheric and its history and settlement detailed thoroughly but not lengthily. In this new society where women lead, Gaia realistically felt briefly favourable towards the system that gave her a position of power for the first time in her life. This feeling warmed me to her, having a side to her beyond her once do-gooder nature revealed.

Prized has done an excellent job as the 'middle book'. The plot stands apart from the first, but leaves off with promises of returning to the Enclave. I appreciate that this series is beginning to feel different to other dystopia in that it carries a relevant message: that strength can be found through unity. I'm very excited to see where the trilogy heads, and confident that O'Brien won't let me down.

Prized definitely improved upon Birthmarked. It feels as though O'Brien's found her element now, with a much more arresting narrative voice and a justified and frightening setting. Readers like me, who only felt so-so about Birthmarked, shouldn't write Prized off so quickly.

I give Prized a 4 out of 5.

Review: The Undercurrent by Tricia Rayburn

     

 Undercurrent by Tricia Rayburn
______________________________

Series: Siren (#2)
Pages: 352
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Published: June 21st, 2011
IBSN: 9781606840757

Nothing has been normal since Vanessa Sands learned that her sister was murdered by sirens—femme fatales of the watery depths—and that everything she believed about her family was a lie.

Her boyfriend Simon’s been the only person Vanessa feels she can really trust. But now there are some secrets she can’t tell even him. And when Vanessa finds herself in the sights of Parker, Hawthorne Prep’s resident charmer, she needs someone to confide in more than ever. Doubting her relationship with Simon, unsure of Parker’s intentions—and of her own—and terrified by what she’s learned about herself, Vanessa has never felt so alone.

But personal problems must be put aside, because the Winter Harbor sirens are back for revenge. Now, Vanessa must face her past and accept that she is just like her enemies—every bit as alluring, every bit as dangerous.

The ice over Winter Harbor is melting and the sirens Vanessa thought would stay under and slowly resurfacing. But their return might not be the most frightening thing right now, with secrets Vanessa would rather pretend she doesn't have driving wedges between her and everyone she cares about.

Undercurrent held onto what I loved so dearly about Siren: the eerie, alluring tone. The book itself was akin to its featured paranormal creatures, so captivating I couldn't leave it for a second.

Rayburn has genuine writing skill. The tone is effortlessly created, and the mysteriousness was enticing and justified. Vanessa's voice is clear and suitably melancholic, which helps a lot with feeling for her. She was the kind of narrator I could get behind, far from perfect but constantly seeking out a compromise between what she needed to do and what was right.

The paranormal side to the story was also woven into the contemporary setting remarkably well, with local history tied seamlessly into history of sirens. Characters privy to the sirens' existence had realistic reactions to developments (which is to say there weren't any naive and shocked characters, but rather, pragmatic thinkers).

Tricia Rayburn crafted another intriguing ending in Undercurrent, one where everything is left in a realistic balance between tension and calm, and enough drama remains that I'm anticipating the sequel. In a time where a commonly assumed attitude is that cliffhangers are necessary to hold onto reader interest, good endings like these are few and far between, and I cherish them all.

The Siren series is dark and different and definitely for any fans of upper YA looking for paranormal romance that breaks the mold.

I give Undercurrent a 4 out of 5.

Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

     

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
______________________________

Series: Iron Fey (#4)
Pages: 386
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: October 25th, 2011
IBSN: 9780373210367

My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn'darkmyr Tallyn. 

I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.

My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

Meghan's ordeal was long. Fighting to find her kidnapped brother stolen away to the realm of fey turned into a fight to save the second world she was tied to by blood. At the end she took her throne as the Iron Queen, ruling over a place lethal to her Ash. Determined to see her again, he's seeking out mortality. His journey, of course, won't be easy either, but he'll find that the most trying obstacles aren't the physical ones.

The Iron Knight is the unexpected fourth book in the Iron Fey series, one I first saw as tacked awkwardly onto the end of an established and successful franchise. Though this first impression was diminished as I continued and it became clear that Ash's story is a necessary addition to the saga and I wasn't giving Miss Kagawa nearly enough credit.

The writing style was fluid and descriptive enough to create a vivid image of the ethereal world. Her characters were created with distinct personalities, though sometimes it feels like they lacked depth. Much of Puck and Ash's interactions read in the exact same way, with Ash entirely stoic and Puck steadfastly energetic. I got tired occasionally of their stereotypical personalities.

The major appeal to me in Julie Kagawa's narrative style, however, is the plot and pacing reminiscent of children's epics. There is a series of complications on the way to the solving the overall problem. If the plot were a mountain, regular stories would be of characters climbing it. Kagawa's plots are like large step pyramids, with heights and heights to scale.

