Review: Thumped -Megan McCafferty

Author: Megan McCafferty
Series: Bumped #2
Pages: 304
Publisher: Blazer & Bray
Release Date: 4/24/12
ISBN-10: 0061962767

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Book Depository

It's been thirty-five weeks since twin sisters Harmony and Melody went their separate ways. Since then, their story has become irresistible to legions of girls: twins separated at birth and living different lives, each due to deliver sets of twins . . . on the same day! In a future where only teens can "bump," or give birth, babies mean money, status, and freedom.

Married to Ram and living in religious Goodside, Harmony spends her time trying to fit back into the community she once loved and believed in. But she can't seem to forget about Jondoe, the guy she fell in love with under the strangest of circumstances.

To her adoring fans, Melody has achieved everything she always wanted: a big, fat contract and a coupling with Jondoe, the hottest bump prospect around. But this image is costing her the one guy she really wants.

Cursed by their own popularity, the girls are obsessively tracked by their millions of fans, who have been eagerly counting down the days to their "Double Double Due Date." Without a doubt, they are two of the most powerful teen girls on the planet, and there's only one thing they could do that would make them more famous than they already are:

Tell the truth.

I loved bumped and couldn't wait to get my hands on thumped! I had to know what would happen to the girls.  There was not a moment during this story that I was bored or that felt slow. It flowed and while it wasn't a terrifying nail biter it makes you think. What would our world be like if this happened? Could you live in a society like that? I think Mrs McCafferty bravely tackled a topic in our society that has many up in arms, and I feel that she did it very well.

Melody and harmony came a long way from the start of bumped. They grew closer and truly cared for each other. I also liked the changes we saw in Johndoe. I'm a little sad to be saying god bye to this story and it's characters. But they got an ending that was touching, heartfelt, and which wrapped up this story in a great way. 

I don't want to discuss the meat of this story because I think it should be experienced as you read the book, but I can say that I hope all of you who have enjoyed Bumped carve out some time to give this a read, and any of you who have been weary to read this series I truly hope you change your minds and give it a try.  I give this one 5 starts and strongly recommend this one to all of you!

Bumped Review

Review: The Goddess Hunt - Aimee Carter

File Size: 256 KB
Print Length: 75 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (March 1, 2012)

A vacation in Greece sounds like the perfect way for Kate Winters to spend her first sabbatical away from the Underworld...until she gets caught up in an immortal feud going back millennia. Castor and Pollux have been on the run from Zeus and Hades' wrath for centuries, hiding from the gods who hunt them. The last person they trust is Kate, the new Queen of the Underworld. Nevertheless, she is determined to help their cause. But when it comes to dealing with immortals, Kate still has a lot to learn....

This was a pretty great novella, it was nice to ease back into Kate's world after being away. I also enjoyed getting to meet new people Castor and Pollux was a story that I always felt close to since I am a Gemini. So getting to see a bit more of there story was great. It was also nice to see Kate missing Henry. I was worried that maybe the 6 months away would wear on there new and fragile relationship. It was also fun to see some of the other gods, Ella and Ava are two of my more favorite Greek goddesses and the way the gods all interact kinda makes me chuckle. I enjoyed this story and the quick peek into Kate's world. I look forward to starting goddess interrupted soon. I give this novella 5 stars.

Review: Monstrous beauty -Elizabeth Fama

Age Range: 12 and up
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 4, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0374373663

Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences.

Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago.

Goodreads/Amazon /Barnes & Noble/Book Depository

This wasn't your typical mermaid story, but yet it was an amazing story. The story of Syrenka and Ezra will wrap itself around you and hold you close until the end. This wasn't a happy tale, it was a tale of love, betrayal, heartbreak and loss. Yet with all this sadness it was beautiful. 

Syrenka and Ezra had a rough time of it, he was a human and she was a mermaid. Through unhappy circumstance Syrenka became a human and for a while they were happy. When her past catches up with her tragedy strikes and sets in motion a curse that will last for generations.

Hester lives a kind of lonely life she has friends but will never get closer. She doesn't want to fall in love or have children, for if she does she fears she will die a few days later like her mother and grandmother and so on. There is so much that goes into this that to say much more might spoil something. Just know that this is a beautifully written tale that will suck you in. 

I would recommend this to everyone even if you don't like mermaids, for this isn't your typical mermaid tale. I give this one 5 stars!

