I've decided to repost some reviews for books available this month.
Enjoy!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Incarnate
by Jodie Meadows
Published by HarperCollins
Available January 31,2012
synopsis (from Goodreads)
NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.
NOSOUL
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?
HEART
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?
Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life
MY REVIEW
What happens when everyone you know has been reincarnated over and over and retains memories of their previous lives? Now imagine that you are a 'new soul', a person who's soul is a new life. You haven't lived before. You have millenia of 'catchup' to do. This happens to Ana, the main character of INCARNATE. She is born into the family of Li and Menhem. She was supposed to be the reincarnation of Ciana but something went wrong and Ciana is no more, instead Ana is alive.
The character of Ana took some getting used to, she was cynical, defensive and very angry. When you read the book and understand her upbringing, you'll understand her anger. I, myself, was angry with not only her mother, Li, but everyone in the city of Heart who gave her a difficult time about being a 'new soul'.
The relatioship between Ana and Sam was somewhat difficult to accept. I kept thinking of Sam as a patient, much older, teacher, rather than a romantic interest.
Now onto the fun stuff, DRAGONS, SYLPH (creatures who can burn you with a mere touch). So many fantasy creatures! How wonderful.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not certain I would want to live in a society where all my foibles and fears are known by everyone. All my mistakes are remembered from life to life. Works ok for Sam and the others in the book.
I am anxiouslly awaiting the next installment of this series.
The Way We Fall
by Megan Crewe
publisher Disney-Hyperion
Publication date: January 24,2012
synopsis (from Goodreads)
It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.
And then you're dead.
When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.
Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.
Because how will she go on if there isn't?
Megan Crewe crafts a powerful and gripping exploration of self-preservation, first love, and hope. Poignant and dizzying, this heart-wrenching story of one girl’s bravery and unbeatable spirit will leave readers fervently awaiting the next book in this standout new series.
MY REVIEW
Depressing, morbid, and oddly fascinating. I had a difficult time with this book.
The story is told in journal form written by Kaelyn, a 16 year old girl. She is writing to her estranged friend Leo. The setting is an island off coast of Canada.
Kae is attempting to turn around her life, she is a shy girl trying to become more outgoing. Then disaster strikes. In the form of a virulent plague/virus. The book follows Kae and her family through the epidemic. We see people dying left and right. Not just nameless, faceless people, but people close to Kae. Friends, and family. She herself gets the virus but is one of a very few spared death. We come to know Kae very well via her writings in her journal. We see the raw emotion as she watches the horror around her. The death, destruction and lawlessness that erupts in the aftermath of the virus. A bright shining star in all this is her friend Gav. A fellow student who tirelessly works to aid others during the epidemic.
The story is well written and easy to follow. I was able to 'feel' the emotions as Kae felt them. The characters had depth and strength, especially Kae's parents. The ending was unfulfilling, but I hope the author will clear things up in a second book. So much was left unsaid, so many of my questions left unanswered. How could an entire community rebuild after such a devastating loss? Guess I'll just have to wait and see.
EVERNEATH
by Brodi Ashton
Published by HarperCollins
publication date Jan24, 2012
egalley provided by NetGalley for honest review
synopsis (from Goodreads)
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.
She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.
As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's..
MY REVIEW
I love books with a mythological flair to them. This novel by debut author Brodi Ashton was no exception. She seamlessly integrated many aspects of mythology with modern day existence.
Becks is a 17 year old girl who is in a relationship with Jack. Things go sour and she escapes to the 'underworld' with Cole, an Everliving. She spends roughly a century in hibernation with Cole. A century in the underworld is about 6 months on the surface. After she awakens from this hibernation she decides to return to the surface, remembering nothing of her life except the face of a boy she cannot forget. Sounds like the makings of a great Greek tragedy right? Well, it only gets better.
Becks wasn't supposed to survive her hibernation with Cole. He follows her to the surface to find out why she survived and if she is 'the one'..The next Persephone. Queen of the Underworld. Like Persephone, she must return to the underworld, but will she return as servant or Queen?
Jack doesn't want her to leave at all. He was devastated when she left the first time. Everyone thinks she was in a rehab facility overcoming an addiction to drugs. Only Jack finds the truth about her situation.
Brodi Ashton wrote an amazing novel. This is the first of a trilogy. The start of the book was somewhat slow, it took me several chapters before I was able to fully comprehend the events that occurred in the Everneath. The characters have a depth of emotion that is intensely real. While reading this novel, I felt an entire range of emotions, from anger and sympathy to excitement and laughter. It takes an amazing author to ellicit such emotions from the reader. I cannot wait for the second installement in this series. Brodi left us with quite a cliffhanger. I didn't see it coming until the last chapters!
