"Rogue" by Gina Damico

Release Date: September 10, 2013
Publisher: Graphia
Pages: 326

From Goodreads: "Lex is a teenage Grim Reaper with the power to Damn souls, and it’s getting out of control. She’s a fugitive, on the run from the maniacal new mayor of Croak and the townspeople who want to see her pay the price for her misdeeds. Uncle Mort rounds up the Junior Grims to flee Croak once again, but this time they’re joined by Grotton, the most powerful Grim of all time. Their new mission is clear: Fix his mistakes, or the Afterlife will cease to exist, along with all the souls in it.　

The gang heads for Necropolis, the labyrinth-like capital city of the Grimsphere. There, they discover that the Grimsphere needs a reboot. To do that, the portals to the Afterlife must be destroyed…but even that may not be enough to fix the damage. Things go from bad to worse, and when at last the fate of the Afterlife and all the souls of the Damned hang in the balance, it falls to Lex and her friends to make one final, impossible choice."

"Croak", the first book in this series, was one of those books that completely took me by surprise, I had expected it to go one way, but it went in the complete opposite direction. However, I wouldn't have had it any other way- I think that it is extremely refreshing for the world of paranormal YA, especially for what we've seen from Grim Reapers stories thus far. That being said, I do think that a lot of magic from the first book was lost on the second, "Scorch". I thought that it was a bit too "out there" for my liking, making it extremely unrealistic and unrelateable. Though that didn't deter me from picking up this book, thinking that I was just suffering from a small bout of 'second book syndrome'. However, while a bit of magic was restored from the first book in the series, it wasn't as much as I would have liked.

My biggest complaint about this book was, again, how much was going on, especially within the first couple of chapters. Despite not having read the second book all that long ago, I, for the life of me, couldn't recall anything that had happened in the previous (because, again, so much occurred in it). It took me a LONG time to finally situate myself in this, being disoriented/ struggling to regain my bearing for much of it. It isn't often that I think that the first chapter of a book should recap what happened in the previous, however, I think that this series is the poster child for that.

That being said, the character growth in this series (especially this book) and the ending redeemed the book in my eyes more than I would have ever thought possible. While I had never expected this book to end the way that it did, I do think that it is perfect (plus, I love how there was a spark, no pun intended, of hopefulness). Furthermore, it's something that we don't often see in YA especially and, for that, I applaud Gina immensely.

All in all, I highly recommend this series for those looking for something different in YA paranormal- something which more so focuses on quirkiness and humor than tradition (though which does know how to be serious when the situation calls for it). I personally cannot wait to see what Gina has up her sleeves for us next (namely which paranormal beings she will tackle next).

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"The Suburban Strange" by Nathan Kotecki

Release Date: October 2, 2013
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Pages: 368

From Goodreads: "Shy Celia Balaustine is new to Suburban High, but a mysterious group of sophomores called the Rosary has befriended her. Friends aside, Celia soon discovers something is not quite right at Suburban. Girls at the school begin having near-fatal accidents on the eve of their sixteenth birthdays. Who is causing the accidents, and why? As Celia’s own birthday approaches, she is inexorably drawn into an underground conflict between good and evil—the Kind and the Unkind—that bubbles beneath Suburban High. Plentiful references to music and art—along with the intriguing underworld mythology—make this supernatural series debut a page-turner."

When I saw the cover of this book, coupled alongside an interesting synopsis, I was instantly drawn in. However, after having finished the book my feelings are not unlike they were when I was drawn into another book by it's pretty cover, "Tris & Izzie" by Mette Ivie Harrison.

My largest complaint about this book was how contradictory it was- on the one hand it was extremely sophisticated, with how the characters dressed, what they read, and what music they listened to (in that regard, despite me being older than them, they far surpassed me), but on the other hand, they were sooooooo juvenile in every other way- especially in the way that the spoke and interacted with one another. Unfortunately I feel that this is the result of the author's writing, it felt far too basic than what the storyline called for.

Another complaint that I had about this novel was that it was so BUSY- I couldn't help but feel like the author even went so far as to throw the kitchen sink into the storyline of the novel. Every time I turned around there was another plotline thrown in, each plotline increasingly more and more ridiculous and farfetched than the last.

All in all, this novel was not for me- I will not be continuing on with this series and I will be trading or donating my copy. That being said, I do feel that perhaps younger YA readers might be able to connect to the characters and their situations where I was unable to.

Rating: 2/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review. 

"The Testing" by Joelle Charbonneau

Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Houghton
Pages: 336

From Goodreads: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?
The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust."

Something that should be said of me? I hate when books are compared to best-sellers. Why? Because I feel that oftentimes there are very few to any similarities to the books (for instance, "The Selection" by Kiera Cass being marketed as "The Bachelor" meets "The Hunger Games")- that they are simply marketed as such for the sake of doing so. However, after having finished this book I cannot help but break my cardinal rule- comparing this book to one of the world's most popular YA books, "The Hunger Games".

I can't help but feel that the author knew that this book was going to be compared to "The Hunger Games" and yet she did nothing to rectify the fact/ make it march to the beat of its own drum. For instance, the world being divided into various districts (each of which is well known for excelling at something), creatures whose eyes shine humanity, mentors coming out of the most unlikely places, parcels from patrons which are quite literally the difference between life and death, and so forth. I think that had this book been more unique that it could very likely rise to the ranks of such best-sellers as the "The Hunger Games".

Another complaint I had about this book is Cia's voice- I found it to be devoid of any emotion. I thought that she was simply stating facts rather than truly engaging with anything around her- while reading her thoughts I couldn't help but be reminded of a tinny robot-voice narrating the book.

That being said, there were a number of twists in this book which truly made it for me- making me gasp aloud while reading of them/ keeping me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Furthermore, I did enjoy the relationships that the characters were able to form- that between Michal/Cia and Cia/Tomas (preferring them tenfold over Peta and Katniss) especially.