The ending disappointed me slightly, though. I felt like the issue Ash found with the mortality he was seeking wasn't addressed properly. He essentially ignored the problem and hoped for it to go away -- and it did. I liked the place where we parted with the characters, but it felt like some things were overlooked in order to get them there.

The Iron Knight should appeal to fans of earlier books in the series, and to those who miss the adventure stories of their younger years.

I give The Iron Knight a 4 out of 5.

Review: A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

     

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
______________________________

Series: A Need So Beautiful (#1)
Pages: 267
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Published: June 21st, 2011
IBSN: 9780062008244

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger. 



But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences? 

Charlotte's been feeling the Need more and more often lately. The strong, painful compulsions to commit good deeds are ruining her relationships, and she fears they're behind the strange things happening to her body as well. Finding out what they really mean for her before everything else completely falls apart becomes key.

Usually with paranormal novels the emphasis is placed on plot, but A Need So Beautiful focuses on the emotional side to Charlotte's ordeal. This was a refreshing perspective, and totally welcomed. Too often do I find paranormal protagonists' turmoil skimmed over.

Feeling for Charlotte was so easy. Her predicament was genuinely terrible. It isn't a PNR of finding love and new powers and then being hunted by a bad guy. It's about existing solely to help others, and slowly burning out. Could you imagine being forgotten by the people you love? Ceasing to exist physically at a slower rather than ceasing to exist in the mind of others, and having to see them live with no idea of who you are? This book was terribly sad, I knew that before I even read it, but I was pleased to find it was the realistic (I used this word way too much in reviews of paranormals) nature of the depressive subject matter. It thankfully lacked the dumping-sob-stories-on-top-of-sob-stories/Nick Sparks feel.

I'm new to Young's books, and I had no idea what to expect from her prose or characterisation. I was pleasantly surprised by the smooth articulate writing style (though 'beautiful' was overused, even if characters tried to justify it) and how aptly she created characters and kept them true. Charlotte was likable for her strength and the relatability in her reluctance to be selfless. The romance between her relationship and Harlin was written with inherent chemistry that made the scenes between them buzz.

I was thankful for the turn-around ending, but it was pulled off in a jagged sort of way. It's possible to ease into a dramatic ending to prevent the cliffhanger feel, though it did achieve its aim, I guess. I am completely ready for the sequel. So Sequel, if you were waiting for the right time to fall unexpectedly into my hands, it's now.

A Need So Beautiful was a poignant and absolutely unique paranormal. I recommend it for fans of touching contemporaries or those beginning to feel exasperated with PNRs.

I give A Need So Beautiful a 4 out of 5.

P.S. Would you guys recommend Suzanne Young's other books? Are they as emotional as this one? Because that was the major appeal in this one.

Review: Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

     

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
______________________________

Pages: 304
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: October 18th, 2011
IBSN: 9781442420526

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better? Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.
Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall...

Carmen's entire life has revolved around her violin career. It hasn't been so bad, until recently. Performance without anti-anxiety medication seems impossible and her mother's trying to continue her own prematurely-ended career through Carmen. Her budding romance with fellow prodigy Jeremy seems to be the only good thing about her violin now, but her mother won't even allow for one distraction.

Virtuosity was an impressive debut, skilfully written. Music books usually aren't my thing, but this story wasn't exclusively about violin. It was about family and romance and seemingly insurmountable pressure. Martinez captured a teenage voice with deftness and created trials for her that led to stunning character development.

The prose was spare, but it very much captured Carmen's voice. I became invested in her story early on, and I was feeling alongside her anxious, excited, worried, whatever emotion. She was likable, with her earnest and kind personality. I also admired the way she began to stand up for herself eventually.

The romance definitely hit the spot as well. Carmen's story wasn't dominated by her burgeoning relationship with Jeremy, but it was important to her development, rather than just an obligatory subplot. Jeremy and Carmel changed and grew so much because of each other, and though their romance felt slightly rushed, there was much chemistry.

Though sometimes Carmen feeling so sorry for herself verged on annoying, it was easy to see where she was coming from. I can't say that I appreciate melodrama, but I can understand it. Carmen's lived a fairly smooth life, with a talent and a family who loves her (and some that doesn't, but that's not too big a deal) and a comfortable home. I could understand how the events of Virtuosity had her overwhelmed.

The ending was sappy and a little too dragged out, but overall, Virtuosity was a promising debut. The prose lended to three-dimensional characters, and the themes were universal.

I give Virtuosity a 4 out of 5.

