Dark Kiss (Nightwatchers, #1) by Michelle Rowen

Buy the book: 

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / IndieBound

Author's:

Webpage / Twitter / Facebook /

Book summary:

"I don't do dangerous.

Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha—that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me…something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing—and I don't know if I can get it back.

Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me."

What I thought about it...

     So... Let's start with easy part. I love this cover - it's probably one of the prettiest covers this year. Too bad that what was between the covers wasn't so good. Maybe the problem is in me because I've read few good reviews about Dark Kiss and I wanted for a while now to read a really good book involving angels.  (If you, guys, have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.)

     My biggest problem with Michelle Rowen's novel was that it didn't feel believable. I know what you are going to say - it is fantasy, it's not realistic - but, in my opinion, for fantasy novels it's even a bigger deal that while you are reading it, you have a feeling that it truly could happen the way author described it. That's why it's important to make sure that plot doesn't have loose ends or that what motivates characters is set out really clearly. Problem with Dark Kiss was plot - it sounds great and interesting, but there is too much repetition and you get lost in Samantha's thinking and going over and over the same stuff. You don't have write again what happened on the next ten pages - we read it, we know.

     No matter all the things I found lacking, I still enjoyed in this book - well, I did read it in one day. I like that it has dark atmosphere and that nothing isn't the way it seems. I'm intrigued by Bishop and his past and that's why I'll read next book - Wicked Kiss.

     Just to make sure you get the whole picture about Dark Kiss, here's few reviews I think that should help you:

A Cupcake and a Latte

The Reader Bee

Linny's Literature

Vampire Book Club

Until next time,

***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, Harlequin Teen. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

Dreamless (Starcrossed, #2) by Josephine Angelini

Buy the book:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository 

Author's:

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Book description:

"As the only Scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.
Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.
As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos."

What I thought about it...

     Are you, Jose Angelini, one of the descendants of, um, I don't know... Is there Greek goddess of torturing by cliffhangers? Just to make one thing clear - I wouldn't mind if you leave the love story as it is. Yes, I am that kinky.

     Second book in Starcrossed series picks up where first one ended so maybe it would be good idea if you refresh your memory before you start reading. Dreamless is more focused on Helen's role in the new world she found herself part of. Don't be disappointed, there's going to be lot of emotional tensions - all suckers for romance will be really happy because there's a new boy. And he's not just any boy - I'm still in team Lucas, now even more than before: good boy is seriously gone bad. Actually, all characters are darker and whole book has this gothic feeling especially parts about the Underworld. But I have to admit one thing. I love strong and believable female characters more than hot, bad, bookish boys and Helen is definitely in this group.

     I think that even if you didn't enjoyed that much in the first book, you are going to devour this one. All the things I found lacking in the Starcrossed is set on the right path in sequel. Josepine Angelini is growing up as the author and I think I have a new girl crush (latest one was on Tara Kelly). Speaking about Josephine, check out her blog post Photos vs Imagination - is it good thing to put faces on the covers and how does it influence the way readers imagine characters. One more reason why I like this girl so much. What do you think? Do you  agree with Josephine?

Until next time,

***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, Harper Teen. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

The Glimpse by Claire Merle

Book summary

Once you've seen into the future, can you change your destiny?

In a near future, society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed to mental illness. 17-year-old Ana has been living the privileged life of a Pure due to an error in her DNA test. When the authorities find out, she faces banishment from her safe Community, a fate only thwarted by the fact that she has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell. 
Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana’s condition, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a tentative reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday, she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana’s joining ceremony and her birthday loom closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a ‘normal’ life. But then Jasper disappears.
Led to believe Jasper has been taken by a strange sect the authorities will not intefere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society and into the pits of the human soul. And as she delves deeper into the mystery of Jasper's abduction she uncovers some devastating truths that destroy everything she has grown up to believe, but she also learns to love as she has never loved before.

I don't know if I should say finally or not! I really had hard time with this book. When you get to the point that you actually have to encourage yourself to keep reading you know it's not good. Now after I've finally gone through whole book I'm confused. I'm not confused with the story. I'm confused about my opinion of it.

The whole concept of the story is actually not so bad. I mean it's extreme but still it's new and I like new, innovative ideas. The writing was not the best for me. It couldn't keep me focused. I couldn't feel anything, only words coming one after another creating one story, which I'm afraid will be forgettable.

I won't tell you about the story itself because more than enough you can read in the summary. I also won't rate this book as I don't know how. 