All in all, while this book wasn't quite as unique as I had hoped that it would be, I did like it enough to finish it. I think that this book is perfect for those suffering from "The Hunger Games" withdrawal and will appeal to male and female readers alike! Furthermore, despite my complaints I do think that I will continue on with this series- if only just to see how it wraps up.

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"Confederates Don't Wear Couture" by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Graphia
Pages: 240

From Goodreads: "Libby's best friend and fabulous fashion designer, Dev, hatches a plan to jet down South and hawk his period gowns to the wives and girlfriends of Civil War re-enactors. With a pang, Libby abandons her plan to visit her boyfriend, Garrett, in Boston and jumps at the chance to help run "Confederate Couture," and let her inner history nerd loose in a 19th century playground. But Libby and Dev aren't whistling Dixie for long. Between the constant travel from battle ground to dusty battle ground (with no Starbucks in sight, mind you), blistering heat, and a violent ghost set on romantic revenge, they quickly realize Alabama's no sweet home. And the boys. . . well, let's just say Libby's got the North and the South fighting for her attention. Confederates Don't Wear Couture is another hilarious, historical romp from Stephanie Kate Strohm!"

When I first received this book to read and review I was beyond excited as I did quite enjoy its predecessor, "Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink". I found "Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink" to be exactly what I needed at the time, a fun, flirty, and lighthearted read. However,  I must admit that I didn't like this book near as much as I did the previous.

My largest complaint about this book was lack of communication on the characters parts. Because the characters (Libby and Garrett, especially) lacked in communication, they were constantly jumping to conclusions- resulting in unnecessary (and frankly childish) results. Had the characters communicated with one another I don't think that 3/4 of this book would have existed.

That being said, I do appreciate the amount of research that Stephanie put into this book- I learned more about the Civil War (and its various battlefields) than I thought possible from a YA book. Furthermore, I do appreciate the humor in these books- humor stemming namely from Dev and from Cody (an overly cocky 14 year old with his eyes on Libby).

All in all, while this book didn't quite do it for me, I do think that those looking for a fun and quirky read (with a historical slant) will be more than happy with it. Furthermore, despite only being "meh" about it, I don't regret reading it as it did provide me with a few hours of entertainment- and I will read any future books that Stephanie may write in this series.

Rating: 2/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"Dark Triumph" by Robin LaFevers

Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Houghton
Pages: 385

From Goodreads: "Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.

But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats."

This book... This book is one of those books that sneaks up on you. Admittedly I hadn't expected too, too much of it- only being a fan of "Grave Mercy" (rather than an uber fan), but after having finished it, all I can do is kick myself for having second guessed it. This book was one of the most satisfying that I can recall reading in an extremely long time and, after having done so, all I want to do was reread it (something which I only allow for my most favourite books).

The biggest strength of this book? Beast and Sybella. Have a favourite literary couple? After reading this book I can guarantee that you will be hard-pressed to not want to kick them to the curb, replacing them with these two. Why I think that Beast and Sybella work so well together is that they compliment one another to a tee- Sybella is extremely broken, bitchy, and bad-ass and Beast is light, loveable, and lonely. While they are both strong characters individually, together they could literally take over the world. Furthermore, the build-up to their relationship is second to none, it had the perfect pacing- never feeling too insta-lovey or too long-drawn.

All in all, I know that I will never tire of rereading this book. I thought that there was a perfect balance of politics and romance (whereas I had found that the political aspect of "Grave Mercy" had far, far overshadowed the romance). I think that with each book in this series Robin truly grows as an author- therefore I, obviously, cannot wait to see what she has in store for us in the third (and final) book in this series, "Mortal Heart"!

Rating: 5/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"Infatuate" by Aimee Agresti

Publisher: Harcourt
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Pages: 416

From Goodreads: "Haven Terra is still recovering from an internship that brought her literally to the brink of hell when a trip to New Orleans leads to more trouble. Graduating early from high school leaves the spring semester free, so Haven and her friends Dante and Lance head to the Big Easy to volunteer with community service projects. But their true mission becomes clear when they run across an enclave of devils known as the Krewe. New Orleans is a free-for-all for these shape-shifting devils, who are more reckless and vicious than any Haven, Lance, and Dante have encountered. And they soon discover their French Quarter housemates are also angels-in-training, and together they must face off with the Krewe in their quest for wings. But Haven’s resolve is tested when Lucian, the repentant devil with whom she was infatuated, resurfaces and asks her for help escaping the underworld. Can he be trusted? Or will aiding him cost Haven her angel wings—and her life? Thrilling, romantic, and full of surprises, this gripping sequel to Illuminate takes the battle of good and evil to the next level."

As becomes evident in my review of "Illuminate" I absolutely loved it- admittedly I hadn't expected much from it, and that was perhaps the best part, it exceeding my expectations by tenfold. Therefore, as you can imagine, I was super excited to delve into this book, its sequel. However, after having finished it I must admit that it wasn't near as satisfying as I had found the first- I think that this book lost a lot of the magic from its predecessor. 

I think that my largest complaints of this book was the drama, lack of emotions, and general busyness. Everywhere I turned in this book there was drama and I felt that almost all of it was extremely forced/ unnecessary- drama between Haven and Lance, drama between Haven and her roommate, Sabine, drama between the teens and their mentor, Connor, and so forth. The characters had just graduated high school, however it felt like they were still stuck in it. As for emotions, I experienced none while reading the book- no swoon, no heart-pounding during the moments of action, no hair-raising during the creepy parts of the many cemetery scenes- nothing. Finally, on the note of busyness, it felt like a lot happened in this novel, however, when I sat back and considered it, not much did. I felt like very little was accomplished and that that was was glossed over (for instance, the summer camps that the teens helped to run, their time at the library, and so forth). 