Review: Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

     

Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake
______________________________

Series: Anna Dressed In Blood (#1)
Pages: 316
Publisher: Tor Teen
Published: August 30th, 2011
IBSN: 9780765328656

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

Cas's father was killed gruesomely before his eyes, and since, he's been following in his footsteps. He's inherited the family career, hunting down dead that don't stay dead. Travelling with his amateur witch of a mother, he encounters the urban legend of Anna Dressed In Blood, a ghost who tears to pieces anyone who crosses the threshold to her home. In a joke gone wrong, Cas and his friends see Anna do just that, but for some reason, she spares him.

Anna Dressed In Blood is not something I would have picked up on my own, given by squeamishness about horror movies. But rave reviews from some of my most trusted fellow reviewers had me trying out a genre I wasn't used to, and being glad for it.

Cas's narration was immediately easy to get swept up in. He's been through terrible and strange things and his personality reflected that in his courage and hesitancy around people and in the almost nonchalant way he regarded some of the paranormal aspects. I especially admired how he accepted what he needed to do without taking pause to complain, even when things were difficult.

All of the secondary characters were fleshed out as well. It was easy to get a clear idea of who they were early on. In the cases where characters took dramatic turns (read: in the case of Anna), it's justified and Blake skilfully writes her character to contrast with her old self in a big way.

The story was paced smoothly and the action and drama well-plotted. Blake expertly wrote palpable tension and emotions into the story without weighing the narration down with superfluous descriptions. Anna was exciting in mostly following an action-centric plot, but it also had softer moments that brought out different sides to our characters.

Anna Dressed In Blood reintroduces paranormal fans to the genre's horror origins, while presenting endearing characters and a thrilling plot. A compelling read from an author worth keeping an eye on.

I give Anna Dressed In Blood a 4 out of 5.

Review: Angel Arias by Marianne De Pierres

     

Angel Arias by Marianne De Pierres
______________________________

Series: Night Creatures (#2)
Pages: 270
Publisher: Random House Australia
Published: October 3rd, 2011
IBSN: 9781742751016

Retra - now called Naif - has escaped from Ixion, the island of ever-night. She doesn't know if her friends on the island survived the battle between the Ripers and the rebels. But she does know that she must return home, behind the sealed walls of Grave, to find out why the Ripers have been seen there talking to the councillors. What links the two worlds? 
First she must convince Ruzalia to help her. The fierce pirate captain saves those who face terrible fates on Ixion, but that doesn't guarantee their gratitude. Instead, she faces a revolt - and Naif is caught in the middle.

Naif will need all her courage to survive. For Lenoir, who wants to keep her safe, for her friends Suki and Rollo, if they live, for Markes, who has secrets of his own, and for the new friends she will make on this journey.

The fate of worlds depends on it.

Naif, as Retra is rechristened in Burn Bright, needs to return to Grave, her first home. Soon after arriving in Ixion, she became entangled in the underground mysteries and evils of the place full of those in pursuit of pleasure. Through revisiting her past, she hopes to save her future.

The second book in the Night Creatures trilogy holds onto what was so intoxicating about Burn Bright: the atmosphere. It perhaps even enhances it. It  furthers the overall trilogy's plot arc but still presents its own storyline. The characters continue to develop, and new ones are introduced. Angel Arias pulls off The Middle Book perfectly.

The setting was expertly created with an inherent gothic mood to it. I wouldn't call it dystopian, but more fantasy. Just not the kind of fantasy realm you'd want to be caught in. Marianne created an atmospheric world, creepy and

The plot was engaging in its unpredictable nature. The world and people presented in the Night Creatures series are so foreign to us that it's difficult at best to see what's coming. I also found myself pausing to admire the way Marianne didn't shy away from the difficult elements necessary for the terrifying setting. She had the courage to push her characters to the limit as well, which only furthered her brilliant characterisation.

Even through third person narrative, Naif doesn't feel too distant from us. She's often conflicted and develops and changes so much, but her personality is still captured clearly in the narrative voice. The perspective switches very occasionally to other characters not present with Naif, and though these interludes give insight into what's happening elsewhere, they feel like an awkward blip in the smooth storytelling.

The conclusion felt hard-earned by our characters, and wound down in perfect place to rest between adventures. I was definitely more satisfied by the conclusion than I was for Burn Bright, this time ending in a slightly calmer state. Without a cliffhanger, and I'm even more eager for the next installment.

Burn Bright was a chilling and twisting tale of a world fallen into almost unimaginable decay and strong characters working to pick it back up again. Atmospheric and intoxicating, I recommend it for fans of darker paranormals and dystopias.

I give Angel Arias a 4 out of 5.

P.S. I know there are a lot of international guys curious about this series. You can like the Publish Burn Bright Worldwide Facebook page and join the campaign to see it reach shelves near you.

Review: The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson

     

The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson
______________________________

Series: Shades of London (#1)
Pages: 352
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
Published: October 1st, 2011
IBSN: 9780007432264

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.