Review: Pandemonium - Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins ebooks (February 28, 2012)
Pint Length: 337 pages
Language: English

After falling in love, Lena and Alex flee their oppressive society where love is outlawed and everyone must receive the "cure" - an operation that makes them immune to the delirium of love - but Lena alone manages to find her way to a community of resistance fighters. Although she is bereft without the boy she loves, her struggles seem to be leading her toward a new love.

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Book Depository

I feel compelled to start this by saying Lauren Oliver is evil! I was hooked by Delirium, it grabbed me a wouldn't let me go, I thought there is no way pandemonium could be any better, if I'm lucky it might be just as good. Well let me tell you I don't know how she did it but, wow! Just pure simple wow! 

Lena was totally kick ass in this book. Like the reference between old Lena and new Lena, you could definitely see the difference. While there were times where he was scared she faced it all down head on. She fought like crazy for her life and for the ones she cared about. I also loved that at times she didn't just do what others told her to she followed her heart and her gut and did what she felt was right. 

The one thing I thought I was going to hate was how things with Alex were handled. I fell in love with him in Delirium, and didn't thing I would enjoy a book that didn't have tons and tons of Alex. Again...I was wrong, there was enough action with Lena to make up for it. I also kind of maybe fell in love with Jillian. He really surprised me, there were times where I thought that things would end badly, but he surprised me and captured my heart. 

There was so much going on in this book. We got to meet the scavengers, the resistance, and we got an awesome look at Lena's life in the wilds. There was action, suspense, and betrayal. This book had everything that you could possibly ask for and then some. I have no clue how I am going to wait for the next book to come out because that ending was killer! I'm giving this one 5 stars and strongly urge anyone who hasn't read this series yet to go and do so very quickly!

Review: Obsidian - Jennifer L. Armentrout

Reading level: Ages 15 and up
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Entangled Teen; 2 edition (May 8, 2012)

 Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don't kill him first, that is.

I went into this not expecting much. I thought it might just be really corny. I couldn't be more wrong

Listening to Katy talk about her blog made me smile. A main character who was like me, a big gushy book nered, how could I not love it? When we first meet Dameoon I kinda wanted to punch him. But I quickly fell in love with his sister Dee. And watching Dee and Katy grow closer as friends was nice even though Daemon never lets an opportunity go by to tell Katy that her and Dee shouldn't be friends. I also loved the love/hate between Katy and Daemon. I loved the scenes with them, the tension and feelings really came through. Now lets get to the part you all want to hear about...the Aliens...yeah I know, I feared for the worst too, but I enjoyed the Alien aspect, and the powers we begin to see them demonstrate. 

The story really never seemed to slow down once it got started, and kept me reading cause I just had to know what would happen next. I gave this one 4 stars, and really guys go give this a read if you haven't already!

Review: The Gathering - Kelley Armstrong

Reading level: Ages 13 and up
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (April 12, 2011)

Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.
Until now.
Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

I wanted to read this book, and I picked it up a few times and put it back down. I was afraid I wouldn't like it as much as the Darkest Powers books. Once I got past that fear I loved this book. Maya was pretty awesome! She is adopted, but happy and loved, she likes where she lives and has an afinity for animals. She takes care of injured animals and releases them back into the wild. Her best friend Daniel always has her back and is someone I would love to hang out with. I also really liked Rafe, even if he wasn't always doing what I thought he should be. 

Watching Maya and Daniel investigate the reporter who shows up in there tiny town was fun, yet a little spooky. And watching Maya and Rafe get to know eachother was both heart warming and frustrating. The end part of this book had me on the edge of my seat and flipping the pages until I hit the last one and just about cried becuase I wanted to keep reading. 

The story, setting, and characters sucked me in and kept me turning the pages. I learned something while reading this book, I should never doubt Kelley Armstrong! I give this one 5 stars!

Review: The Daughter of Smoke and Bone - Lani Taylor

R

Reading level: Ages 15 and up
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1st edition (September 27, 2011)

 Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

There was quite a bit of hype for this book, and I was anxious to get my hands on it. When I finally got it in my hott little hands I devoured it. I adored Karou, and how she knew her life wasn't normal, but she was happy anyway. I love her monster family! As she is running an errand for her "father" she encounters Akiva, he is beautiful, dangerous, and deadly. They fight, she runs, and he chases, he finds her a little later and somehow they get to know each other. This sparks off Karou learning who she really is. Now this is the part where some people say they lost interest. But I for one loved the second half just as much if not more than the first. I loved finding out the truth about Karou and her family. I also loved the releationship between Akiva and Karou. I want the next book now please. I want to know what happens to Karou and her family, and what will happen with her and Akiva. Now on a side not I really enjoyed learning why her "father" collected teeth. It think it was original and pretty cool. I give this one 5 stars!

