Tag Archives: YA

DARKNESS BREAKS (Darkness Falls #2) by Jessica Sorensen-a review

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Darkness Breaks by Jessica Sorensen-a review

DARKNESS BREAKS (Darkness Falls #2) by Jessica Sorensen

DARKNESS BREAKS is the second novel  (June 2012 release) in Jessica Sorensen’s Darkness Falls YA series. Continuing immediately after Darkness Falls, Kayla continues to struggle with her new ‘humanity’. Once a powerful Bellator, Kayla is barely able to hold her own against the zombie-like vampires roaming the ash-laden and fire-ravaged city. Without the daily injections that make her stronger and faster, Kayla must consider whether to become a Day-Taker like Sylas or risk losing everyone she once loved to the mutant strain of vampire virus. As the ONE who will be humanity’s savior, Kayla knows that there is only one option. And the once feared Highers will reveal themselves to be a bigger threat than anyone had thought possible.

Sylas and Kayla continue their nightly hunts, and only Kayla remains impervious to the vampire virus. But years of captivity and experiments have left Kayla without her memories and no one is willing to help her regain them back. Imprisoned against their will as children, Kayla, Sylas and his brother Aiden, as well as numerous other children, were subjected to daily injections and training in order to determine who was capable of saving the world. Without their special abilities,the children were eventually eradicated and their whereabouts unknown. And to complicate matters, many do not know if their special abilities and affinities were manufactured by the doctors at the Colony, or part of their own DNA. And once outside the Colony, the lies will continue to perpetuate the cycle of abuse.

Outside of the Colony, Kayla must face those who were once her friends and are now considered the enemy, but many of these former captives, hold the secrets to Kayla’s memories. Ryder holds the ‘key’ to Kayla’s past, but Aiden holds the memories that the key will unlock: young Emmy can help bring forward the past, but Maci sees a future that continues to change. Sylas has the ability to manipulate emotions, but in truth he says he can never lie. And where does that leave Kayla? These people must survive if Kayla is ever able to regain her past. The memories that come unbidden will show that there was something behind the Red Door and Cell 7 was the place where everything began.

As a Day Taker, Sylas is a hybrid of sorts-half human/half vampire with the ability to stay awake during the daylight hours, and this will ensure Kayla has someone to keep watch while she battles the unknown. But Sylas and Kayla will encounter a new-hybrid that will threaten their safety once again. Only this time, the experiment has gone totally wrong. And for Kayla to survive she must become the very thing she was programmed to destroy.

There is a love triangle between Kayla, Sylas and Aiden, and Kayla’s memories will slowly reveal that she was close to both young men throughout most of her life and now Kayla’s humanity remains in question when Sylas and Aiden are a different ends of the spectrum. One wants her to remain human while the other demands she take the next step. Tristan returns but his intentions towards Kayla add to an otherwise tense situation
and it is revealed, that Tristan is not the same boy that Kayla once loved at the Colony. But where Kayla is concerned, nothing will ever be simple and in the end, there will be another form of hybrid, that is impervious to the vampire virus and is able to walk in the sun. And the virus? What will be revealed behind Cell7 and the Red Door is a struggle for perfection that went horribly wrong.

DARKNESS BREAKS is a vampire tale with a twist. These are not your beautiful, sexy vampires, but are the rotting, life-destroying creatures of your worst nightmare. The small group of friends will lose a member while another’s fate is unknown. Lies and betrayal will build walls that will be difficult to tear down but there is still the hope that one young girl will be the savior that either saves the world or tears it completely down. Darkness Breaks is fast paced, well written and finishes with a cliff hanger, that like the characters will keep you wondering what was a lie and what was the truth.

Copy supplied by author.

ORDER LINKS:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paper Books
B&N Nook and Paper Books
The Book Depository

Reviewed by Sandy

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Flicker by Kaye Thornbrugh – a Review

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Flicker by Kaye Thornbrugh – a Review

Flicker by Kaye Thornbrugh is her debut novel, which is considered YA Urban Fantasy. 

Book Description:
When sixteen-year-old artist Lee Capren is spirited away to Faerie and forced to serve capricious faeries as a prized portrait artist… and live as their prisoner.

With the help of Nasser, a charming Seer with magical powers, Lee escapes to a sprawling city where supernatural creatures walk hidden among humans—but what felt like days in Faerie spanned years back home, and Lee’s old life is utterly gone.

Joining a rag-tag group of teenage Seers and beguiling creatures, Lee discovers powers she never knew she had—and feelings for Nasser she never imagined she could feel after all she’s lost. But when a mysterious and cunning faery threatens all their lives, she learns just how far she’ll go to save those she cares about: through the city’s supernatural underworld, and into another world entirely.