That being said, I obviously enjoyed the book enough to finish it- I did enjoy seeing the characters coming into themselves and their powers more (Dante especially, he always makes the books for me). Furthermore, I loved seeing Lucian's progression from being of the Underworld to something more.  I also love/ appreciate the fact that Aimee featured a setting which few YA authors do- that of New Orleans. I have found that in her writing she is always able to transport the characters to the setting with all of the minute (yet not overwhelming) details.

All in all, while I do believe that this book did suffer from second book syndrome, to a degree, I did enjoy it enough that I will continue on with this series. I can't wait to see how Haven and the boys try to get out of their next predicament next!

Rating: 3/5 

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly e

"Perry's Killer Playlist" by Joe Schreiber

Release Date: November 6, 2012
Publisher: Houghton
Pages: 224

From Goodreads: "When Perry ends up in Venice on a European tour with his band Inchworm, he can’t resist a visit to Harry’s Bar, where Gobi told him she’d meet him someday. The last time he saw Gobi, five people were assassinated one crazy night in New York City. Well . . . Gobi shows up, and once again Perry is roped into a wild, nonstop thrill ride with a body count. Double crossings, kidnappings, CIA agents, arms dealers, boat chases in Venetian canals, and a shootout in the middle of a Santa Claus convention ensue."

As I mentioned in the first book in the series, "Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick", this is a bit of a departure from what I usually read, an fast-paced action and adventure featuring a male protagonist. That being said, I still quite enjoyed it. Aside from the literal "kept on the edge of your seat" and "page-turner" aspect to it (almost as soon as you start this you will find that you have finished it, it lends for a few hours of easy escapism), I think that one of the book's biggest strengths was its setting- Europe. The number of European cities that Gobi and Perry travel to in mere hours is mind-boggling. However, what is perhaps best about all of these settings is that each is extremely well-developed, it truly feels like you visit each of them alongside them, rather than feeling rushed or underdeveloped.

I think that another strength of this book is that the female character is the physically stronger character, while the male character is the emotionally stronger character, the opposite of what we typically see in YA. As such each character compliments the other perfectly- whenever Gobi is hellbent on bursting into a room with her guns blazing, quite literally, Perry is there to talk her off of the edge, again literally at times, whereas Gobi is able to draw Perry out of his comfort zone, letting him see that there is more to life than getting a girlfriend, going to university, and so forth.

All in all, I think that this is the epitome of an all-inclusive novel- male readers will enjoy it just as much as female readers will, and vice versa. Furthermore, being a shorter book that is so fast-paced I think that it would greatly appeal to reluctant readers. I look forward to seeing if Gobi and Perry have anymore adventures up their sleeves!

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"Dead Is A Killer Tune" by Marlene Perez

Release Date: September 4, 2012
Publisher: Graphia
Pages: 224

From Goodreads: "A diabolical pied piper comes to town in the the seventh installment of this hot paranormal mystery series. High school freshman Jessica Walsh is a virago, a woman warrior who must protect her hometown from danger. And in the unusual little town of Nightshade, California, trouble is always lurking. At Nightshade’s Battle of the Bands, Jess’s boyfriend Dominic and his band Side Effects May Vary are up against Hamlin, a band so popular that their fans follow them everywhere. Soon, Nightshade’s musicians are doing risky, illegal and even fatal things—and claiming that strange music they heard right before falling asleep told them to do it. Could a diabolical pied piper be sabotaging the Battle of the Bands? It’s up to Jessica and her friends track down the tuneful tyrant."

Like I stated in my review of the previous book in this series "Dead Is A Battlefield" this book didn't really do it for me (I found the characters and situations to be a bit too juvenile for my tastes, the sheer number of characters overwhelming, etc.). That being said, since I reviewed "Dead Is A Battlefield" I have learned that these books are ALA (American Library Association) Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. Therefore, while as a reader they may not be entirely to my liking, as a future-librarian I appreciate them more than you can imagine!

The strengths of these books reluctant reader-wise is that they are extremely short, before you know it you have finished it (which always gives a reader, no matter their reading level, a sense of accomplishment for doing so). Furthermore, they present a twist on the paranormal- I mean, have you ever heard of a virago (woman warrior) or read a modern adaptation of the Pied Piper of Hamelin before? Additionally, the world that Perez has built is quite unlike any I have ever encountered before- each and every character is connected in some way, shape, or form to another. Therefore, if you are a fan of the series, you can be guaranteed to see your favourite characters time and time again (while constantly developing new favourites)!

As becomes evident, on a personal level I think that my largest factor impacting my opinion of this series is that I am outside of its targeted audience- I feel that those in the lower ends of the YA spectrum (if not older MG readers) will gobble these up in a heartbeat and ask for seconds! Furthermore, despite my complaints I don't ever feel like I have wasted my time reading this books- they do present me with an hour or so of entertainment that is much appreciated. On a librarian level I recommend them to any reluctant readers or those looking for a different take on the paranormal!

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink" by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Release Date: May 8, 2013
Publisher: Graphia
Pages: 204

From Goodreads: "Libby Kelting had always felt herself born out of time. No wonder the historical romance-reading, Jane Austen-adaptation-watching, all-around history nerd jumped at the chance to intern at Camden Harbor, Maine’s Oldest Living History Museum. But at Camden Harbor Libby’s just plain out of place, no matter how cute she looks in a corset. Her cat-loving coworker wants her dead, the too-smart-for-his-own-good local reporter keeps pushing her buttons, her gorgeous sailor may be more shipwreck than dreamboat — plus Camden Harbor’s haunted. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, Libby learns that boys, like ghosts, aren’t always what they seem."

Admittedly I was a bit hesitant to read this book, I thought that it would be far too fluffy for my tastes- while I love fluff and romance, sometimes there can be too much of it. However, after finishing it I am kicking myself for having waited too long to do so, overall I really quite liked it, much more than I had anticipated.

