Dare You Too #2 by Katie McGarry

Genre: Romance

Series: Pushing The limits

            1. Pushing the Limits

            2. Dare You Too

            3. Crash into You

            4. Take Me On

Rating:★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...

My Review:

            To be honest, I read Dare You Too before I read the first book in this series. I picked this book randomly at the library and hadn't realized it was part of a series. Albeit, the stories are about different characters who happen to know each other so that's why I didn't feel odd that I read this series out of order. After reading this emotional well constructed book I was extremely satisfied when it came to its end. Because I realized there are two more books after this one! Yay!

            Anyways, plot wise the book was well planned out, the writing style was simple yet intriguing and the characters were well written. I could feel the chemistry, romance, and intensity of the characters as I was flipping pages trying to finish this book as fast as I could. I came to love the characters because each had a different personality that intrigued me. The main character was smart, cunning and beautifully written. Her character didn't make me yell or scream at the book which is a definite plus. And Ryan's character was sweet which made me love him even more when the book finally ended. Overall, an awesome book and the next book in this series is just as awesome! I'm pleased to say I enjoyed reading this series so far and can't wait to finish it.

Illuminated by Erica Orloff

Genre: Romance

Paperback: 244 Pages

Published: December 8, 2011

Series: None

Rating:★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Some loves are not made to last . . . Like Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard were doomed from the start, and their romance was destined to pass into history. Yet when sixteen-year-old Callie Martin discovers a diary hidden within an antique book, their story - and hers - takes on another life. For the diary leads Callie to the brilliant and handsome August, who is just as mysterious as the secret the diary hides. Their attraction is undeniable. As the two hunt down the truth behind the diary - and that of Heloise and Abelard's ancient romance - their romance becomes all-consuming. But Callie knows it can't last . . . love never does. Will their love that burns as bright as a shooting star flame out, or will these star-crossed lovers be able to defy history?

My Review:

            There is noting I love more than a LOVE story, but this book was not it for me. I picked it up thinking it would be an epic love story plus the interesting plot had caught my attention, however I was very disappointed. I liked Callie up until she met August. After meeting August Callie went from a cute, smart, book loving girl to a sappy annoying teen who couldn't stop talking about how sexy August was. I mean we get it he's hot, but there must be other qualities about him that you are attracted too?!

            I liked how the plot contained lots of mystery and adventure, but in my opinion it just wasn't enough to keep me entertained. The theme of Abelard, Heloise and Astrolab gave the book some romance, but it felt like everything was happening out of nothing. The idea was good, but the execution was a fail. Overall, it was just an egh type of book. Definitely not the best.

Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Genre:Fantasy

Hardcover: 423 Pages

Published: September 20, 2011

Series: Fire and Thorns

            1. The Girl of Fire and Thorns

            2. The Crown of Embers

            3. The Bitter Kingdom

Rating:★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one. 

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will. 

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

My Review:

            Elisa, a princess of the country of Oravalle is the bearer of the Godstone, a jewel implanted in her navel which signifies that she is marked by the god as one who will do a service. She has no idea what her service will be or how useful she can be to her country. She is a shy, overweight, younger daughter of the King, overshadowed by her charmingly stunning older sister.

Elisa's day consisted of reading and eating...

 

I. KID. YOU. NOT. This chick ate so much food that while I was reading this book I was constantly hungry. I mean everything this girl did revolved around food. Her thoughts were about eating food, looking at food, day dreaming about food, craving food, thinking about her next meal, and she ate so many scones! She would hide them in her pocket and eat them when she got hungry which seemed like it was ALL THE DAMN TIME! This part of the book definitely turned me off. Half the book was about food. This book should be in the Cooking section rather than the Young Adult section. And this was my main reason why I didn't like reading this book as much as I was looking forward to it.

            The plot and characters were interesting, but all this talk about food just made me hungry. I literally ate so much while reading this book that I was stuffed. 

But one thing I did like about Elisa was her transformation from a shy, dispassionate, useless girl to a hero who loved who she was. I liked her determination to keep moving forward and not give up on what she has set her mind to.

A Beautiful Evil #2 by Kelly Keaton

Genre: Mythology

Hardcover: 285 Pages

Published: February 21, 2012

Series: Gods and Monsters

            1. Darkness Becomes Her

            2. A Beautiful Evil

            3. The Wicked Within

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Myth and mayhem inhabit a richly reimagined New Orleans in this sequel to Darkness Becomes Her.After the epic graveyard battle at the end of Darkness Becomes Her, Ari and her friends know what they’re up against: Ari is facing the Medusa curse and is haunted by the image of what she will become. To make matters worse, the heinous goddess Athena has kidnapped young Violet and is threatening to destroy Ari. 

Ari, along with the superhot Sebastian, is doing everything she can to learn more about Athena and to get Violet back. But the battle of good and evil is bigger than she realizes, and she’s about to be pulled into a world more horrific than she could ever imagine....

My Review:

A Beautiful Evil picks up right where we left off. Ari, who is cursed to become a gorgon when she turns 21 is training to tap into her dormant powers so she can face Athena and rescue her friend Violet and her father. Ari has been fighting the Novem--the supernatural families that run New 2-- to let her research in their secret library to find a way to Athena's secret realm to break her curse.