Review: Clockwork Prince - Cassandra Clare

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 528 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; 1ST edition (December 6, 2011)

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

I wasn't sure that this book could hold up to the first book, but wow it blew it away. There was so much to this story. I loved Will's story line and how it involoved Mangus was great, seeing all that cleared up some of the things said between Camille and Mangus in CoFA. I also loved every second that we spent with Jem!

Tessa is still trying to figure out what she is and I think we found out, and hopefully I'm right and Cassie will explain it in book 3. Now I for one was shocked yet not shocked by the betrayals in this book. And while Charolette's decisions must have been hard I am glad they were what they were. 

Cassie made me swoon, laugh, smile, and angry at Tessa. I am totally team Jem and if Tessa chooses will in the end I will gladly take Jem! I really can't wait for the next book I am so anxious to see how all of this wraps up! Will or Jem, What is Tessa? What happens to the bad guys?!? Ahhhhh....I need to know! I give this one 5 stars! And it might just have been my favorite book of 2011!

Review: City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; 1st ptg edition (April 5, 2011)

The Mortal War is over, and Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most important of all—Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend.
But nothing comes without a price.
Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her. His mother just found out he’s a vampire and now he’s homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side—along with the power of the curse wrecking his life. And they’re willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he’s dating two beautiful, dangerous girls—neither of whom knows about the other.
When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.
Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

This another book I put off reading. Although I only put this one off becuase I wanted to read Clockwork Angel first to get the full effect of these books. I am a huge TMI fan the first 3 books were amazing and this was no different. 

I must start by saying I <3 Simon! There is so much sarcasim, and witty banter and most of it involoves Simon. I also kinda feel sorry for Clary and Jace, they never catch a break, it can never just be easy for them. There was so much going on in this book, there was Simon and Izzy drama, Jace and Clary drama, and Alex and Mangus drama. We also got to see Camille again! 

One of the best parts of these books is just when I think I know what is going on everything changes! I liked the alternating prespectives which I also think added some tension towards the end. Speaking of the end! how could you do that to us Cassie!?! That ending was killer and I need more now!! 

I give this one 5 stars and am totally shouting from the rooftops "read these books if you haven't already"

Review: Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; First Edition edition (August 31, 2010)

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Ok, so this book laid around for a long time because I wasn't sure I would like the steampunk aspect of this story. (I'm still exploring steampunk and my feelings on the genre) But after some convincing by some girls on goodreads I gave this book a shot and I have to say that I think I like this series better than TMI. The characters are so full of life and the plot just sucks you in. Tessa was a great main character. She learned some things about herself that scared her but when push came to shove she used her new found power to help the people around her. 

Will you are cute, cocky, and try too hard to be a jerk. will reminds me a lot of Jace (but Jace is winning that swoon race hehe) Jem, you melt my heart, you seem so tough, yet fragile and I could love you forever! Now the part I thought would kill this book for me was actually awesome! The clock work stuff going on was one of the coolest things I've read in a while. 

I give this one 5 stars and do yourself a favor, if you haven't read this already go start it now, you won't regret it!

Review: Silence - Becca Fitzpatrick

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (October 4, 2011)

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

The only good part of waiting so long to read book 2, was it allowed me to start this one immediately. Silence starts right where book to left off. Nora has been found but months later and with no memory. Its no just the kidnapping that she can't remember its almost a years worth of time she is missing. Nora can't help but feel that people are hiding things from her. 

There was so much to this story, Nora is trying to put her life and memory back together. she gets some help from and old "friend" and makes a new ally I guess would be the best word. One of my favorite things about this book was watching Patch and Nora reconnect. like the previous installment this one kept me turning the pages. There was action, adventure, romance, twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book and enjoyed getting caught up with this series. I give this one 4 stars!

Review: Crescendo - Becca Fitzpatrick

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (October 19, 2010)

Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.
Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.
Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts. 