It becomes evident that Stephanie did a lot of research for writing this book. While at times it did appear that she wanted you to know that fact, being heavy-handed with the details, in the large majority of the cases I did appreciate it, actually learning a bit about American history as I read it!

Aside from her ability to weave history into a storyline I think that Stephanie's other greatest strength is creating likeable characters- Take Cam, for instance. Despite being an obvious player-ish, bad boy you can't help but like him? Why? Because he is so good at it and he is a great juxtaposition for Garrett. Speaking of Garrett, I think that he will appeal to all readers, with his nerdiness, honesty, and all around goodness. That being said, I think that both boys are overshadowed by Dev, Libby's gay best friend, who is trying to follow in Anne Hathaway's footsteps a la "The Devil Wears Prada". Dev brings both much needed comic relief to and beauty to the book.

All in all, this book hit the spot perfectly at the time that I read it- a cute, lighthearted and fun book which was so much more. I cannot wait to see what its sequel, "Confederates Don't Wear Couture", coming this summer, has in store for us!

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"Scorch" by Gina Damico

Release Date: September 25, 2012
Publisher: Graphia
Pages: 322

From Goodreads: "Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby is a teenage grim reaper with the bizarre ability to damn souls. That makes her pretty scary, even to fellow Grims. But after inadvertently transferring her ability to Zara, a murderous outlaw, Lex is a pariah in Croak, the little town she calls home.

To escape the townspeople’s wrath, she and her friends embark on a wild road trip to DeMyse. Though this sparkling desert oasis is full of luxuries and amusements, it feels like a prison to Lex. Her best chance at escape would be to stop Zara once and for all—but how can she do that from DeMyse, where the Grims seem mysteriously oblivious to Zara’s killing spree?"

This book was such a breath of fresh air- in a time when I was just feeling "meh" about everything that I was reading this book made me experience the roller coaster of emotions that I so desperately was looking for- from tearing up one minute when reading of Lex's guilt and her reunion with her sister to feeling bubbly the next with Driggs' and Lex's relationship.

As mentioned, Just when I thought that Driggs' and Lex's relationship couldn't get any more SQUEE-worthy I read this book and I was proven wrong. I love that they're not your perfect couple- they're flawed. To the max. And in being as such they are so totally relateable. An additional aspect of their relationship that I love is their snark- there were two standout scenes that happened in this book that I know will stay with me for a long time, mainly because whenever I think of them I cannot help but burst out in laughter:

"Here's the thing," he said, his face strained. "It's just that I've been treading carefully around you and this whole Cordy thing all day, just like Mort told me to. And I had to make sure you saw here and were okay with it and got home safe- again, just like Mort told me to. And as much as I'd love to continue exploring the existential implications of Damning roadkill, the truth is"- he plunged his hands into his hair until it stuck up even more than usual- "you'be been back here in my presence for two agonizing hours now, and if we don't properly make out soon, I'm going to hurl myself off of the roof" (pg. 36). 

'Driggs whispered out of the side of his mouth to Lex as they walked, "I never got grounded before you came here." 

"You never touched a boob before I came here either." 

"Touche." He flashed a goofy grin as Uncle Mort shoved him into his room and slammed the door. "Worth it!" (pg. 110).

That being said, there were a few aspects of the plot that grated on my nerves a bit, namely the time that the characters spent in DeMyse- I just found the city to be too gaudy, too flashy, too (insert your choice of word of your nature here) and as such, unlike the characters, I didn't find it to be relateable, not realistic in the slightest. Furthermore, I  felt as if the plot was suspended in time during their time spent here- that very little was accomplished and that it was almost thrown into the plot merely to add some excitement. Furthermore, I  felt that the villain was just a shadow of her former self- that as the plot progressed she became less and less villain-y, which was disappointing as I think that she could have really brought excitement to the story, rather than the vain attempt that DeMyse did.

All in all, despite my complaints this was still an extremely enjoyable read- in fact, I only do "funny" when it comes to Gina (because she does it so well, drawing me out of my comfort zone). Furthermore, despite my complaints I will be continuing on with this series to see not only how these characters continue to grow, but also to see how the ending of this novel will be resolved (let's just day that you might want Kleenex on hand when you read it)!

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"The Hallowed Ones" by Laura Bickle

Release Date: September 25, 2012
Publisher: Harcourt
Pages: 320

From Goodreads: "Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her in this dystopian tale with a philosophical bent. Rumors of massive unrest on the “Outside” abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man, she can’t leave him to die. She smuggles him into her family’s barn—at what cost to her community? The suspense of this vividly told, truly horrific thriller will keep the pages turning."

When I first received this book for review I had admittedly never heard of it before, but as I read the synopsis of it on the back of it my eyes kept getting wider and wider because: Amish + post apocalyptic + paranormal creature just screams EPIC, no? I quickly dropped everything that I was doing to read this (in fact, when I had my copy of this laying around my mom, a non-reader, happened to pick it up and asked if she could read it after I finished it). However, I must admit this book was not near as epic as I had hoped it would be.

Overall I found the plot to be a fair bit flat, the only heart-pounding moment that I experienced while reading it was during the scene where the paranormal element was first introduced, otherwise I found that the most action-packed moments were word-of-mouth- a character recounting what they had experienced, stumbling across an event that had happened when no one was in the vicinity, and whatnot.

Another criticism I have of the book was Katie herself. I understand that she was looking for more in life than the Amish community could offer her, but having had the Amish beliefs ingrained in her from an extremely early age I can't imagine that she would just throw them away within a matter of days, without any remorse (I know that TLC's "Breaking Amish" is more than likely fake, but even the characters on that show waffle back and forth in their decisions during their time spent in the English world- "Do I do this knowing that if I do I can potentially be shunned from my community?", "What would my family think if I did this?", and the likes of). Furthermore, the romance that occurred a bit too fast for my taste- Katie was essentially engaged to her lifelong best friend, Elijah, and Alex has just lost the love of his life who he traveled borders for. That being said, Alex was a really great character (bordering on swoon-worthy) and I loved learning more and more about him.