            TBH, this is a very frustrating book to read. I was iffy to begin this book, given my conflicted thoughts about the first book and my low rating. All of my issues with book one have transformed to book two. The book started with an interesting beginning and captured my attention, however towards the middle I lost all interest. The characters seemed dull this time around and I had a hard time connecting with each of them. Like I said before a mix of supernatural and mythology is something I don't have a taste for and even though this book has an excellent idea the execution was done poorly. Overall, it was egh and I will not be continuing with this series.

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Genre: Mythology

Hardcover: 320 Pages

Published: February 22, 2011

Series: Gods and Monsters

            1. Darkness Becomes Her

            2. A Beautiful Evil

            3. The Wicked Within

Rating:★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

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

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

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

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

My Review:

            Not what I was expecting at all. This book was very different and intrigued me from the beginning. It had a strong beginning, but somewhere towards the middle of the book I started to lose interest. The concept of the book was refreshing, but the story didn't capture my attention till the end.

            The twist on Greek mythology definitely fascinated me because I recently started to get into the whole mythology scene, but I believe the story it self lost my interest. There was just too much going on with the mix of mythology and the supernatural. If the book was focused more on one aspect or the other I think I would have liked it more. The love interest (which is the main reason I continued with the story) seemed genuine and not forced. Many teen books seem to have the love interests forced to like each other or add scenes that are unrealistic. Keaton did a good job at keeping the romance simple and believable. 

                The characters were well rounded and I didn't have the urge to slap, yell, strangle, or curse the main character out so that was indeed a plus. Overall, I give this book a three stars. Many of you might like this book because it's new and intriguing or you like the mix of Greek mythology and the supernatural, however I like these two genres separate.   

Of Triton by Anna Banks

Genre: Mermaids

Hardcover: 246 Pages

Published: May 28, 2013

Series: The Syrena Legacy

            1. Of Poseidon

            2. Of Triton

            3. Of Neptune

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half-Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

Once again, Anna Banks infuses Emma and Galen's points of view with humor, intrigue, and waves of romance.

My Review:

This book did not please me at all. I was bored to death while reading this book and I can't help by compare it to the first one. The thing that annoyed me was the alternating point of views which didn't do the book any favors. The characters seemed to have lost their depth and weren't as interesting as they were in the first book. I was very indifferent towards the characters and their thoughts seemed to be all over the place. For example, after Emma's encounter with Mark she was thinking one thing then after she was thinking another. She wasn't analyzing the situation, but instead she was changing her mind all together.

            The story it self turned out to be complicated and uninteresting. I read the first book because of the topic of mermaids. I haven't read many books on mermaids and I was very excited to read this one. However, my expectations hit the floor after reading the first book. I read the sequel because I wanted to give this story another chance, but that didn't work out. If you like books that are simple and don't have a lot of depth then this is definitely a book for you. However, I just wasn't into it. 

Dreaming Awake #2 by Gwen Hayes

Genre: Mythology

Paperback: 336 Pages

Published: January 3, 2012

Series: Falling Under

            1. Falling Under

            2. Dreaming Awake

            3. TBA

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own.

And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start…

My Review: 

To be honest I don't really know why I continued with the second book in this series since the first book was an epic fail for me. I'm sad to inform you all that I felt the same this time around. I don't know maybe I was bored or just needed something to read, but I read this book and I'm not really surprised at the lack of originality. I know many people liked this story, but for me the entire problem was in the originality of the story. There wasn't any.            

            First off, the story is based off of Hades and Persephone which I think is very much over used. The concept is pretty interesting and can be turned into something epic, but there has just been too many young adult books that are trying to pull this unique story off and just failing. Secondly, the female lead is a ditz. At times I was surprised at how stupid this girl was. You can't fall in love with someone in an instant. It takes time and patience to make a relationship work, but this chick was ridiculous. 

         Mostly my problem was with getting interested in this book. I tired my best to keep my eyes open and the story did get interesting about half way through the book. However, by that time I didn't feel like continuing with this series. Overall, it was just eghh. From what I have heard many people liked this series and I read some good reviews. So if this is the type of book you are interested in then definitely give it a try, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. 

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Paperback: 324 Pages

Published: March 1, 2011

Genre: Mythology 

Series: Falling Under

            1. Falling Under

            2. Dreaming Awake

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

My Review:

            There are four things that make a book good in my opinion. The storyline should be interesting enough to keep me hooked. The characters should be strong and independent willing to stand up for themselves. The writing style should be written to target the audience the story in being written for. Finally, the addictiveness of a book can basically make or break a story for me.

            In Falling Under, the storyline was catchy enough to get me to read the first book. I was hooked on the idea of dream sequencing and being able to meet the mysterious man that comes to me in my dreams. That is a pretty cool topic and definitely got me interested. The writing style is where things started to go downhill. The author used a lot of Jane Austen references and the story seemed like it was written for an old lady. I honestly didn't like how the writing was not written for the targeted audience, but instead it was complex and got confusing at times.

           

             The characters were a pain in the ass. They had no depth or creativity and because of this the book was a fail for me. I couldn't muster up any enthusiasm for the characters when they were acting like idiots. For example, when  Theia was suddenly in the underworld she wasn't surprised at all. She didn't freak out or get scared. Um...the initial reaction of someone who is magically taken to another dimension should freak the hell out and possible poop in their pants. But Theia just blinked her eyes like she was expecting this to happen. I found this to be ridiculous and that's why I give this book only two stars.