Fallen by Lauren Kate

Title: Fallen	Loved it	Graded
Author: Lauren Kate
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Elements: Resurrection, reincarnation
Series: Book 1 of a series

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

When you open the book, right away you're greeted with a prologue. I'm a bit on the fence about prologues. They usually have one purpose, and that's to show how things were in contrast to how things are now. I liked Fallen's prologue. It was romantic and showed the mystery and connection the characters shared. Unfortunately, that also means that I knew what to expect in the coming pages. Lots and lots of negativity between those two.

The premise is interesting. Luce Price has been thrust out of her home and sent to a reform school in the middle of nowhere, which seems just perfect for mysterious fantasy things to happen. I liked this fish out of water element because it shows how supportive Luce's parents are. Even though it's told that Luce was sort of a party girl before, it's not obvious from the way she behaves and thus it doesn't convince me, and I'm left to imagine that Luce has always been the way she is. However, it does work in the sense that it shows how haunted Luce is, and how hesitant she is to fall for someone new.

Nothing interesting really happens throughout the book until the climax. This could merely be because I'm partial to plot, action and character driven stories. There are a few scenes where she meets Daniel, but even those lack passion as she is always rebuffed by him. During those times when Luce actually makes effort to communicate with Daniel, the poor girl is given a cold face. I believe in olden times this is called a direct cut. And since Daniel is supposedly this very old guy, shouldn't he have the mannerisms and politeness of people in times past?

Apparently not. For an angel, he sure acts the opposite. Jerkface. When I commented that Patch from Hush, Hush was an asshat, at least it was obvious that he wanted her. In this case, Daniel acts like the jock who has to brush off the unwanted attention of a needy schoolmate. I really am not a fan of Daniel. Especially when he does throw around clues that refer to their past, and pretty much cockblocks her attempts to find out what the heck he's talking about. It is almost as if he longs for the Luce in the prologue, or the Luce he first met rather than the Luce now, whom he despises because he cannot have her.

The supporting characters leave a lot to be desired, especially after the big reveal at the end. Their development was somewhat stinted in the front, and only after the climax did they start to show some more personality. Out of all her friends, I like Luce's best friend, Cameron-the-other-love-interest and the old librarian. They had the most chemistry with Luce despite the  scenes, and definitely made up for the lack between Luce and Daniel.

Fallen has an interesting premise, but fails to deliver in most aspects due to the imbalance between the halves of the story, until the climax where everything seems to come in such a rush that it should have been a longer part of the book. However, as this is the first book in a series, I do hope that Daniel's chemistry with Luce will improve. Maybe not to such a 180 that it doesn't match the Daniel I know (and dislike) now, but in gradual degrees. What was revealed in the ending is definitely something that I would love to explore, along with the backgrounds of the characters.

The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Campbell

Title: The Rise of Renegade X	Loved it	Graded
Author: Chelsea M. Campbell
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Egmont
Elements: Superhero
Series: Stand alone

Damien Locke knows his destiny--attending the university for supervillains and becoming Golden City's next professional evil genius. But when Damien discovers he's the product of his supervillain mother's one-night stand with--of all people--a superhero, his best-laid plans are ruined as he's forced to live with his superhero family.

Going to extreme lengths (and heights), The Rise of Renegade X chronicles one boy's struggles with the villainous and heroic pitfalls of growing up.

It's the best book evah!!!1!

*shoves evil twin away* It's the best book evah!!!1! It has everything I wanted in a book, which I didn't think was possible. I am honestly finding it difficult to say what I loved about the RoRX (read: everything) so I'll just put down a list. People, this is why I don't review books I have read, loved and put away for a while. The story, the characters just sit in my heart and brain comfortably. The thought of reviewing it just seems silly. I'd rather just have you guys find the wonder for yourself and be pleasantly, extremely surprised. This is just the full meal of a book, guis!

But for you people, I shall try.

1. The cover. It's sort of like a comic book, but it's also like a movie scene. Damien is wearing his costume looking oh so yummy. Instead of a serious look on his face and a cape swishing about his broad, manly shoulders, you have him smirking enigmatically onto the streets below. Trouble is his name. The Maharani of Mayhem and Mysteries approve. The font!!

2. The back cover. It is an epic mashup of comic/graphic novel and book. Hmm, Damien and co. in graphic novel form would be really nice. Especially if the same artist who did the cover does it.