All in all, this book did win on creativity fronts and I am very excited by the possibility that there could perhaps be a sequel to it (the ending was quite open and leaves plenty of wiggle room), which, despite my criticisms, I would read. I think that this book will appeal to a wide audience with the "I Am Legend" meets "The Village" feel to it!

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

Stacking the Shelves: The "I Broke My Shoulder Carrying These Books" Edition

To support my fellow Canadian bloggers I have decided to participate in Stacking the Shelves created by Tygna over at Tygna's Reviews. As Tygna writes, "Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!" 

So 'member that last STS post I had where I said that it was my most epic? I lied. This STS is- this a combination of books I have gotten over the last 2 weeks and the books that I got at the 2nd annual Ontario Blog Squad Meet-Up.

Trade (Thanks to all of the wonderful ladies I traded this for!):
"Rebel Heart" by Moira Young
"Lords of Misrule" by Rachel Caine
"Feast of Fools" by Rachel Caine
"Valiant" by Holly black
"Glimmerglass" by Jenna Black
"Touch" by Jus Accardo
"Clarity" by Kim Harrison
"Let's Pretend This Never Happened" by The Bloggess
"Entice" by Jessica Shrivington
"Bloodrose" by Andrea Cremer
"The Power of Six" by Pittacus Lore
"Team Human" by Justine Larbalestier
"The Raven Boys" by Maggie Stiefvater
"Carpe Diem" by Autumn Cornwell
"Audrey, Wait" by Robin Benway
"Lovestruck Summer" by Melissa Walker

Ontario Blog Squad Meet-Up (Thanks to all of the AMAZING publisher who supplied these books):
"The Crimson Crown" by Cinda Williams Chima
"Who I Kissed" by Janet Gurtler
"Sirens" by Janet Fox
"Sever" by Lauren DeStefano
"Etiquite and Espionage" by Gail Carriger
"Confessions of an Angry Girl" by Louise Rozett
"Fuse" by Julianna Baggott
"Speechless" by Hannah Harrington
"The Heart Broke In" by James Meek
"Red Moon" by Benjamen Percy
"Child of Venegance" by David Kirk
"The Edge of Courage" by Elaine Levine
"The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen" by Susin Nielsen

For Review: 
"Scorch" by Gina Damico (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son)
"The Suburban Strange" by Nathan Kotecki (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son)
"The Blind Spot" by Laura Ellen (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son)
"Will Sparrow's Road" by Karen Cushman (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son)
"The Book of Styling" by Somer Flaherty (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son)
"The Hallowed Ones" by Laura Bickle (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son)
"Percy's Killer Playlist" by Joe Schreiber (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son)
"The Bronte Sisters" by Catherine Reef (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son)
"Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Mass (Thanks to Razorbill)
"Breaking Point" by Kristen Simmons (Thanks to Raincoast)

Borrowed (Thanks to Ashley): 
"Diety" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

What did you get in your mailbox?

Stacking the Shelves

To support my fellow Canadian bloggers I have decided to participate in Stacking the Shelves created by Tygna over at Tygna's Reviews. As Tygna writes, "Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!" 

So... This is probably the most epic STS I have ever had before- but only because this is the first STS post that I have had in a month (since before my hiatus).

For Review

• "The Evolution of Mara Dyer" by Michelle Hodkin (Thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada): I recently read this and absolutely LOVED IT- I can't wait to get a finished copy in a couple of weeks!
• "Adaptation" by Malinda Lo (Thanks to Hachette Canada): I recently read and reviewed this on the blog! 
• "Black City" by Elizabeth Richards (Thanks to Razorbill Canada): I've heard such great things about this book that I can't wait to start reading it! 
• "Stealing Parker" by Miranda Kenneally (Thanks to Raincoast): I also recently read this, the review will be up in the next little while! 
• "The Diviners" by Libba Bray (Thanks to Hachette Canada): I also recently read this, the review will be up on Tuesday, I believe! 
• "Scarlet" by Marissa Meyer (Thanks to Raincoast): This is one of my most highly anticipated books of 2013- I can't wait to reread "Cinder" and then start on this! 
• "The Broken Lands" by Kate Mildford (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son)
• "Sons of the 613" by Michael Rubens (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son) 
• "What Came from the Stars" by Gary D. Schmidt (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son)
• "Dead is a Killer Tune" by Marlene Perez (Thanks to Thomas Allen and Son)
• "The Casual Vacancy" (Not pictured- Thanks to Hachette)

Bought

• "The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer" by Michelle Hodkin: I finally replaced my ARC with this finished copy- bought at Chapters for a mere $4.99! 
• "Avengers Season One" by Marvel: I bought this alongside my DVD of "The Avengers" 
• "Fury" by Elizabeth Miles: After borrowing my library's copy of this I knew that it was a keeper- and it comes at the perfect timing, author Elizabeth Miles will be coming to the Ontario Blog Squad's meet-up in a couple of weeks! 
• "Spellbound" by Kelley Armstrong: I finally got this after waiting for a year for the Canadian paperback to be released! 
• "Graveminder" by Marissa Marr: I have always been really curious about this therefore when I saw it at Chapters for $5.99 I couldn't pass it up! 
• "Red Glove" by Holly Black: Again, I couldn't pass this book up when I saw it for $5.99 at Chapters! 
• "The Eternal Ones" by Kirsten Miller: Ditto w/ "Red Glove"
• "The Nine Lives of Chloe King: Volume 1" by Liz Braswell: You can't really do much better than the first three books in the series for $4.99! 