A serial killer emulating the gruesome murders of Jack The Ripper is filling modern day London with both terror and morbid curiosity. Rory, an American student, will cross paths with the copycat murderer and be left wondering if he's really the weirdest thing she's to encounter.

Maureen Johnson is one of my favourite authors, maybe even one of my very favourite people (just visit her on Twitter to see what I'm on about). The reason I'm mentioning this is as a disclaimer: my review is so very biased, because Maureen can do no wrong in my eyes.

The writing style was smooth and eloquent and natural to the teenaged protagonist. Rory's voice was effortlessly evoked through a dry tone with inherent humour in the prose. She was relatable and immediately likeable, reminiscent of an old friend.

Maureen Johnson remains one of my favourite romance writers, with Rory and Jerome's relationship more relatable than most. She doesn't specialise in stunningly attractive and mysterious boys sweeping the girl off her feet, but normal, funny guys with crazy hair awkwardly wooing them. The characters are real, and their relationships are realistic.

The premise is original, and executed brilliantly. The plot had its fair share of unexpected twists and was paced in the fashion typical of books first in a series, slowly introducing the world and the major plot arc. Johnson created an eerie and vivid without bogging us down with excess descriptions.

If Maureen's creepy atmosphere and wry character tone won you over, I'd recommend her novel Devilish -- another paranormal that reads more like a horror than a paranormal. If she hasn't yet won you over, I recommend you let her soon.

I give The Name Of The Star a 4 out of 5.

Review: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

     

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
______________________________

Series: Sisters Red (#2)
Pages: 336
Publisher: Hachette Children's
Published: October 1st, 2011
IBSN: 9781444900590

As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch-like monster in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.  When their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out as teens, they stumble upon a sleepy Southern town and are invited to stay with Sophia Kelly at her sweet shop. Sophia molds candied magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel finally start to forget their haunted past - until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel, who gives Gretchen a reason to fear Sophia: girls have been vanishing at Sophia's annual chocolate festival, taken by the insatiable 'witch' of Gretchen's nightmares. Can Gretchen save herself, the girls of Live Oak, and Sophia?

Of one thing, Gretchen is certain: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

Gretchen's spent most of her life mourning her twin sister, taken by a witch no one else believes existed. Most of all she wonders why she got to survive. Then she finds herself in Live Oak, where her questions find fuel. Are the witches here? Are they behind the disappearances? Or is it Sophia, the suspicious but charming girl she's staying with?

Sweetly is a companion to Sister's Red, with the stories sharing a setting. Sweetly is easily read without the prior knowledge of its predecessor, but Sisters Red presented a much broader world and explained things that are left vague in this companion.

It was a loose interpretation of Hansel & Gretel, with connections to the tale if you were looking for them. It wasn't, however, a retelling. The plot of Sweetly is unique and unpredictable even with knowledge of the original fairy tale.

Pearce's writing style is smooth and finds the balance between description and action. The combination lends to Gretchen's voice being evoked clearly and vividly. It was easy almost immediately to feel close to her.

Sweetly was concluded in a superb fashion. It was free of loose ends but without the cheesy happily-ever-after fairy tale feel. The parting image of Gretchen determined and sure at odds with her initially confused character summed up the journey she underwent. Sweetly ends with a reminder of how hard our characters worked for their relative peace, and that though it may get easier, the work will never be done.

Sweetly should appeal to fans of Jackson Pearce's Sisters Red and to readers of darker paranormal YA.

I give Sweetly a 4 out of 5.

Review: The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

     

The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen
______________________________

Series: The Mephisto Covenant (#1)
Pages: 439
Publisher: Egmont USA
Published: September 27th, 2011
IBSN: 9781606841709

Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—she is an Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.
A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx always looming, Jax knows he has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

Jax and his brothers work tirelessly to undo the evil of their oldest sibling, Eryx. They were given God's blessing so that despite being sons of Hell, their good won't all be in vain. He offers them redemption in the form of The Mephisto Covenant -- a promise that the selfless love of an Anabo will redeem their souls. Sasha, one of only two Anabo they've ever known, may just be Jax's way to Heaven.

The Mephisto Covenant seemed to get off to rocky start, with an opening chapter that I couldn't suspend disbelief enough to get behind, but the following pages put it into perspective and I began to appreciate the inclusion of it. The introduction gave us a glimpse into the trials the characters would face later, keeping the pacing smooth and the story engaging from the very beginning.

The mythology was imaginative and compelling, complete with themes of tragedy and hope. Something about stories of redemption and inevitability have always  Mythology-based stories are an increasing trend, but I don't think I've read one before so fleshed out and original.

The revelation of information about the back-story and context was well-paced, as was the plot. It was a smooth ride, without any lapses in action or drama.