3. The plot. AHAHA! Amazing, truly amazing. Everything is really likeable, from the pranks, wisecracks to the villains. They're all kooky and weird in a good way. Also, Campbell makes superheroes look like the boring, and not exciting people they truly are. Zzz. *smiles contentedly*

Okay, here's a teaser to sate your appetite while you're waiting for your Amazon order to process.

Footsteps pound up the stairs. "Kat, honey, I thought I heard something," her mom calls. She pushes the door all the way open, quickly surveying the situation, her eyes flicking from me on the floor to Kat on the bed. "I told you to leave this open." She drags the octopus over to hold the door open as wide as possible. "Were you two...?" She struggles to come up with the right way to phrase it. "...sitting on the bed just now? I thought I heard squeaking."

You know, while copying down the teasers, it occured to me that this book is written in present tense. Usually, that would make my right eye twitch. This just shows that when it's done right, and when the storytelling is engaging enough, things like that are not a concern.

Forbidden Sea by Sheila A. Neilson

Title: Forbidden Sea	Loved it	Graded
Author: Sheila A. Neilson
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Elements: Mermaids
Series: Stand alone?

When Adrianne comes face-to-face with the mermaid of Windwaithe Island, she is convinced that the mermaid means her harm. After all, the island is steeped in stories of mermaids' curses and the ill-luck that they bring.

But Adrianne is fierce-willed and courageous and is determined to protect her family and the islanders from danger.

Yet when the islanders find out about Adrianne's encounters with the mermaid, her family is scorned. They believe that once active, the mermaid cannot be quieted until an islander sacrifices herself to the sea.

But is the legend true? And will their fear make them force Adrienne to test it? This is a haunting story of love, surrender and strength.

This is the first mermaid book I've ever read. That's not to say that it focuses mainly on mermaids and life underwater. Nielson has written a finely crafted story about a girl who doesn't want to be a mermaid. And that has to be the best introduction to the mermaid genre for me.

The main character, Adrianne is a good role model* in all aspects. She comes from a humble background, and she works back breakingly to support her family, unappreciated, while nursing a crush on her long time friend Denn. It broke my heart seeing the lengths she went to, and it made me appreciate my life a lot more.

The mermaid factor lingers in the background the whole time. It was subtle, creeping into Adrianne's life as days passed. I would like to say that it made me worry about her fate, but I knew she was going to be okay because the whole story is in first person view. Sure, she could die, but this is a story about mermaids, not ghosts. Are there ghostly mermaids?

The climax isn't so much a climax, but a wild wave. And when it happened, I was relieved because it was finally there. The underwater supporting characters were alive in contrast to the mainland, human characters, with the exception of Cecily and Denn who have a great influnce on Adrianne. Somehow I just got the feeling that the other characters were not that important to the plot.

All in all, this is a wonderful story to read. I liked reading it because it made me feel like I was along on the ride. It's relaxing, it has characters that are self sufficient. The underwater descriptions are especially vivid. I would like to see more of the underwater universe.

*I don't usually focus on how good the main character is as role model, because you choose what to take away from the book. (and if it's bad morals, really, don't blame the book. Just because the character is reckless or doesn't give to society doesn't mean you have to follow. Grow a backbone.)

Adam Lambert's New Documentary on Fairy Dances

I'm a long time fan of Adam Lambert, and so it was with major excitement (and a little apprehension) that I greeted the news of his venture into the unknown. Specifically, Adam's going deep into the forests, where no human has come out alive or sane, to integrate into the Unseelie Court's society.

First, he has to have the suitable disguise. Look at his pained expression! Oh Adam. I adore you more, especially for having the guts to get down and dirty with the fairies. Those spikes are UNREAL. I bet they fit right in. That costume must have been hard to replicate, but then again, who knows how fairies look like?

Except Adam, that is. Kudos. I admire your bravery. Especially faced with unidentified foes that have been caught on tape for no longer than a split second. Luckily, while watching the documentary, I had the presence of mind to take rapid screenshots. And here you go! The first ever documented still of a fairy. It looks like an acrobat spinning hoops masterfully. It is so creepy how they do that: make our minds see things that we can accept.

The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger

Title: The Seven Rays	Loved it	Graded
Author: Jessica Bendinger
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Simon &; Schuster
Elements: -
Series: Book 1 of a proposed series

When seventeen year-old honors student Beth Michaels starts receiving gold envelopes with messages like, YOU ARE MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE, she thinks that a crazy person might be stalking her. When she begins seeing people’s thoughts, feelings, and personal histories on their electromagnetic fields, she thinks that she might be a crazy person. And then when the hottest boy in town, Richie Mac, kisses and becomes obsessed with her, she knows that something’s up.