I give this book 5/5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who likes mythology and YA novels.
COVER FACTOR: WOW!!! 5 star cover!
Friday, January 6, 2012
The Apocalypse Gene
By Suki Michelle and Carlyle Clark
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Global pandemic is raging. Olivya Wright-Ono's once loving home has been converted to a hospice for the dying. Her ability to see auras forces her to witness, with agonizing detail, the vibrant colors of life consumed by malignancy.
The beautiful and troubled, Mikah, is an elite Empath in the ancient Kindred clan, led by the brooding, ever-morphing, monster named Prime. Mikah has learned a terrible truth .
. . the plague is linked to Kindred origins. When Olivya sees evidence of disease creeping into her mother's aura, she has no one to turn to but Mikah. Can he unearth the Kindred secrets and find a cure? Can she trust this boy whose power allows him to manipulate her very emotions?
With her mother's life, and that of the world, in the balance, Olivya and Mikah embark on a quest to stop the Pandemic, only to discover it is far, far more than a mere disease . . .
About the Authors:
Suki Michelle is a life-long Chicagoan, happily divorced and still good friends with her Ex. She lives and writes with her soul-mate, Carlyle Clark. She has one beautiful daughter, Bree, who is the first reader and critic of The Apocalypse Gene, and without her input, it wouldn't be nearly as cool! Suki's other children are of the four-legged type, Dahlia, the German shepherd; Kilala the lazy calico chub-cat; and Koney, the tortoise-shell demon cat from the Seventh Ring.
Carlyle is a burly dude from San Diego. He can look menacing at a glance, but as soon as he opens his mouth, pure intellectual. They are eternally grateful for the day they met at an on-line writer's workshop. They've been together for four years. On the outside. Suki and Carlyle are totally disparate. On the inside, they are the REAL Neo-Twins. You'll have to read The Apocalypse Gene to find out who the Neo-Twins are, but here's a hint: They are twisted devils with mirror-melded auras.
As writers, Suki and Carlyle have complementary skill sets. Lyle is plot master and edgy dialoguer. He is a huge fan of Japanese anime, and he draws upon this to choreograph fight scenes. Suki enjoys painting a character's emotional landscape and writing vivid descriptions. They both have wild imagination.
Suki and Carlyle treasure every opportunity to share their work.
Twitter: @Suki_Michelle
brought to you by
Stuck In Books: YA Fantasy Giveaway Hop
Stuck In Books: YA Fantasy Giveaway Hop: I couldn't pass up being a part of this hop since this is my favorite genre! I have picked 3 hot January releases for this giveaway. He...
Go HERE for information.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Skyfall by Michael Dahl is a middle grade fantasy novel. It is the first of a trilogy about troll hunters.
I received this book as an egalley from NetGalley.com.
I love children's stories, especially middle grade chapter books.
I think kids will love this book, it has just the right amount of creep factor and suspense to engage young children. It was a quick, easy, fun read. My only problem is that it ended too soon. Frankly, I'm getting somewhat annoyed with these trilogies, we have to wait so long for the next installment to be released.
This book will hold the interest of children from beginning to end. The author has an uncanny knack for inserting creepiness in the right spots. Imagine having trolls try to take over your town. Four kids have to save the town from these evil trolls.
The story is well writte, the writing is perfect for the target age group. I look forward to the next book in the series, just hope we don't have to wait too long!
Just found out the next 3 books in the series are available at
Thank you so much!
Monday, January 2, 2012
received from NetGalley for Review
thank you to both NetGalley and Thomas Nelson
for the pleasure of reading this wonderful book.
synopsis (from Goodreads)
A beautiful devotional, brimming with the wit and wisdom of Jane Austen and the timeless truths of Scripture.
The works of Jane Austen can transport a reader to a world that exudes beauty, peace, wisdom, wit, and love. Captivating audiences for 200 years, the works of Jane Austen continue to capture today's readers in droves.
This daily devotional includes short excerpts from the Austen classics, and a devotional thought and Scripture that meaningfully translates to women's daily lives. Offering temporary transport to a simple and peaceful place, women will love taking a moment to revel in the beauty and truth of a Scripture paired with excerpts from Northanger Abbey, Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and Emma.
MY REVIEW
A Jane Austen Devotional
published by Thomas Nelson
available January 10, 2012
A must have if you are a lover of Jane Austen and Jesus Christ. This book is a wonderful blend of tidbits from Jane's books and Biblical passages. The lessons put forth are related to Ms. Austen's characters with a perfect blending of her writings and those from the scriptures.
I received this book as a NetGalley egalley, but I will purchase as soon as available, this is one I want to keep with me at all times.
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