Sasha's personality was appropriate to her being Anabo, a daughter of heaven, but her goodness wasn't self-righteous and in-your-face. It manifested in an unconditional kindness that made her endearing, if a little unremarkable in a sea of other nice YA PNR heroines. She was caught in a pretty horrible situation, but didn't stop to complain. It was easy to sympathise with a character so relatable.

The romance between her and Jax proved to be a large component of the story, but that didn't prove to be a problem. A lot of chemistry between them was apparent through their dialogue, actions, voices. Their hesitancy was understandable and gave a realistic feel to a relationship with more root in the paranormal than realism.

Overall, The Mephisto Covenant was a thoroughly enjoyable read, one of the better PNRs out there, but not without a few bumps.

I give The Mephisto Covenant a 4 out of 5.

Review: Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey


Pages: 336
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: September 20th, 2011
IBSN: 9780061996221

When her boyfriend, Danny, is killed in a car accident, Wren can’t imagine living without him. Wild with grief, she uses the untamed powers she’s inherited to bring him back. But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy she once loved.

Wren has spent four months keeping Danny hidden, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school and somehow, inexplicably, he can sense her secret. Wren finds herself drawn to Gabriel, who is so much more alive than the ghost of the boy she loved. But Wren can’t turn her back on Danny or the choice she made for him—and she realizes she must find a way to make things right, even if it means breaking her own heart. 

After Wren's boyfriend, Danny, dies in a tragic car accident, she's devastated. Driven by grief, in ignorance of the consequences, she uses the strange powers she inherited to bring him back, but he's only a shell of himself. He's cold and dead and only reflects the old Danny in fleeting moments. He can only think of her and becomes possessive and needs to be hidden from the world. And hiding him seems to work, until Gabriel arrives.

Cold Kiss was surprisingly raw and emotional. Wren is as devastated by Danny's death as you'd expect, and though she knows bringing him back was a mistake, saying goodbye for a second time seems unbearable. Her grief over the boy that is still technically with her and the conflict between what she needs to do and what she wants to do is heartrendingly real.

Wren had a distinct and unique voice, realistic and well-portrayed emotions, and a very likeable quality to her despite her standoffish cover. The way she developed was realistic, especially considering she needed a trigger -- in the form of Gabriel -- to do so.

Gabriel motivation for helping Wren out was plausible. He understood what was going on, he knew it was wrong, and he wanted to help fix it. Plus, he kind of liked her. He didn't try to just swoop in and get overprotective of her; he just offered assistance where it was needed. I love these kinds of relationships explored in YA: where the romance is actually beneficial to the development of the main character. Gabriel helped Wren overcome something that she couldn't have on her own, and their connection proved to be stronger than those of YA characters built simply on good looks.

All of this amazing character building was portrayed through an easy, flowing writing style. A quietly sad and slightly hypnotic tone was established quickly and maintained, inducing a strange prickly feeling at the story's climax. I'm interested in more books from Amy Garvey in the future based on her incredible writing skill.

Overall, a compelling and emotional read; heavy on the character development and light on the supernatural. A refreshing read for paranormal and contemporary fans alike.

I give Cold Kiss a 4 out of 5.

Review: Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood

\

Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood


Pages: 244
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Published: August 1st, 2010
IBSN:9780330426060

Fourteen year old nerd-boy Dan Cereill is not quite coping with a reversal of family fortune, moving house, new school hell, a mother with a failing wedding cake business, a just-out gay dad, and an impossible crush on Estelle, the girl next door. His life is a mess, but for now he's narrowed it down to just six impossible things...

I'm disappointed that I read this books after my post about what makes Aussie YA Aussie YA, because Six Impossible Things demonstrated exactly what I meant about it being 'comfortable'. Everything about it felt familiar, and not in the "this story is hackneyed" kind of way. Six Impossible Things was like a story your friends recount to you.

The awkwardly funny tone of the story was reminiscent of teen movies that make you cringe in the good sense. The situations Dan found himself in were often embarrassing, but he responds to it all in such a down-to-earth and relatable way that we want to stifle our laughter and help him to his feet.

Dan's voice was so distinct and real, and his problems were all relatable: unrequited love, money issues, newly divorced parents, trying to not look like an idiot. I just wanted to give him a hug.

Six Impossible Things was a cute and heart-warming coming-of-age story that any teen, or anyone who was ever a teen, could relate to.

I give Six Impossible Things a 4 out of 5.

I recommend it for fans of: Beatle Meets Destiny, Good Oil, A Straight Line To My Heart.

Review: Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen

Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen


Series: Bright Young Things (#2)
Pages: 360
Publisher: Penguin
Published: August 29th, 2011
IBSN: 9780141335551

T'S THE LAST SUMMER OF THE JAZZ AGE AND THE BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS OT NEW YORK ARE REVELLING IN BEAUTIFUL DAYS AND GLITTERING NIGHTS.