Review:
We meet the heroine of the book right from the start.  Lee Capren is a 16 year old girl, who loves to draw, and does not socialize much, and even alienates her one friend.  Lee takes a walk into the woods after her argument with her friend, and her mother.  She steps into an unseen realm of the fey.

Filo Shine and Nasser meet up, while Nasser is looking for his brother, Jason.  Once close friends, Nasser and Filo only talk when necessary.  But Nasser needed to find Jason, and asked Filo for help.   Later Nasser steps into the Fey realm to look for his brother.  Nasser, being a seer, has enough magic to prevent the Fey from reaching out to him.  It is there, that Nasser sees the beautiful young girl, totally out of it, drawing all kinds of designs.  Something about the girl attracts Nasser.  He tries to take the girl away, as he knows she is human.  But Byrony, a drayad, stops him, but a deal is made to allow Nasser to take the girl.  Something that will come back to haunt them later on.

When Lee is taken by Nasser to stay temporarily with Filo, to keep her safe, she doesn’t understand why she can’t go home.  She finds out, though it takes her time to believe it, that in what she thinks is only a short time, perhaps an hour or two has passed, Lee discovers 7 years have passed.  Fey time moves faster then the human world.

I have to admit, in the beginning of this book, the story went back and forth between first Lee, then to Filo, then to Nasser, and I found it somewhat confusing.  It really wasn’t until all of them came together, that I found the story to start get interesting. 

I found myself liking Lee a lot.  Wheras, Filo and Nasser had the sight and magic, Lee did not. But she did have some ability for magic, as seen in her drawings.  Filo, though not happy that Lee was there early on, gives her books to read on learning how to use magic.   

Kaye Thornbrug creates a different world, with faeries and the creatures that they are.  But what I find very well done, is the characters that she has created.  They are mostly likable, developed characters.  I enjoyed Lee; Filo at first was annoying, but he got better; Nasser was a nice guy from the start, and you knew he and Lee would be a pair, keep in mind, in the first book at least, there is no romance at all; Jason was a nice guy, who also did not have the sight, but like Lee, he had some magic and his talent was music; then there was Alice, who grew up with the three guys, and also left Filo, like Nasser and Jason.   I really like Alice, and she has potential to be a great character.  Alice has magic, and the sight, as much as Filo and Nasser.   Very good characters that you end up caring about by Thornbrug.

We get to see some of the Faerie world, as they play a huge part of the story, but more so in the eyes of the 5 above and Byrony, the dryad, who is out to get them.  We also get to see two faeries (Morgan and Neman), that own Filo, and how they have taken care of him all his life.  We see their cruel, and at times (not often) nice side, and their treatment of Filo & humans.  We also get a nice look at Umbriel, the faerie prince, who kept Lee for 7 years (or 1 hour in her mind), as a pet, but he was at least nice, and very handsome. 

The last third of the book was very well done, adventure, action, and an exciting climax.  Lee was my favorite character, and I would like to see how she matures in future books, and I also would like to see more of Alice, not to mention Filo, Nasser and Jason.  They made a nice team.  Kaye Thornbrugh did a good job with this world building, and her characters.  I did feel the book was slow and somewhat confusing early, switching back and forth.  But once the team came together, it turned out to be a good book. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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Don’t You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire-Excerpt and Blurb

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Don’t You Wish by Roxanne St.Claire

BLURB: When plain and unpopular Annie Nutter gets zapped by one of her dad’s whacked-out inventions, she lands in a parallel universe where her life becomes picture-perfect. Now she’s Ayla Monroe, daughter of the same mother but a different father–and she’s the gorgeous, rich queen bee of her high school.

In this universe, Ayla lives in glitzy Miami instead of dreary Pittsburgh and has beaucoup bucks, courtesy of her billionaire–if usually absent–father. Her friends hit the clubs, party backstage at concerts, and take risks that are exhilarating . . . and illegal.

But on the insde, Ayla is still Annie.

So when she’s offered the chance to leave the dream life and head home to Pittsburgh, will she take it?

The choice isn’t as simple as you think.
To read an excerpt, go HERE

LINKS to purchase
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paper Books
B&N Nook and Books
The Book Depository

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AMALGAM (Valaran Chronicles #1) by Byron A Wells

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Amalgam (Valaran Chronicles #1) by Byron A Wells

AMALGAM (Valaran Chronicles #1) by Byron A Wells

AMALGAM is the first novel and storyline in new author Byron A Wells sci-fi series the Valaran Chronicles. The description given by the author is definitely MATURE young adult, and the author does not punctuate and inundate the storyline with an alarming amount of scientific jargon similar to many science fiction series and novels. But be warned, this novel should not be read by anyone under 16 due to the graphic nature and premise of some of the scenes.