But she can deal with all of that until her mom gets freaked out by her erratic behavior and sends her to a psychiatric institute for observation. It is here where Beth finds out that she was adopted under mysterious circumstances and perhaps has supernatural powers. Now all she has to do is break out of the ward – with Richie’s help – and road trip to New York to discover who she really is and why all this is happening to her…

Is it possible that Beth might be more than she thinks she is?

The Seven Rays is a paranormal coming-of-age story that delves into love, friendship, family and the supernatural.

This review contains spoilers.

The Seven Rays caught my eye due to a rumour going around months ago, that said Selena Gomez and Kellan Lutz were going to star in the movie adaptation. (And apparently now, Taylor Swift is envisioned as Beth.) My high hopes were dashed once I got past the marketing blurb, and actually started reading.

The first half was interesting. It gave me an insight into Beth's life, her friends, her family. I actually liked her snarky and childish ways. I do have to disagree when her crush Richie suddenly just falls in love with her and calls her 'the oldest seventeen year old' I know. Uhh, no. There have been no backstory, nothing to show me that she's been acting matured, or in any way older than the average seventeen year old. Younger, yes. Older, not at all.

The magic was there. Good setting, good placement. Great poems, ones that I tried to memorise. They were pretty catchy. Apparently, this whole concept is something that actually exists outside of this book, which I respect. It just wasn't given the respect in this book, or if it did, I can't see it at all.

Beth had everything a YA protagonist would want: a good best friend, a supportive, loving mother, a crush, good grades etc. And then the second half came and screwed things up.

I have no idea what happened! The two halves do not fit at all! There are times when two very different halves work well together, like Beth Fantaskey's JESSICA'S GUIDE TO DATING ON THE DARK SIDE but this is not one of them.It was like a wholly different book with different characters with different motivations. Heck, all the characters seemed to turn about and change who they were. Sure, they were on the high speed chase, but the events just... sigh. Beth's best friend? Oh, she's been totally using Beth to get herself ahead or something. But what irked me the most was Beth's mom.

Supposedly she loves Beth. I mean, when you take a baby in to save her from the crazies all her life, you do not in the space of two weeks just give her an ultimatum, and throw away every piece of memory, of her life. And BURN IT.

There were some other scenes in the story that I felt were there specifically for one purpose: to shock the readers. I think they were supposed to come off as sexy and show us Beth's self assured side. Instead, they were just crude and off-putting.

I just... I don't know. It's like I landed in a different book. Perhaps it would have been better if Beth's rosy life and hints of power remained just that, and the awkward second half was put into another book. At least then I would have time to adjust.

It's just incredulous. Urgh. I am so disappointed. There's just no respect for any of the characters, the storyline, their motivations. You can download the first chapter here and prove me wrong. Please.

A Day with Aunt Agonies Jamie and Mae

Jamie, top 3 hottest guys in school. Start!
From least to most, Seb (Except I hate that guy) McFarlane, Nick Ryves, except I think he might be a serial killer, he has the cold dead eyes of a serial killer, but, you know, a pretty foxy serial killer. And Mark Skinner, because he loaned me highlighters and pencils all through one year of school, and being kind is hot.

Definitely an underrated hotness factor. What’s the craziest or funniest moment that you had with each other?
We have crazy funny moments every day that ends with y, we couldn’t even pick a top ten…

Mae, why is Mae West such an inspiration to you?
Oh, and… top 3 hottest guys in school. Or out of school. ;)
Nick. Anzu. Seb. (Sarah: Stupid hot demons. Don’t even get Mae started on the other one…)

Mae West had a boyfriend who was forty years younger than her, Mr California, and said he’d been put on this earth to love her. She had a different boyfriend who was black – when her landlord objected to a black guy paying calls – Mae West bought the building.

Also she said many brilliant things, among which: Every man I meet wants to protect me. I can't figure out what from.

A Day with Aunt Agonies Nick and Alan

Sam and Dean Winchester, who in my eyes are of the same level of cool and hotness( does that even make sense?!) as the Ryves brothers. 


Thanks so much for agreeing to this little interview. I swear that I’m not working for any Circles, am not a magician, messenger or demon in a possessed body. My eyes are naturally black, thank you. Not that I have anything against demons in po- Shutting up now.