LETTY LARKSPUR has shaken off her smalltown origins and is set to chase her Broadway dream no matter what the cost.

CORDELLA GREY is reeling from the tragedy that's befallen her new-found family but she won't let it hold her back.

ASTRID DONAL is leading a dazzling life but her liaison with a gangster could threaten everything she holds dear.

Beautiful Days revisits the roaring twenties and our beloved characters from Bright Young Things, Cordelia, Astrid, and Letty. Cordelia's is still reeling from her ordeal, Astrid still struggling with her pseudo-engagement to a brash bootlegger, and Letty still seeking performance fame. Some time has past since the first installment, Bright Young Things, but slipping back into the characters' lives is like stepping into a cool pool on a warm day.

Anna Godbersen writes in a very setting-appropriate style, giving the feel of a book written in the jazz age as well as set in it. The atmosphere of the 1920s was so vividly created and described in its smoky speakeasies and silky fashion. I understand the shortcomings of this time, but I loved the way she romanticised it.

Her prose is a brillant example of third person narration that keeps the distance between us and the characters minimal. It's easier to connect with Astrid, Letty and Cordelia than it is in some first person perspectives. Their emotions were clearly portrayed and relateable, and it was easy to forget that you're not part of their group but just an outsider reading about them.

The romantic pursuits of the characters were so true to the characters, their relationships definitely lending something to their three-dimensional personalities. Pragmatic Cordelia was initially standoffish towards her eventual love interest and hesitant to let him in. Naive Letty took her beau for granted and regretted it. Vibrant and social Astrid worried about sacrificing a part of who she was to her relationship.

While Beautiful Days felt lacking in some of the drama of Bright Young Things, there are so many threads of plot that promise to be addressed in further installments and bring more tension. This series is one I'm sure will continue to keep me entertained.

Anna Godbersen wove an atmospheric story in Beautiful Days and held onto her place as my favourite historical author. This book won't disappoint fans.

I give Beautiful Days a 4 out of 5.

Review: Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson


Pages: 320
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: September 1st, 2011
IBSN: 9780857071958

17-year-old Lila has two secrets she's prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she's been in love with her brother's best friend, Alex, since forever.

After a mugging on the streets of South London goes horribly wrong and exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust - her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them. Trying to uncover the truth of why her mother was killed, and the real remit of The Unit, Lila becomes a pawn in a dangerous game. Struggling to keep her secrets in a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone - there are others out there just like her - people with special powers -and her mother's killer is one of them...

Lila has two big secrets: she can move things with her mind, and she's in love with her brother's best friend Alex. After her mother's death, she was separated from Alex and her brother, and now they're about to be together again. But their happy reunion is cut short when both of her secrets are put at risk.

Sarah Alderson's debut combines compelling action, realistic romance, thorough characterisation, enticing superpowers, and a twisting plot.

Lila was likeable and relateable. She misses her family, she hides the powers that scare her, and has a crush on the unattainable Older Boy. She just had this incredible realness to her, even with decidedly unreal superpowers. She was kind, sweet, had a great sense of humour and all of these things came through her narrative voice.

The way the story unfolded felt realistic. With one first-person narrator, it was almost like real life -- we don't know anything but what we know. As Lila tried to figure out who to trust, we didn't know who to trust either. I got the notion that I was seeing the events through her eyes, not just having her tell me about them. We were as oblivious as she was about the secrets of The Unit and the secrets of her power.

The romance was slowly developed and touching. The tension between Lila and Alex was obvious from the beginning, but they were naturally hesitant about their attraction. A very lovely subplot to the dramatic major plot arc.

With the conclusion came a cliffhanger-that-I-don't-want-to-call-a-cliffhanger-because-when-you-hear-cliffhanger-you-think-of-frustration-and-annoyance, definitely well-executed. It was a realistic denouement to a fight scene, where not all of the good guys get away uninjured. I'm definitely hanging on for the next book in the series!

I give Hunting Lila a 4 out of 5.

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi


Pages: 352
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: November 1st, 2011
IBSN: 9781742378206

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days and the last time was an accident. Now accidental murder has her locked up in an asylum where happy is a hot meal and not being dead in the morning. No one knows why touching her skin for too long is fatal. No one knows how to fix her problem. 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. The ozone layer is deteriorating. Farms are scarce, food is hard to find, temperatures are unreliable and the clouds are the wrong colour.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things. They said the people were to blame for wasting and raping the land of its resources. It's time to start fresh, is what they said. Bleach the past and throw away the freaks. So they threw Juliette in a cell and chopped up the opposition while she blinked. Now enough of the population is dead that the rest 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 might be useful. Maybe a Venus flytrap is exactly what they need right now.
And maybe Juliette doesn't give a damn what The Reestablishment needs. Maybe she's tired of being a monster. Maybe she wants to be a human being for once in her life.
Maybe she wants to fight back.
But Juliette has to fight much more than a war. She has to fight herself for the right to be human and fight the world for the right to be free.