Won

• "Rage Within" by Jeyn Roberts (Thanks to Jen over at Lost in the Library and S&S Canada!)

"Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls" by Mary Downing Hahn

Release Date: April 17, 2012
Publisher: Clarion Books          
Pages: 330

From Goodreads: "Based on an actual crime in 1955, this YA novel is at once a mystery and a coming-of-age story. The brutal murder of two teenage girls on the last day of Nora Cunningham's junior year in high school throws Nora into turmoil. Her certainties, friendships, religion, her prudence, her resolve to find a boyfriend taller than she is - are shaken or cast off altogether.

Most people in Elmgrove, Maryland, share the comforting conviction that Buddy Novak, who had every reason to want his ex-girlfriend dead, is responsible for the killings. Nora agrees at first, then begins to doubt Buddy's guilt, and finally comes to believe him innocent - the lone dissenting voice in Elmgrove.

Told from several different perspectives, including that of the murderer, Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls is a suspenseful page-turner with a powerful human drama at its core."

When I first received this book to read and review I was extremely excited- this being a different sort of book that I read (a historical fiction rather than a contemporary paranormal). I had hoped that that this book would be the one- the one that could convince me to pick up more books of this nature. However, unfortunately that was not the case.

My largest complaint about this book was that I found the characters to be far too boy-obsessed, especially in the first quarter of the book. In the first quarter of the book there was very few, if any, pages where the girls didn't discuss boys in some manner- from their looks, to their personalities, to declaring their undying love for them. Furthermore, it was a fair bit difficult to keep trap of the characters during this part because couples were continuously changing- a girl growing bored with a boy, dropping him, and having a new one in no time at all. As a result I found the characters to be a bit more juvenile than I would have liked them to have been.

Additionally, I didn't find the emotions of this book to be quite as developed as I would have liked- I didn't have any real impact when Cheryl and Bobbi Jo were murdered. As such I found the plot to be quite monotone and overall fairly unmemorable.

That being said, while at first I was admittedly turned off with the ending, being displeased with the fact that it didn't provide all of the answers I wanted and that I didn't feel that justice was served, I do like it more and more as time passes as I believe it to be wholly unexpected, and, without a doubt, unlike any other ending I have encountered in a YA book before.

Furthermore, I did quite like Buddy, the supposed 'villain' of the book (according to the residents of Elmgrove)- I found him to be the most developed of all of the characters and I couldn't help but feel for him- he was truly an underdog and a character that I am sure that countless others will fall for.

All in all, while this book was not quite my cup of tea I do believe that fans of historical fiction thrillers/ mysteries will thoroughly enjoy this book.

Rating: 6.5/10

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated for said review in any way.

Stacking the Shelves

To support my fellow Canadian bloggers I have decided to participate in Stacking the Shelves created by Tygna over at Tygna's Reviews. As Tygna writes, "Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!" 

I haven't done a STS post in forever! These are all of the books that I have received in my mailbox over the last 3ish weeks, if not a month.

Bought

• "Tiger Lily" by Jodi Lynn Anderson (I bought both of the following books solely because of Brenna's, from Esther's Ever After, glowing reviews of them!)

• "For Darkness Shows the Stars" by Diana Peterfreund 

For Review 

• "Revived" by Cat Patrick (I reviewed this a few weeks back already)

• "Rift" by Andrea Cremer ARC (This has been, without a doubt, one of my most favourite books of this year. My review will be going up mid-August as part of the Razorbill blog tour)

• "The Dead I Know" by Scott Gardner ARC (I have also read this, my review will also be going up early August as part of the Razorbill blog tour)

• "Junk-Box Jewelery" by Sarah Drew (I do a lot of crafts, but jewelery making isn't one of them so I am really excited to try some of these!)

• "Waking Storm" by Sarah Porter (Unfortunately I haven't read "Lost Voices" yet, but hopefully I can find a copy so that I can read this!)

• "The Vindico" by Wesley King (I have heard a lot of good things about this book so I am really excited about it)

• "Soulbound" by Heather Brewer (Ditto)

Special thanks goes out to Hachette Book Group Canada, Razorbill Canada and Thomas Allen and Son!

"Dead Is A Battlefield" by Marlene Perez

Release Date: March 2012
Publisher: Graphia (Thomas Allen and Son)

From Goodreads: "Jessica Walsh is starting her freshman year at Nightshade High and trying to forget about the tragic events surrounding her brother’s graduation. She wants to have a normal high school experience. But that’s easier said than done in Nightshade.

When a new boy shows up at school, the girls are infected with a case of seriously creepy crushes. But when their obsession turns to violence, Jessica and her friends start to wonder if there’s more going on than just a little friendly rivalry. Are the smitten girls turning into love zombies?

And Jessica has other worries—like her crush on Dominic Gray, the cute but moody new singer for Side Effects May Vary, and the mysterious tattoo that appeared on her arm one day and lets her know whenever there is trouble brewing. Jessica learns she's a Virago, a woman warrior chosen to fight evil whenever it threatens her hometown. But does a lowly freshman really have what it takes to keep Nightshade safe?"

Despite this being the sixth book in Marlene Perez's "Dead Is" series (and a series which has been around since 2008) I must admit that the first time I learned of this series was a few weeks ago when I received this book in the mail from the publisher to read and review. While I ALWAYS read series in order (I can't recall EVER having started a series in the middle of it) I knew that I would be unable to do so in this case due to time constraints, plus, after reading the synopsis' of the earlier books on Goodreads I felt comfortable reading this book without having read the earlier books as each book appeared to be a self-contained book, a book which though has repeating characters has its own individual storyline that is nicely summed up by the end of the book (additionally this book's main character is Jessica where in the earlier books the main character was Jessica's neighbour Daisy)- which, thankfully, did turn out to be the case.