The premise follows 3 different storylines that at times will overlap but in the end come together for a finale that is well deserved. Hobs is our hero, a young man who knows that he is different from the others in his village. Raised and adopted by Ren, following the death of his parents from the plague, Hobs stood out from the other members of his village-several inches taller, black hair and eyes-and at times, he was the target of the local bad boys and bullies. But following a final vicious attack and assault that left him for dead, Hobs will wake up in an underground facility the likes that no one had ever dreamed.

As the villagers scour for their missing friends, the local bad boys will target Hobs’ father and following a viscious encounter, Ren will meet a similar fate as his son. But there are many in the village that suspect what has happened to Hobs and his father, but the extent of the damage will never be known. And in a final brutal attack, one of Hob’s closest friends will suffer at the hands of 3 young men, and find herself the victim of an assault so personal that revenge will drive Hobs through his days.

As the story progresses, Hobs undergoes a regeneration of sorts. What can only be described as a Cyborg (cybergenic organism) befitting a Star Trek storyline with similar ingredients to many of the most popular sci-fi sagas including Neuromancer by William Gibson and He, She and It by Marge Piercy, the story ventures into the realm of AI. Data transfer through neuro-plugs ala The Matrix and artificial intelligence befitting 2001: A Space Odyssey, Byron A. Wells will take the reader on a journey that can only be described as a fascinating and enlightening look at a sci-fi storyline.

And we must not forget the requisite alien, in all of his nastiness, staking a claim against a people they had once destroyed. Returning to a planet long thought to have suffered the indignities of a genocide, the Scarian beings will fall victim to the one remaining Valaran who has mysteriously ‘survived’ an ethnic cleansing between two warring sides in an inter-galactic war of the worlds.

AMALGAM is a well written and wonderful storyline- a fascinating look at a genre often ignored by many reviewers and readers, if only because of the sci-fi category. This is not your usual hard-core science fiction novel. Having had to read the likes of Robert Heinlein, William Gibson and Marge Piercy for university Engl. Lit classes and the study of science fiction, I found Amalgam to be a much lighter read –not too heavy on the scientific jargon, but interesting enough to keep my attention. A scientific journal is not required to help you define the passages. In fact I read the novel in one sitting.

Copy supplied by Goodreads First Reads

LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
KOBO
B&N Paper books
B&N Nook

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Throne of Glass YA Novella series by Sarah J Maas

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THRONE OF GLASS YA FANTASY SERIES: Novellas

ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD (YA novella #1) by Sarah J Maas

ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD (Jan 13, 2012) is the first novella of four, introducing Celaena Sardothien, a 16year old trained assassin and member of the elite Assassin’s Guild. Sarah J Maas, by way of some earlier novellas guides the reader through the early adventures of Celaena leading to her new YA fantasy novel Throne of Glass in August 2012.

Celaena found it difficult to learn that fellow Guild Assassin and second to Arobynn Hamel -Ben was missing and presumed dead. But when his death was confirmed as well as the death of 3 other members, Celaena and Sam Cortland are sent on a mission to Skull’s Bay (by Arobynn Hamel-King of the Assassins) to retrieve some merchandise from the Pirate Lord. But the merchandise was not what they expected and neither was the mission. To add to their troubles, Celaena must keep her identity a secret and therefore is required to wear protective cloak and mask at all times. As the only 16year old female assassin, Celaena knows she would be targeted if her identity were ever to be known.

Sam and Celaena have trained together most of their lives, but when the cargo they were seeking forces the pair to make a life and death decision, it is Celaena’s reaction that surprises both herself and Sam. Failing the assignment would bring punishment upon their return home.

Assassin and The Pirate Lord is a quick read. The story introduces a few of the characters as well as builds a base for the upcoming YA series. 4 short stories leading to a full-length novel that will be released later this summer, the Throne of Glass novellas are a necessary read allowing the reader a glimpse into the personality and premise of a new YA series.

THE ASSASSIN AND THE DESERT (YA novella #2) by Sarah J Maas

The second novella The Assassin and the Desert (March  30, 2012) in the Throne of Glass series finds 17year old Celaena Sardothien-Adarlan’s greatest assassin severely punished and sent to train with the Silent Assassins in the Red Desert. For defying the King of the Assassins, Celaena is ordered to earn the trust and respect of the Mute Master before returning to Adarlan. But her hopes of an audience with the Mute Master soon vanish when she is forced to undergo the training regimen of the other Silent Assassins. When Celaena catches the eye of the Master’s son, she is suddenly saddened by the memory of her best friend Sam. Not knowing what ever happened to Sam eats away at Celaen’s conscience.

