Dead to You by: Lisa McMann

Publication Date: December 2012

Overview: A powerful psychological thriller with a shocking twist from the New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy.

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It’s a miracle…at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there’s something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

My thoughts: Having read other books by McMann I found I really wanted to read this regardless of the summary I read about it. And I'm glad I gave it a try. Although not my usual taste I found it interesting to say the least.

This boy was abducted at some point in his life, mad to forget his family or maybe just to young to really remember. In my mind he was brain washed and forgotten. 

He found a family, through the Internet, who was missing a boy his age. He felt he looked like them and thought maybe he belonged. He found them and lived with them.

In this sort time he fought, learned to love, and fell in love.

Do you think that's how it ends? No of course not.

It's not his family and the boy he wanted to be was found...not the way one hopes. He runs. And as all things do it ends. 

I wanted a different ending, but so would you.

My rating:3 stars

Blood Forever by: Mari Mancusi

Publication Date: September 2012

Overview: Sunny and Rayne McDonald have had their lives turned upside down thanks to the Blood Coven. But when the past itself is changed, the sisters will do anything to get back what they've lost…

After making a deal with the devil, Rayne and her twin sister, Sunny, have been given the chance to go back in time—to prevent that fateful night when Sunny was bitten by Magnus from ever happening. But while Sunny has been offered a vampire-free existence, she finds she doesn’t want to live without Magnus by her side. And although Rayne puts up a stoic front, she secretly wishes that the vampire Jareth was back in her arms.

To reclaim their lives, Sunny and Rayne team up to figure out a way to change history for the better. Problem is, Jareth and Magnus aren’t all that eager to help two unfamiliar girls who somehow know everything about their vampiric organization. Now, if the twins can’t get the boys on their side, history may spiral out of control—destroying not only the Blood Coven, but quite possibly the entire human race...

My thoughts: This one was a disappointment. I read all of this series and loved the others but this one just did nothing but leave me in a rut. 

The others offered grand adventure and love with turmoil mixed in, but this one fell short on all counts. I didn't feel like this was written to be a story I feel like this could have been a novella or something. Just not enough happened to keep up with the other books.

I'm glad the girls are back and have their men.

I just think the book could have been redone, whether it took longer to release or not.

My rating: 1 star

Iron King by: Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: February 2010

Overview: Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

My thoughts: This was quite thrilling  At times I felt i couldn't breath. This poor girl has had it rough. Losing her father with no explanation, her mother remarrying and the guy barely pays her any mind. 

And it only gets worse as it goes along. But she saved the day. Of course she didn't do it alone and had the help of several key characters   But facing death and everything was worth it just to save her little brother and to begin unraveling her past and her future. 

There is a love triangle kinda hiding in the shadows of this and who she goes with will be key I think. 

My rating: 5 stars

Up Next by Author: Iron Daughter

Mirage by: Kristi Cook

Publication Date: June 2012

Overview: Danger looms large in the sequel to Haven, which Booklist called “a blend of the Gemma Doyle trilogy, the Twilight saga, and Lois Duncan’s thrillers.”

Violet McKenna is back for her senior year at Winterhaven and thrilled to be with Aidan after a long summer apart. But while their love for each other is as strong as ever, their troubles are far from over.

News of a rogue vampire on a killing spree sets everyone on edge. While Aidan is determined to stop the killer, Violet is chilled by a horrifying vision she simply must prevent...for if she can’t, two people she loves will meet a violent end.

In the midst of Violet’s fear, a mysterious newcomer enters her life—and he has some vital information not just about her past, but about her future as well. Now everything Violet held as truth is upended, and she is left not knowing whom to trust, if she is in danger, and—worst of all—whether she and Aidan are really meant to be together.

My thoughts: I would be lying if I said this was an easy read. There is  much to remember. All the kids have special talents, some more then others. 

Then you must remember whom is with who. It's quite confusing at times. 

I think with that many characters you must keep the story line simple and this is anything but simple. 

I do love several of the characters, especially the new ones: Matthew and Tyler. 

My rating: 4 stars

Nevermore by: Kelly Creagh

Publication Date: August 2011

Overview: And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Shall be lifted - nevermore!

— from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

At once an homage to one of America's greatest writers and a page-turning psychological mystery that is equal parts horror, humor, and romance, NEVERMORE is the story of Varen — a Poe-fan and goth — and Isobel — a cheerleader and unlikely heroine. When a Lit. project pairs the two together, Isobel finds herself steadily swept into Varen's world, one that he has created in his notebook and in his mind, one where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Isobel slowly learns that dreams can be much more powerful than she'd ever expected, and that pain and despair come in all sorts of shades. As labels of "goth" and "cheerleader" fade away, she sees more in Varen than a tall, pale outcast, and a consuming romance is braced against the ever-clearer horror that the most terrifying realities are those within our own minds.

When Isobel has a single chance to rescue Varen from the shadows of his own nightmares, will she be able to save him — and herself?

My thoughts: I'm not really a fan of Poe, so parts of this that referred to him just got under my skin. It's a good thing this story revolved more around the characters then him:)

I love Isobel and Varen together, I enjoyed their story of discovery in each other... amazing. They are in love and although she never gets to tell him and vice versa, I  am sure they both feel that string connection they have to one another. 

The ending left me cold, yet wanting more. I hate the way things turn out, but I know the author thought it best to leave us hanging and keeping us begging for more.

My rating: 4 stars

Up Next for author: Enshadowed 

Starcrossed By: Josephine Angelini

Publication Date: May 2011

Overview: Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—now it's getting harder. She's having nightmares of a desperate desert journey, visions of three women weeping tears of blood. And why is she possessed by the sudden, unstoppable urge to kill the handsome new boy in school, Lucas Delos?

A love written in the stars . . .

A feud started in ancient Greece . . .

A curse not even the gods can break.

My thoughts: This one was wonderful. IF you get pass the never ending, but well written history lesson, you will fully enjoy this.

For some, you may totally enjoy it, but for others like myself; I found myself frustrated by the Greek  mythology that we were forced into. We all know the stories of love, hatred and war,  and yet we had to read it all over again. And not just once, the author referred back to it at every chance. 

It's sad to see this family torn apart by killings. Even if it was by mistake, your heart breaks for Hector. I know that Helen and Lucas will find a way to help Hector and hopefully find a way to be together again. I'm positive that Daphne is up to no good and she'll be found out.

My rating: 4 stars

Up Next by author: Dreamless

The Selection by: Kiera Cass

Publication Date: April 2012

Overview: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My thoughts: It's not very often you find a book that cal real you in rather quickly, and when you find said book you want to read it all the way through as fast as you can to know all you can. This is one of those books. So well written it broke my hear when it was over. I read it twice thinking I must have missed something, but no I got all the details.

America is beautiful but doesn't realize the beauty, out and in. She's in love with a boy whose to  low for her and finds herself thrust into a game of chance to win the prince's heart. -Now just reading that doesn't it make you want to know more. 

This girl must face all the same things as the other contestants, but she doesn't want to be there. Striking a deal with the Prince could have been deadly for her, but in the end she finds a friend in him, could it be more......Let's just say I hope so....Loving this book:)

My rating: 5 stars