Alan, book bloggers everywhere are asking:
What’s your idea of a truly good book? We need the title stat!
Alan: I love a classic! Ivanhoe. Vanity Fair. Can’t get en… where are you going?

I’ve just finished reading a truly great paranormal YA book, and I’m looking for one that has elements of danger, witty dialogue and charismatic characters. What would you recommend?
Alan: I don’t actually read much paranormal YA, it is too reminiscent of my real life…

That is true... I suppose we could read a book of your life. That would be interesting, except for the, yknow, real life aspect. What do you think the secret to true love is?
Alan: I wish I knew, then perhaps I could find it.

Sarah Tells US Tales! Part 2

Since the third book is from Sin’s POV, will we get to know more about the effects on Sin’s siblings?
The effects of… the latest book, or the magical world in general? The answer to both is yes: Sin’s siblings matter more than anything else in the world to her, and Lydie and Toby will be in the book plenty, with new adventures falling on their heads. Since they’re really young, there’s an added sense of danger there: Sin is keenly aware of her responsibility to them, and how vulnerable they are.

Did you originally write TDL as a trilogy or did you envision it as a stand alone book?
I tried to do both: I wrote the Demon’s Lexicon trying to make sure it could stand alone, but also hoping I would get the chance to write the trilogy I envisioned. So far, so lucky!

Why did you decide to show the story from three different point of views: Nick, Mae and Sin respectively? Why not from Alan or Jamie’s point of views?
Changing narrators every book was definitely an unusual decision: I don’t think I realized how unusual it was until I had all my poor readers going ‘what is she doing, the woman must be MAD.’ But I find it both challenging and rewarding (those words again!) to switch narrators, and show a whole different side of my world and my characters each time. I chose the narrators who were positioned to tell the stories that went together best, and the stories I wanted to tell most – the people who are perhaps the most surprised and most changed by what happens to them.

Besides, I always figure Jamie’s book would be a million words long, as he’s a talker, and Alan’s would be like ‘Here’s the plan. Let’s wait a few hundred pages for the others to catch up. And tell me… how have you been?’

Sarah Tells US Tales! Part 1

Describe the trilogy in seven words, no more no less.
Hot boys love brave ladies magic swords! (It wasn’t meant to be… a whole, comprehensible sentence, was it?)

What do you find are the most rewarding and most challenging aspects of writing?
My friend Holly Black summed this up once ‘Writers always like to challenge themselves. And it seems like such an adventure to start with! And then it turns out challenging yourself is HARD!’ All of writing is challenging and rewarding at once: usually the most challenging bits end up being the most rewarding.

Who's your current book crush? What would you do if you met him/her?
Barron, the evil older brother from already-mentioned Holly Black’s latest book, White Cat. And if I met him, I would get out of his way fast. That boy’s nothing but trouble.

Handsome, handsome trouble.

What are you reading at the moment?
Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews, the latest in the Kate Daniels series.

The Demon's Lexicon Trilogy week

And the winners in order:
Becky (Contacted, replied)
Melissa @ 1lbr (Contacted, replied)
Rafaela (Contacted, replied)
Ekta (Contacted)

Congratulations! The winners have been contacted about their prizes, so winners, don't worry if you haven't received an email yet. Once you have been contacted, you will have two days to reply. If you don't reply, another person will get the prize.

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Hello everyone! Sarah Rees Brennan is here with us this week to tell us more about herself, her characters and the amazing Demon's Lexicon trilogy, which I have gushed about here and here. There'll also be contests, and it'll be open internationally. Can I hear a cheer for Sarah?

Fifth Annual 48 Hour Book Challenge

Forty-eight (and accidental 50 minutes) hour mark: Reached!
Hours read: 48 hours 20 minutes
Hours networking: 30 minutes
Pages read: 4258
Books read: 13
⇒Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken, 368 pages
⇒The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Campbell, 352 pages
⇒Forget Her Nots by Amy Brecount White, 384 pages
⇒The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, 368 pages
⇒Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink (Audiobook)
⇒Enchanted Inc. by Shanna Swendson, 320 pages
⇒The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger, 336 pages
⇒The Mark by Jen Nadol, 240 pages
⇒Ash by Malinda Lo, 272 pages
⇒Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev, 352 pages
⇒Terrier by Tamora Pierce, 608 pages
⇒The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan, 322 pages
⇒The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting, 336 pages