As mentioned, as I had never read any of Marlene's books before I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but it surely wasn't this. This book was a fair bit more juvenile than I thought that it would be- both in the fact that in this book Jessica is four just entering her first year of high school and that I found the plot of it to be more so MG than YA- with love potions, character reactions, insta-love and the likes of (I found the plot to be similar to Sherrilyn Kenyon's "Infinity").

An additional problem I had with the book was that I found that overall it lacked any emotion- Not once while reading this book did I experience any feelings of "SQUEE" at the sappy moments nor heartpounding feelings at the most action-packed moments. Furthermore, after having read the book I don't feel like I truly know any of characters- I found that they were quite flat and one-dimensional (I mean, Dominic Gray is a rockstar, you'd think I would swoon once or twice over him, not unlike Logan from Jeri Smith-Ready's "Shade" series). AND I felt that there were A) far too many characters to keep track of and B) many of the characters had similar names which both resulted in it being difficult to keep track of each and every one of them (for instance Eva and Evan, a potential couple).

That being said, despite the storyline being much more juvenile than I had expected it was fun and lighthearted, a nice reprieve from heavier and darker YA books. Furthermore, the book was an EXTREMELY quick read (I think that I finished it within 2 or so hours). I think that this book would be perfect for fans of Gina Damico's "Croak" and earlier Meg Cabot series, including her "Mediator" series and her "1-800-Where-R-You" series.

Rating: 6.5/10

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated for said review in any way.

"Enchanted" by Alethea Kontis

Release Date: May 8th, 2012
Publisher: Harcourt (Thomas Allen and Son)
Pages: 305

From Goodreads: "It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.

The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past - and hers?"

The thing that resonates most with me after having finished reading this book is how seamlessly author Alethea Kontis was able to weave together countless fairy-tales, nursery rhymes and stories- from "Cinderella" to "The Frog Prince" to "The Princess and the Pea" to "The Old Woman Who Live in the Show" (and with arguably a "Romeo and Juliet" vibe going on). Not once did I find myself being overwhelmed by the plethora of said characters, in fact, I looked forward to their introductions to the storyline/ I welcomed each and every one of them with open arms.

Furthermore, I found each of the characters to be extremely well developed and complex, from Sunday, a young girl trying to find her place in the world, whilst trying to recover from a broken heart, to Prince Rumbold, who was simply trying to simply remember who he was, let alone finding his place in the world, to Trix, a young feyish boy who valued family above all, to Wednesday, an ethereal beauty with powers like no other.  

That being said, my largest complaint about this book was the 'insta-love' that took place- only within two or three days of meeting one another Sunday and Grumble were admitting their undying love to one another- however, being as this was a fairy-tale and as these sorts of things are quite common in them, I was able to forgive it. A bit.

All in all, this is an extremely cute and lighthearted read- after reading it you will be hard-pressed to not have a smile on your face and a happy heart. I think that this book would be perfect for younger YA fans (or older MG fans) or fans of the television show "Once Upon A Time"!

Rating: 7.5/10

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated in any way for said review. 

"Illuminate" by Aimee Agresti

Release Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: Harcourt (Thomas Allen and Son)
Pages: 534

From Goodreads: "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." 

While this book is not the most unique of this nature, angels versus demons, that I have read before (comparable to Lauren Kate's "Fallen" series and Lisa Desrocher's "Personal Demons" series) that I have read before I still found it to be extremely enjoyable (in fact, once I started it I literally couldn't put it down, this book took me less time to read than 2 of my most highly anticipated books of 2012, despite being just as long, if not longer, than them). I think that the main contributing factors as to why I enjoyed it so much were author Aimee Agretsi's prose, the world-building and the likeable characters. 

Aimee described everything in such minute detail- from the characters clothing/ uniforms, to plates of food, setting- though she did so in an enlightening and rather upbeat way, not once did I find her descriptions to be boring. Aimee truly has a way with words unlike any other author I can ever recall reading before.

Futhermore, I would have thought that because the large majority of this book takes place within the confines of the Lexington Hotel that I would quickly tire of it, finding the setting to be too redundant and the likes of, however, I didn't find that to be the case whatsoever. Every time I thought that there surely couldn't be another component of the hotel, there was- from the tunnels both beneath and below Haven's room, to the Pit to Alcatraz. Furthermore, I also really enjoyed the historical aspect to it (the Al Capone aspect)- I found it to be quite educational without feeling educational. 

I really liked Haven, which I found to be quite surprising as female characters typically make very little to no impact upon me (I oftentimes find them to be too underdeveloped, too dependent upon the males in their lives, and the likes of)- Haven almost solely propelled the story by herself (she had a good head on her shoulders and was extremely selfless). Furthermore, I REALLY liked Lance which I also find surprising as in almost every case I root for the female character to be with the 'new guy' rather than her friend, the boy she has previously known (for instance, Jace over Simon in Cassie Clare's "Mortal Instruments" series, Dimitri over Mason in Richelle Mead's "Vampire Academy" series, etc.). Why I rooted for Lance over Lucian was that I found him to be so much more real, genuine and approachable. 

All in all, I believe this to be a stunning debut from author Aimee Agresti, she is an author that I think that we should all keep our eyes on. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for Haven and the gang next!

Rating: 4/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated in any way for said review. 

Memorable lines from the book: 

"Since I can't be with you, since you won't have me, I will do everything I can to help you beat them, even if it kills me in the process" (pg. 409). 

"You make me want to be better than I am" (pg. 412). 

"It's a funny thing- the more time you spend with someone, the more they change in your eyes. You find yourself studying everything about them, the shape of their face and the way their lips curl when they say certain words, their tics. The smallest things like that can become fascinating, And then it can catch you off-guard when you realize how much you've learned from countless hours with this person- hours that ticked by without your even noticing- and all of a sudden you know them as well as your closest friends. You know when he's going to adjust his glasses and when he's going to put his hands in his pockets or when he's going to be still watching you when you've looked away" (pg. 447). 