She has to make a choice.
Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Wow, that's a long synopsis. Is anyone still reading? Yes? Okay!

Shatter Me was a breathtakingly original paranormal dystopia. Juliette's touch is lethal, and she was ostracized from her community and family from a young age and given over to the Reestablishment who eventually threw her in a tiny cell. She hasn't touched another person in 264 days and interacted with another in almost as long. Until Adam is suddenly thrown into her cell one day.

You've heard of this book before. Of course you have. It's one of the most hyped upcoming YA books of the year. And while it was hard with an ARC that dedicated more space on the back of the book to bragging rights than the blurb, when it comes to books hyped this much, it's necessary to keep everything you've heard about the book separate to everything you find actually reading the book. If I'd went into this book with the amazingly high expectations that over early reviews have set, it probably would have fallen below them.

Though what couldn't have fallen under expectations was Tahereh Mafi's prose. It was brilliant. She used fragments that helped establish Juliette's initially scared and hesitant voice, and strikeouts that showed her internal conflicts. Written in such a uniquely lyrical fashion, there was a strong narrative voice. Juliette's struggles with her power and feelings were clear through the words in each sentence, paragraph, page.

The plot was engaging, the premise intriguing. The minor arc of Juliette and Adam's escape was the main focus for the most part, but the major arc of the series was introduced only towards the end. Shatter Me definitely had the the feel of a first novel in a series -- it set the context for a more large-scale problem to be eventually solved. Alone it was very compelling, but now that the scene has been set, the rest of the trilogy promises to be much more action-packed.

Though the dystopia setting was the canonical post-natural resources world where a new government sells their dictatorship as the solution, Mafi pulled it off in a refreshing way. The way Juliette reacted to her world so deteriorated in her absence was parallel to ours as we read about this almost plausible future version of our own.

Juliette was a dynamic character. Who she was at the end, triumphant and strong, was at complete odds to the version of herself at the beginning, cowering in her cell from the new boy. Her slow transformation into someone proud of her curse gift was touching, and the whole way there you'll be cheering for her.

The ending was slightly anti-climactic, with what felt like a little too much time spent after the drama had wound down, but it had a very 'X-Men' feel* and left us in a good place to continue the trilogy. The ending felt like a beginning, and I get the feeling know this series will only get better with each installment.

I give Shatter Me a 4 out of 5.


* Always a good thing. ALWAYS.

Review: Shift by Em Bailey

Shift by Em Bailey

Pages: 320
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont
Published: September 1st, 2011
IBSN: 9781921564390 

Olive Corbett is definitely NOT crazy.

Not anymore. These days she takes her meds like a good girl, hangs out with her best friend Ami, and stays the hell away from the toxic girls she used to be friends with.

She doesn’t need a boyfriend. Especially not a lifesaver-type with a nice smile. And she doesn’t need the drama of that creepy new girl Miranda, who has somehow latched on to Olive's ex-best friend.

Yet from a distance, Olive can see there's something sinister about the new friendship. Something almost... parasitic. Maybe the wild rumours ARE true. Maybe Miranda is a killer.

But who would believe Olive? She does have a habit of letting her imagination run away with her…

Shift was a surprisingly intense psychological thriller from a new voice in Aussie YA.

Olive starts out feeling just like your average teenager. She's not exactly popular, she's not exactly beautiful; but it's revealed slowly that she's not exactly normal either. She had a mental breakdown that resulted in her hospitalisation, but she seems well enough on her meds, until a bombshell is dropped mid-way. Despite her odd circumstances, she was always easily relatable and usually likeable.

The plot was very smooth. There were no 'info-dumps' or the like to interrupt the flow. Hints were dropped sparingly and events unfolding in a teasingly slow manner. We had to figure things out slowly, at times even when the main character couldn't.



Written in a clear and frank fashion that still maintained a foreshadowing tone, the plot turns that had the potential to be confusing or awkward weren't, but turned out feeling realistic. This book is the antidote to all those paranormal stories with completely unrealistic reactions to supernatural elements. In real life, if you encountered someone strange, you wouldn't automatically suspect something preternatural, and you'd need a lot of convincing to believe in it. This book reflects that.

The foreshadowing tone built the suspense to the point where there was almost tangible anticipation for what I hoped was an epic conclusion, and I wasn't wrong. The climax was dramatic and tense and the wind-down addressed our concerns for the main characters while still leaving some parts open-ended to maintain the eerie mystique to the novel.