Until the next time, 

***NOTE:  Copy of this book is provided by publisher via NetGalley. Thank you.

I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as a lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Buy the book:

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / IndieBound / The Book Depository

Author's:

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

     I've been doing a little research about Josephine Angelini last night and I found her blog. What made me smile was this post - Final Dreamless ARC giveaway. One of the tasks was to answer this question:

"If you had to pick a theme song for the STARCROSSED series, which one would it be?"

     If you read comments, you'll see some pretty hectic choices. First song that came to my mind was I've Got To See You Again by Norah Jones - find it and listen it - I think that lyrics are perfect.

Book summary:

"Helen Hamilton has always tried to hide how different she is—no easy feat on an island as small as Nantucket, and only getting harder as she finds herself haunted by hallucinations and vivid nightmares.
It's not until she crosses paths with Lucas Delos at school that Helen's true heritage is finally revealed. Yet even as Lucas helps her awaken to her startling powers, they can never be together—not unless they can break free from the tragic destiny the Three Fates have in store."

What I thought about it... 

     Starcrossed, alongside with Until I Die by Amy Plum, was one of the books with pretty covers I wanted badly to read last year. And then it was published, I read few negative reviews and I already was disappointed with Until I Die, so I gave up. Other than that, I was sceptical about novels based on Greek mythology. Maybe it was good that I waited this long - I had to read some bad books first so I could appreciate what Josephine Angelini had done in Starcrossed.

     Lot of people compare this book with Twilight - there are few similar elements like new mysterious family in small town, clumsy girl and just a tiny bit of stalkerish tendencies. Considering that there are maybe even more ant-Twilight readers out there than pro-Twilight readers, I shouldn't have been surprised by mixed reactions.

     I'm a big fan of Twilight so I didn't have problems with Starcrossed. There is perfectly clear explanation for everything - don't start throwing imaginary daggers on Josephine after first fifty pages. Yes, that was the "weakest" part of the plot, little bit repetitive and slightly annoying with all that talking about cramps Helen was having (there's even explanation for that and I loved it). Characters are stereotypical for this kind of young adult novels, especially family members and friends, but that's what I expected.

     The biggest plus for me was the way author used Greek mythology. This is why you should refresh your knowledge about Homer's Iliad and Greek mythology in general - you'll understand it better that way.

     All of you with weak spot for star-crossed lovers will love chemistry between Helen and Lucas. I liked the beginning of their story the most. But that cliffhanger...Ugh... You'll need second book as soon as possible!

     Talking about sequel, Dreamless is coming out on May 29th and I know that some of you can't wait for it. So, make sure to stop by later this week because we are doing ARC review.

My rating: 4/5

Until next time, 

What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor

Book summary: 

Getting drunk homecoming night your senior year is never a good idea, but Jake Hayes never expected it all to end with a car crash and a t-post embedded in his throat. 

His biggest regret about it all? What he never said to Samantha Shay. He's been in love with her for years and never had the guts to tell her. Now it's too late. Because after that night, Jake will never be able to talk again.

When Jake returns to his small island home, population 5,000, he'll have to learn how to deal with being mute. He also finds that his family isn't limited to his six brothers and sisters, that sometimes an entire island is watching out for you. And when he gets the chance to spend more time with Samantha, she'll help him learn that not being able to talk isn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Maybe, if she'll let him, Jake will finally tell her what he didn't say before, even if he can't actually say it.

Here I'm again, with my all time I'll try not to give 5 stars to every book that make me cry "problem". At the end I always manage not to listen to myself. I know that a lot of you won't agree with me about this book and yes true, maybe it doesn't deserve 5 stars and maybe the writing could've been better and so on. But I  enjoyed in this book and that's the only thing that matters. 

It's hard to say anything about the story as too much is said in the summary. If you, like me, don't read blurbs then you'll be surprised or better said shocked, again as me, when you find out about the accident. Jake is like any other senior year student. He plays football, hangs out with his friend and thinks about his future. Everything seemed normal until the accident. He thinks that for him everything is over, because he is not like "normal" people again. He is mute. Only after one person shows him her real self and everything she bares on her shoulders he will understand that not being able to talk isn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to you.

So this is story about teenagers and all the stupid decisions they make, all the doubts they have and all the words and actions that they're afraid to say or make. This is also the story about life. At the end this is the story that will made you consider your actions and maybe change your views. That's why I'm putting this book on my YA Saves Reading Challenge. 

Until the next time, 

***NOTE:  Copy of this book is provided by publisher via NetGalley. Thank you.

I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as a lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal. 

YA Saves Reading Challenge 2012

I've been checking our my Twitter account when I read tweet which led me to this amazing reading challenge hosted by The Busy Bibliophile and Patricia's Particularity.