"Grave Mercy" by Robin LaFevers

Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 549

From Goodreads: "Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?"

My first impression of this book when I held it in my hands was, "Whoa, this is a BIG book"- and it is, clocking in at over 500 pages (549 to be exact). While in the past I was quite hesitant to read a book of this magnitude (I mean, why read a single book which was 500 pages, when you could read two or three 200 page books), I wasn't in this case thanks to Veronica Roth's "Divergent", which was also of a similar page number. I thought that like Veronica's book I would fly through this book, be captivated the entire time, and the whole nine yards, however, I must admit that this book didn't fly by as much as I was hoping for, primarily because of the political intrigue that was marketed so much? I didn't find it all that intriguing. I wish that either the writing had been more succinct- eliminating much of this aspect of the storyline (I think that in doing this the book would have been shortened by at least 200 pages), or that the romance aspect of the storyline had played a larger role (what can I say? I am a hopeless romantic. I think that a romance can make even the worst of books tolerable). 

That being said, I enjoyed each and every character of this book, even the villains, which I believe is a testament to Robin's talents- as I can recall very few villains that I have actually liked over the years (Snape from the "Harry Potter" series, Valentine from "The Mortal Instruments" and Warner from "Shatter Me"). Why I enjoyed each character because I found them to be so finely crafted- from Ismae, who was able to prove her worth over and over again to those who doubted her over the years (and who looked pretty bad-ass while doing so, RE: the small crossbow), to Duval, a person who despite his somewhat prickly exterior has a heart of gold, to Anna, who never let her age deter her from what had to be done, to Beast and DeLornay, who brought much needed comedic relief (and in the case of DeLornay, swoon) to the book.

All in all, if I had to sum up this book in a few words I would describe it as being "The Game of Thrones" meets Tamora Pierce's "Trickster's Choice" series- I think that fans of either series will gobble this book up in a heartbeat and promptly ask for seconds. I think that Robin has a real knack for writing YA and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us with"Dark Triumph" (and I don't know about y'all, but I am really hoping that the knight that Sybella has to rescue is Beast).  

Rating: 8/10

"Croak" by Gina Damico

Release Date: March 20, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Thomas Allen and Son)
Pages: 311

From Goodreads: "Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby has sucker-punched her last classmate. Fed up with her punkish, wild behavior, her parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than that of shoveling manure.

He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach her the family business.

Lex quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated entirely by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. Along with her infuriating yet intriguing partner Driggs and a rockstar crew of fellow Grim apprentices, Lex is soon zapping her Targets like a natural born Killer.

Yet her innate ability morphs into an unchecked desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she’s forced to Kill a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. So when people start to die—that is, people who aren’t supposed to be dying, people who have committed grievous crimes against the innocent—Lex’s curiosity is piqued. Her obsession grows as the bodies pile up, and a troubling question begins to swirl through her mind: if she succeeds in tracking down the murderer, will she stop the carnage—or will she ditch Croak and join in?"

I must admit that prior to reading this book I thought hat it would be a more serious take on the paranormal, not unlike Lilith St. Crow's "Strange Angels" series- however, it was anything but. If I had to describe this book I would say that it reads like how Stephanie Perkins (author of "Anna and the French Kiss" and "Lola and the Boy Next Door") would write a paranormal (or how I imagine she would)- an intentionally humorous book chock full of fun and feisty paranormal beings. 

While I did enjoy the humor of the book (I can't recall ever having rolled my eyes at it, finding it to be too cheesy/ overdone, something I admittedly do quite often), I did find myself rolling my eyes at Lex on multiple occasions primarily because I found her to be a bit too feisty/ quick on the draw with her "Look-at-me-the-wrong-way-and-I-will-beat-you-to-a-pulp-while-a-smile-adorns-my-face-the-entire-time" attitude. During many of these times she didn't feel real to me- she almost felt like a parody of a 'tough chick' character or that she had an impenetrable wall built up around her. While the circumstances surrounding the end of this book were quite sad I must admit that I liked seeing said wall come down, letting us see the real Lex.

Furthermore, I also had a bit of a problem with the villain. I not only wish that they had been less obvious, but that they had been more developed/ complex (in fact, now that I think about it, I believe them to be one of the least developed characters in the book).

That being said, I LOVED the additional secondary characters of this book- from Uncle Mort to Driggs (seriously, all of the awkwardness between Driggs and Lex made my heart SO HAPPY), to the rest of the junior reaper gang. Each of them had well developed personalities, helped to perpetuate the storyline (unlike with other books where the secondary characters, especially the best friend characters, are just there for the sake of being there), and were people I'd like to know in real life.

All in all, I think that if Lilith St. Crow's "Strange Angels" series, Rachel Vincent's "Soul Screamers" series and a little dash of Stephanie Perkins books were to have a baby, this book would be the result. Despite my complaints I eagerly away to see what the next book in the series, "Scorched", has in store for us!

Rating: 8/10

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review. 

Memorable lines from the book: 

"Tyrannosaurus Lex, as they called her, was an equal opportunity predator" (1%). 

"She wished, as almost all kids wish at one point or another, that she could turn into a pterodactyl and fly away and never come back" (3%). 

"You know, on most planets, guardians feed their kids three meals a day." 
"The seems excessive" (22%). 

"You guys are best friends?"
"We prefer the term heterosexual life mates" (31%). 

"Lex, in the space of two months, you've punched me in the face, kicked in the nuts, and permanently demolished my kidneys. You really think I believe you need my protection?" (85%)  

"Why did you just kiss my ear?" 
"Because you turned your head." 
"I thought that the tree... moved." 
"Oh." 
"Do you mind if I try again?" (86%).