Complete with a gradual romance and a believable, despicable and slightly sympathetic villain, Shift was a compelling from so many different angles. Once you've traversed the slow beginning, Shift is impossible to put down.

I give Shift a 4 out of 5.

Review: Fury by Shirley Marr

Fury by Shirley Marr

Pages: 277
Publisher: Black Dog Books
Published: May 1st, 2010
IBSN: 9781742031323

Let me tell you my story.
Not just the facts I know you want to hear.
If I’m going to tell you my story,
I’m telling it my way. 

Strap yourself in...

Eliza Boans has everything.
A big house.
A great education.
A bright future.

So why is she sitting in a police station confessing to murder?

Fury was a surprising, mysterious and admirably different novel.

What was surprising about Fury was how such an initially snobbish and mean character could grow on you. I didn't like Eliza at the beginning, but I began to appreciate her more as her story slowly unfolded. In the way she treated her friends, you could see her fear of being left and, eventually, deep loyalty. Her extreme personality was so apparent in her voice, and the way she admitted her flaws made her relatable.

The narration made me feel as though Eliza was retelling the events to me personally. Her distinct and loud voice made her feel like a real person, like a friend telling me what had happened. As she grew on me, I became more and more invested in her story -- and even some of the background characters' -- that I was furiously turning the pages, trying to figure out why.

The way the characters developed was amazing. That I could go from being irritated by them to feeling sympathetic and heartbroken for them really surprised me. There was depth revealed in them that wasn't immediately obvious, but made you realise you were wrong about them all along.

The plot was full of suspense, and the way Eliza revealed her story had you constantly thinking you had it figured out before being taken on a completely new path. Her retelling left the events in something like an organised mess that was almost impossible to sort out.

Overall, it was a stunningly unique and compelling debut. I look forward to reading more books in Shirley Marr's engaging style.

I give Fury a 4 out of 5.

Review: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Series: Heist Society (#2)
Pages: 304
Publisher: Lothian
Published: June 28th, 2011
IBSN: 9780734411938

Kat Bishop: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. Or simply, the girl who robbed the greatest museum in the world...

Now she's been asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

Trouble is, not only is the gem elusive - it's cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head but help is at hand. She enlists the gorgeous Hale and the rest of the crew from Heist Society on a heart-stopping round-the-world search. But this time, Kat - who knows every trick and con in the book - is making up her own rules.

After a long stint of solo heists, Kat is back with the team -- Gabrielle, Simon, the Bagshaws, Nick, and of course, Hale -- to steal what even their legendary Uncle Eddie couldn't: the Cleopatra Emerald. But getting their hands onto the crystal may not even be the most difficult part of the mission.

Uncommon Criminals brings back the loveable cast from Heist Society, the heart-stopping action, and the cleverly built world that make you wonder if Ally Carter is a spy herself. This instalment will not disappoint fans of the first book.
The story was well-paced, without a dull moment, and constantly suspenseful. The plot took sharp turns and had unexpected twists, and before you could even finish thinking that you've got it figured out, something happened that threw you off. A fast, edge-of-your-seat read.

This exciting story is told in seamless omniscient third person narration. It informs us about the context and flits between different characters' perspectives smoothly, giving us a comprehensive understanding of the plot without giving away too much in suspenseful moments. Ally Carter skilfully pulled off a difficult narrative style that was very appropriate to the story.

The bonds between the characters are explored further in Uncommon Criminals. Kat's burgeoning romance with Hale grows, and more of her family dynamic is shown. Kat herself is developed further, too. Though the distance created by the third person narration between Kat and us was always minimal, we feel closer to her in this instalment as she struggles with where she fits into the thieving world.

An exciting and tense story of cat burglary, complete with a subtle romance and sense of humour.

I give Uncommon Criminals a 4 out of 5.

Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Pages: 288
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Published: August 2nd, 2011
IBSN: 9781423137870

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. 
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

The Near Witch is Victoria Schwab's remarkable debut. It combines fantasy elements with romance and lore, to a backdrop of a restrictive and narrow-minded village.

I admired Lexi as a character. She did what she had to do, and didn't let anyone stand in her way. The secondary characters were realistic and had depth. I totally fell in love with Cole. His anguish over his tragic past had a huge affect on his character. I felt sympathetic towards him.

The plot was clever and constantly twisting. I could never see what was going to happen next.

The writing style was beautiful and poetic and had a quality to it that made it so easy to read. It had an exquisite flow to it.

The Near Witch was a relatively short, unique, stand-alone novel that was thoroughly entertaining with likeable characters. My definition of a great novel.

I give The Near Witch a 4 out of 5. I definitely look forward to Victoria Schwab's future books!