Celaena finds a friend and roommate in Ansel. A young woman with a few secrets of her own, Ansel helps guide Celaena on their daily duties and introduces Celaena to some of the others.

Lord Berik is the cruel and abusive ruler of Xandria. Berik’s men routinely attack the hall of the Silent Assassin, but following the latest attack, Ansel is ordered to seek out the Lord to discuss a form of cease-fire. But Ansel has other plans that do not include a friendly form of peace. When Celaena finds herself drugged and abandoned in the Red Desert, she knows that Ansel’s true intentions were never to protect the Master, but to bring his head to the Lord. Betrayal and death at the hand of a friend, force Celaena to make some decisions that could affect her career as an Assassin.

The Assassin and the Desert continues to tell the story of Celaena as she traverses the pitfalls and traps in her life as an assassin. Building on the premise of her upcoming storyline, Sarah J Maas once again introduces a cast of characters that we will assuredly meet in the new YA release of Throne of Glass.

THE ASSASSIN AND THE UNDERWORLD (YA novella #3)

THE ASSASSIN AND THE UNDERWORLD (May 1, 2012) is novella #3 in the Throne of Glass novella series by Sarah J Maas. Celaena has returned from her summer training with the Mute Assassins of the Red Desert not knowing what to expect from Arobynn. The last time she saw the King of the Assassins, he had brutally beaten her for disobedience, and her and Sam’s interference in a slave trade deal. But returning to the home she has always known would be an enlightening experience and one that she would never forget.

But things had changed. Arobynn welcomed Celaena home with apologies and gifts-something that was completely out of character. Although Celaena was reluctant to accept the gifts as a form of apology, she knew that not to accept could anger Arobynn. And Sam had changed as well and an unknown disappointment surfaced when she realized that perhaps Sam no longer cared. But looks can be deceiving especially when one is always watched. Sam too had suffered for his disobedience, and the thought of losing Celaena, was difficult knowing, he could not protect the most important person in his life.

When Arobynn enlists Celaena’s skills as one of the foremost Assassins, she is more than willing to accept the deal. Hoping to put an end to the slave trade, Celaena is given the directive to assassinate a powerful man ‘involved ‘ in the matter of the slaves. But once again, not is all that it seems. Although Celaena is concerned about the mission, she dismisses her feelings and puts all of her efforts into taking out the man she has been ordered to kill. But when the truth is finally revealed, many will have died at the hands of the young assassin and the one person to whom she owed much, will be the one person to whom she will vow vengeance. The Assassin and the Empire (Novella 4) has yet to be released.

Reviewed by Sandy

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BLURRY by Sherri Fulmer Moorer-a review

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BLURRY by Sherri Fulmer Moorer – a review

BLURRY by Sherri Fulmer Moorer

BLURRY is a novel written by Sherri Fulmer Moorer that can be classified as a murder-mystery. Most of the characters are under 18 years of age, therefore I would classify it as Young Adult, but perhaps Mature Young Adult as the storyline contains several murders. There is mystery, murder, intrigue, secrets, lies and deceit. The story centers around Woodland, South Carolina and the illegal business of street racing.

Kirsten is a young woman, in her last year of high school, but her past relationship with bad boy Danny Elkman has strained the already frazzled edges of her friendship with the girls at school. But her sudden death in a mysterious car accident will start the rumor mill running with reports of tampering, jealousy and lies.

Rachel is the main protagonist. And while away at a weekend Band Clinic for musicians, she meets Layne Vance, who sweeps her off her feet and promises the moon and stars. But a mysterious call to Rachel’s cell phone goes unanswered, and when the police question Rachel, she is unaware as to the nature of the call. Her phone had been missing for several days and she had no idea what had happened.

Once a life-long friend of Kirsten’s, their relationship has been strained since Kirsten started dating Rachel’s ex-Danny. And to complicate the scenario, Kirsten had been accused of seeing someone else-Jake Sonders- on the side that only added to the anger between friends. But as the young teens begin to investigate the truth behind their friend’s secret life, it becomes apparent that there is more than meets the eye.

Josh Miles has been one of the group since childhood. His secret crush on Rachel has been apparent to everyone but Rachel- herself. And when Josh begins to act mysteriously, the others begin to suspect depression or drugs. Warning Rachel off Layne puts another strain on their friendship, but when Josh discovers a connection between Danny and Rachel’s new friend, there is another death in small town South Carolina, that will once again be connected to the illegal pursuit of street racing.