Here is how Patricia explained what is YA Saves:

What is YA Saves Reading Challenge? & What Books Can You Read?
YA Saves Reading Challenge is a way to challenge yourself to read any Young Adult book that can be considered a YA Saves book.  What is a YA Saves book you may ask?  It is a book that tackles hard issues, in any genre (fantasy, contemporary, etc) as long as it is Young Adult.

And why would you do this?

First, to have fun reading! Second, to gain more knowledge and understanding about real life issues that affect many people.

Minimum books to complete the challenge is ten, but I'm sure that Tanychy and I would be able to post much more!

Until next time,

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Today is time for second book in Divergent series. Yes it's time for Insurgent.

Book summary:

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

First I want to warm you that there will be spoilers if you haven't read Divergent! So trust me and don't read this review. When we're up to this may I ask...WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WAITING FOR??

I really don't know how Veronica manage to do this, but anyway she’s doing it right. Thank you really for writing these books, I'll always appreciate it. 

For me second book in series is always tricky one, especially after Divergent. Luckly Veronica wrote great book again. Maybe is not as good as Divergent, but still I love it. Maybe Hunger Games is more “realistic“ but again we don’t know what have happened to the world as we know it. That’s what I really like here, all that mystery. Now back to the story.

This book is different form Divergent, by that I mostly mean characters are different. Now after everthing, Tris is different. She wants to do more and I understand that. After all the sacrifices her parents made she knows that she must do something to help. It’s huge prasure on her back so maybe her actions were extreme in some parts of the book, but without doing so she would never realize how stupid that was.  I dunno if it’s just me, but Four is also different. I had some strange feeling like he is not that sweet Four who would do anything for Tris. Maybe he is like Tris, he wants to do more and he doesn’t know his limits. I could keep guessing as much as I want but the fact is that I have to wait until next book in series. While I’m talking about changes I must add that after Divergent, my faction was Amity, but after Insurgent I’m not so sure. As much as I’m for peace I really couldn’t sit down and watch everything what’s going on. So yes like majority of people I’m Divergent.

I really hope that you’re not like me, that you’ll actually read this book slowly and take your time. You wonder why? Well, this book is full of action, there is always something going on and you need to pay attention because you’ll probably need those details letter in series. But I’m not like that and I couldn’t stop reading this book. Which is not bad as it means that I’ll probably read it again before next book in series.

I must add about that ficitional harem Glass mentioned yesterday, well we’ll see about that. Something is wrong with Four, so right now I’m thinking about what to do with him. Should I give him to somebody else? Or should I wait until the next book? Dunno, but we’ll see. :)

Another thing changed. My opinion about covers. When I first saw them I liked UK covers more. But after reading Divergent and now Insurgent I understand the meaning of these covers. Now I just wonder how the cover for the next book will look like. 

You should check our blog later, because I hope that Glass will share her opinion of this book soon. 

Until the next time, 

Divergent by Veronica Roth...(what Glass thought about it)

Don't you just love this cover?

Book summary:

   In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
   During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

      I've been a bad little reader. A bad, bad reader!

     It seems that everyone I know read Divergent before me. Any respectable bookworm over twenty years wouldn't allow to be labeled as one-who-doesn't-follow-hyped-releases. Well, did I tell that  I was a really bad reader lately?

     My fellow partner in blogging crime, Tanychy, posted her review of this novel last month. She was mesmerized by the dystopian storyline and strong characters. But I wouldn't be me if I don't do or say something "blasphemic"...

     It took me a while to get into the story. It was fun to read, don't get me wrong, but somehow I didn't find a whole fictional dystopian society much believable. Am I the only one who still don't get the point of factions? I know - Veronica Roth explained that society had found new order of things to prevent conflict and war - I didn't buy it. There must be something more. I hope she'll develop this aspect of the story in next two books. I should probably blame The Hunger Games for this - it's going to be hard task to find another dystopian novel that will keep up expectations this book set up for me.

     Everything else was perfect. As the matter of fact, so perfect that I was able to overlook everything else above and give Divergent five star rating.  What I liked the most? Characters. Tris and Four are girl and boy with positive and negative sides like any normal human beings - that's what makes them so real. Tris isn't a "wallflower" waiting for someone to save her from "big bad wolf". She is selfish, selfabsorbed and temperamental. Tobias doesn't treat her as something breakable. He isn't represented as Edward-arian hero - Four is moody boy with big case of cocky attitude and no filter between his brain and mouth when it comes to Tris. Other thing I liked? Tattoos. They have nice background story.

     All you girls out there, consider yourselves warned! Tanychy has already put Four in her bookish boyfriends harem (if you don't know what harem means, see it here). And that girl doesn't like to share!

    Make sure to stop by tomorrow - Tanychy will reveal you if she thinks this series is worth reading 'till the end. Yes, we are talking about Insurgent - second instalment of Divergent series was published on May 1st.