It took me a long time to read this book and I have no clue why, All the things I loved about Hush, Hush were present in this book. Great writing, a good story, and great characters. I do want to say though that I wanted to kick Nora, how could she break up with Patch?!? Once that happened we still saw Patch but he was more on the sideline. Nora starts to get angrier and angrier and pusing Patch further and further away when she realises he is haning out with Marcie. I loved the addition of Scott. He was strange and kinda creepy but I liked him, although I'm not sure I was supposed to. 

This book really hooked me, once I started I couldn't stop. The plot kept moving at a good pace and just when I thought I had it all figured out the twist knocked me on my butt. Actually a few things that were revealed kinda knocked me on my butt. This book didn't pull any punches it just layed it all out on the line and left us trying to figure out how to pick up the peices. I strongly urge you guys to read this seres! I give this one 4 stars!

Review: Forever - Maggie Stiefvater

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1St Edition edition (July 12, 2011)

In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

This is actually a tough review for me to write! I loved Shiver and Linger, and while I liked Forever I didn't love it. I did like Grace as a wolf and watching her stuggle with the shifting until it was warm enough for her to stay human. I truley feel that all of that added something great to Grace's character. I wasn't a huge Sam fan in this book, he seemed so negative, and ready to give up. I did love Cole though, and his experiments. I feel like I finally got to know the real Cole! I love the dynamic between Isabel and Cole, and how it evolved through the book, and Same and Grace were well...Sam and Grace...The story in this book was fitting for the final chapter in this series, but it didn't grab me the way the other 2 books did. The one thing I won't complain about is that it wasn't all wrapped up with a pretty bow, but it gave me the closure I needed to be satisfied by this book, and the series. I am giving this one 3.5 stars! I do recommend this whole series to everyone though.

Review: Half-Blood - Jennifer L. Armentrout

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press; 1 edition (October 18, 2011)
Language: English

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I started this one. I read just as many great reviews as I did negative. I have to say though while I see the things the negative reviews mentioned none of it bothered me. But the good things I read, I whole heartedly agree with. 

In the beginning we meet Alex who is a half blood, she is running away from daimons and not quite getting away. Enter Aiden and company to the rescue. From there we are submerged into the lives, beliefs, and ways of the Pures and Half-Bloods. Alex is dangerously close to becoming a servant in the home of her Pure stepfather. all she wants is to finish her training and become a sentinel. The problem? Her mother took her and ran away which put Alex very far behind in her training. Aiden the very hott Pure volunteered to train her during the summer to try to get her caught up with the others her age.  During all this Alex starts to feel things for Aiden, which is very bad news, Half-Bloods and Pures are not allowed to be together. As more problems are laid at her feet we watch Alex step up to the plate. she doesn't back down, she does things that I would never be able to do. She learns her destiny and even though she isn't happy with it, she stares it in the face. 

Alex is a strong character who amazed me over and over throughout this book. The action was tense and exciting. The lore behind this world sucked me in. Aiden was another great character who usually left me in a puddle on the floor. I think I'm babbling hehe. Jennifer has made a huge fan out of me. Rich lore, great characters, plenty of action, snark, and some steamy bits! This one gets 5 stars from me!

Review: Destined - P.C & Kristin Cast

Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (October 25, 2011)

Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet—which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx’s gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together—if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father’s shadow...
But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia’s handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there’s the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more—or possibly less—than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there’s something strangely familiar about him...
Will Neferet’s true nature be revealed before she succeeds in silencing them all? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox’s humanity in time to protect him—and everyone—from his own fate? Find out what’s destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

Once again we are back in Tulsa. It seems like so much happens in such a short time in these books. Zoey found out her mother was murdered, the gang is still grieveing over Jack's death. Dragon refuses to accept Rephaim even though Nyx has forgiven him and giving him the gift of a human body at night, but during the day he turns into a bird. stevie Ray will take what she can get though and stands stead fast at his side. Kalona however seems to be truly upset at having let Rephim go to live his life with Steve Rae. The Twins for the first time in this whole series are not acting very twin like. We learn a little about Shaunee's family and past. My opinion of Erin was cast in a very shallow, negative light. I still love Stark though, he just makes me melt. 

Neferet is as evil, depraved, and creepy as ever. The real shocker for me was Aurox/Heath. I liked how they handled him, in the last book I had my doubts at how this story line would play out. Overall I enjoyed this addition to the series. I finally feel like we might be seeing character growth. Hopefully that continues into the next book. I know some people are giving up on thsi series, but I'm not read to walk away yet. I give this one 4 stars.