Along the way, we are introduced to many of Kirsten and Rachel’s high school friends. Marielle who vehemently defends Danny: Sasha is a former cheer leader who has been relegated to color guard due to an accident: Zeke, the freshman who has the inside scoop on the police movements in town: Zeke’s brother Micah, who knows more about the investigations and the connections to illegal racing: Natalie who is Rachel’s best friend and soon to be model: and Brooks-Jake Sonders cousin. At some point throughout the storyline every character will be connected by blood, friendship, street racing or revenge.

The night of the senior prom will bring everyone together once again. But friendships have been strained and trust is no longer a fact of life. Deceit and the power of manipulation will reveal that even a life-long friendship or new love relationship is only as true, as the person involved. If a relationship has been based on lies from the start, continuing the lie will only complicate matters throughout the course of events. But everything will catch up when senior prom starts to resemble a scene from Carrie and everyone is locked into their rooms. Someone else will die, but the truth will finally be revealed, that a death during an illegal street race had a far more range of connections and complications than any had thought possible.

BLURRY is a mystery with many potential outcomes. The writing is simple, without graphic violence or language, and although there are murders, there is no graphic detail to fuel the imagination. Like most YA storylines, the adults are conspicuously absent, but the teen’s investigative work rivals that of many cases of corporate espionage and national secrets, and in this particular scenario, I found it difficult to believe their actions. But, BLURRY is a work of fiction and was not an actual accounting. Perhaps some of the storyline is drawn from real life-like the ramifications of illegal street racing, but teens with the ability to ferret out secrets and re-wire the inner workings of an entire city’s closed circuit system, was beyond my imagination. And saying that, BLURRY does keeps the reader in suspense until the end, and that is what a mystery novel should do-believe it or not!! I have no problem recommending this novel.

Copy supplied by author

Reviewed by Sandy

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HUNTING KAT (YA) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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HUNTING KAT (YA) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

HUNTING KAT (e-novella) YA by Kelley Armstrong

HUNTING KAT is a March 2012 re-release, short-story that continues from Kelley Armstrong’s online novella KAT that can be found on the author’s website. Part of the Darkest Powers/Darkness Rising series and originally published in the anthology Kisses From Hell, Hunting Kat is a stand-alone story focusing on 16year old Katiana (Kat) a supernatural being who has been genetically altered and has only come into some of her powers in the previous 6 months. Told from Kat’s POV, Hunting Kat is a very quick read.

Kat and her guardian Marguerite have been on the run for over 11 years. As part of the Edison Project run by the Cabals, Kat was genetically altered so that when she reached maturity, the supernatural part of her DNA would be enhanced. What Kat did not know was that she was a hereditary vampire (silently hoping she was a werecat). Six months ago, a fatal gunshot to the chest would find her in the city morgue without a heartbeat or breath but alive, none-the-less. Now six months later, she and Marguerite were heading to New York to meet other vampires. But taking the car for a morning coffee run was not on the original agenda, and Kat soon found herself the victim of a hit and run and her would-be rescuers knew exactly whom they had found.

Waking up in a small holding cell, Kat was not alone. Two additional captives approximately Kat’s age were also in the cell, claiming to be part of the original Edison Project as well. But someone was lying about his true identity and Kat was not sure who would be more dangerous. Transported to another location, the trio soon devised a plan to break out and escape, only to find themselves facing off against each other. When Kat finally realizes that she has made an error in judgment she will be forced to do the one thing that Marguerite has forbidden her to do-feed from a human source. And in the end, an unlikely friendship will develop between two lost souls who are slowly finding out the truth about what happened over 11 years ago.

HUNTING KAT is an interesting and cute story. I would recommend reading KAT –the online prequel found at Kelley’s website. Some of Kat’s backstory and change is revealed and would help alleviate any questions the reader may have. HUNTING KAT is considered a stand-alone yet still part of the Darkest Powers series of novels. If you are a fan of Kelley Armstrong, you can’t go wrong with this short story.

Reviewed by Sandy

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COVER REVEALS

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Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead/HIdden by PC & Kristin Cast/Echo by Alyson Noel

 

 

TITLE: Indigo Spell

SERIES: Bloodlines

AUTHOR: Richelle Mead

RELEASE DATE: February 12, 2013

 

 

TITLE: Hidden

SERIES: House of Night

AUTHOR: PC & Kristin Cast

RELEASE DATE: October 16, 2012

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Echo

SERIES: Soulseekers

AUTHOR: Alyson Noel

RELEASE DATE: November 2012

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