Until next time,

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Legacy of a Dreamer by Allie Jean

Release day: May 3rd, 2012.
Author: Allie Jean
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop
Buy the book: TWCS / Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Allie Jean's: Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Book summary

   Chantal Breelan is a ward of the state, living under the care of a woman who is cold and heartless. Her past is a mystery, and her future is even more uncertain. She can’t recall why she had been taken from her parents and so she’s left with nothing but an empty hole where her childhood should have been. When she awakens from her nightmares, she’s left with terrible, violent images, as well as a boy whose face is oddly familiar, yet can’t be placed.
   Scared and alone, Chantal begins to confide in an imaginary friend – a shadow in the shape of a man who stands in the corner of her room. She is comforted when she believes he listens to her.
   On her eighteenth birthday, Chantal is forced to leave her foster home. She moves to New York City, but the start of her new life doesn’t begin as smoothly as she’d hoped. In this environment, she faces a whole new set of challenges.
   One night at a subway station, Chantal meets a young boy who runs away from her, and she’s compelled to follow him down into the tunnels. But this Rabbit Hole reveals a world where reality is a nightmare. Her dreams are clues to her future, and her life becomes twisted and dangerous when she learns that things that go bump in the night are not just in fairy tales and childhood stories.

All you angel loving people out there, this book is just waiting for you. You have good angels and bad angels - although they are not exactly the angels. And even good ones have thair secrets. There's this wierd girl with wild dreams who talks with her shadow friend to keep bad dreams away.  And one day, her hero turns out to be real boy. But that's not a good thing as it looks - but it does has its perks! I have to say that I was a bit disappointet with the ending - it could've been written so much better. Today we have Allie Jean with us - she's going to tell you which was the most difficult and which was the easiest scen for her to write.

Guest post by Allie Jean

     The most difficult scene I had to write was near the ending, when Chantal gives herself up in exchange for Lydia. It's has powerful imagery of giving one's self over for someone else. And even though Chantal learns how important she is and how others fight to keep her alive, she is willing to sacrifice herself for someone she's grown to care for.

     In my mind, it mirrored the scene in Narnia, when Aslan gives himself up to the White Witch. It is very poetic and has so many double meanings that go along with the theme of the book. Chantal has faith that her sacrifice is the right thing to do. It was a powerful yet very intense scene for me to write.

      The easiest scenes for me to write are the battle scenes, strange as that may seem. I can picture the whole thing in my head. I love making the weaponary in my head and pulling all kinds of odd things out of the Shade for the warriors to fight with. And the monsters... well, like I said...Thriller. As far as the hand to hand combat goes, I must have been a ninja fighter in another life. Or, again, I can blame my dad for the memorable afternoons watching old Bruce Lee movies when I was young.

And the giveaway...

     Do you want to win paperback copy of Legacy of a Dreamer? Yes? Well, fill out Refflecopter form, come back every day for more enteries and keep your fingers crossed! Giveaway is international and it'll run until May 30th. Winner will be contacted via e-mail and she or he will have to claim their prize within 48 hours. If not, we'll announce another winner. Good luck!

Until next time,

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you post

Hello all! Today I wanted to say thank you to some AWESOME bloggers. We can say that this is some sort of IMM post! I won books on their giveaways and finally all of them arrived so I can say thank you to all of them. First here are the books I've got:

And now I'll go by order...

Thank you Deb for sending me Changing My Wardrobe ! 

You can find her on her blog Deb Hanrahan! She is really wonderful! 

Also don't forget that Changing My Wardrobe blog tour stops here at 2nd June and little bird told me that there will be giveaway also ;) 

Thank you Christina for sending me Bitten by Kelley Armstrong! 

I still haven't read the book, but I'll soon!! :)

Don't forget to visit Christina's blog Just A Girl Geek! 

Thank you Paula for sending me Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare! 

I've read the book and I love it!! Really amazing series! :)

Also don't forget to check out her blog PaulaSHx! 

Thank you Isis for sending me Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and Divergent by Veronica Roth! 

I've read both and I absolutely love them! :)

You will find Isis on her blog Isis Rushdan! 

Thank you Michelle for sending me Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta! 

I haven't read the book yet but I have no doubts that I'll love it! :)

You'll find Michelle on her blog O'Boyled Books! 

Thank you Jena for sending me Half-Blood and Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout! 

I adore both books and I can't wait for Deity! Covers are wonderful! :)

Jena has one really popular blog so if you haven't you should check it out Shortie Says! 

That's it for now! Who knows maybe soon I'll win more books! Luckily my shelf grows bigger and bigger ;)


Until the next time,