Sirenz by Charlotte Bennrado & Natalie Zaman

Format: Paperback
Pages: 280
Published: 8th June 2011
Publisher: Flux
Genre: YA Fantasy, Mythology

Description:

Bickering frenemies Meg and Shar are doing some serious damage at a midnight sample sale when they find themselves arguing over a pair of shoes—with fatal consequences. One innocent bystander later, the girls are suddenly at the mercy of Hades—the god of the underworld—himself. To make them atone for what they’ve done, Hades forces the teens to become special-assignment Sirens, luring to the Underworld any individual whose unholy contract is up.

But just because they have an otherworldly part-time job now doesn’t mean Meg and Shar can ignore life’s drudgeries (work) or pleasures (fashion!). Finding that delicate balance between their old and new responsibilities turns out to be harder than they expected, especially when an entire pantheon of Greek deities decides to get involved. Then there’s the matter of the fine print in their contracts . . .

Review:

Sirenz is one of those stories that is just a super cute read. Its really light and funny and doesn't take much brain power which is great for a nice relaxing quick read.

The story follows Meg and Shar after a horrible incident that ends up with them being indebted to Hades, Lord of the Underworld. They are forced into a contract that involves them trying to get a soul into the underworld and if they fail they will both be forced to into the Underworld forever.

Meg and Shar are the complete opposite of each other. Meg is a goth and Shar loves pink. Both are very strong characters and even when they are faced with temptation they are strong willed enough not to give in. What I really like about them is that at first they really don't like each other. But as the story continues they end up best friends. I prefered Meg out the two. Meg is just one of those girls who turn head but she doesn't even know it. She catches the attention of Jeremy and soon Shar is very jealous of her. At first I really didn't like Shar, she came across very selfish and up herself but I did end up liking her.

Now of course I have to mention Hades, oh Hades, I would have given into him straight away. There is just something so sexy and dangerous about him. I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Hades is Haute!

Sirenz at first took me a little while to get into. The begining is quite slow but it gradually picks up and about halfway through I was eager to see what would happen next to Meg and Shar. They really did end up in really funny situations.

Charlotte and Natalie have created a very fun and light read that has a little bit of everything. Love, friendship, hot males and of course a Greek Gods what's not to like. Yet you probably thinking why I didn't rate the book higher? Well the book was a good read. However, as mentioned above it was quite slow to start and I really didn't like Shar at first. It could have been a little longer and with a bit more action but overall a good read!

Rate: 3/5

Buy Sirenz: Amazon UK ~ Amazon US

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The Magnolia League (The Magnolia League #1) by Katie Crouch

Format: Kindle ARC
Pages: 368
Published: 3rd May 2011
Publisher: Poppy
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal

Description:
When her free-spirited mother dies in a tragic accident, sixteen-year-old Alexandria Lee is forced to leave her West Coast home and move in with a wealthy grandmother she's never known in Savannah, Georgia. By birth, Alex is a rightful if unwilling member of the Magnolia League-Savannah's long-standing debutante society. But white gloves and silk gowns are a far cry from the vintage t-shirts and torn jeans shorts she's used to. Alex is the first in decades to question the Magnolia League's intentions, yet even she becomes entangled in their seductive world. The members enjoy youth, beauty and power...but at what cost? As Alex discovers a pact between the Magnolias and the Buzzards, a legendary hoodoo family, she discovers secrets-some deadly-hidden beneath the glossy Southern veneer.

Review:
The Magonlia League was one of those books that had so much potiental to be different and exciting. It starts out very interesting with a fantastic and different main character. However, as I was reading it I began to not like it. And just left me disappointed.

The story starts out with Alex moving to her Grandmothers to life after a tragic accident that killed her mother. Alex hates Georgia and her Granmother (Miss Lee) lifestyle. Alex missed her old hippie lifestyle but she is forced to befriend Hayes and pretty soon Alex discovers that things in Savannah Georgia aren't all as they appear in The Magnolia League.

Alex starts out at such a fun read. She was totally different from most teenagers in novels. She doesn't care how she looks, she isn't skinny or perfect and she is a great sense of humor. However, as the story continues and she discovers The Magnolia's secret she starts acting like any other  girl in a YA novel. Her appearance changes dramatically from Hippie girl to Debutante. Her personality changes as well but the end of the book I found her selfish and just pathetic. I didn't like Miss Lee or any of The Magnolia League. I don't think any of them of any redeeming qualities. However, I did like the Buzzards, the local Hoodoo Family. I would loved to have had more of an insight into there lifes. They interesting  and mysterious hopefully in the next book we will get to read more about them.

I really struggled to decide on my rating for this book. It was going to be a 2 rating because well by the end I didn't really like it because of how Alex as a character changed too much. And how the author would jump from First person narative to third person. I found this very confusing and just didn't make the story flow easily. The story itself starts out good but its very predictable you knew actually want was going to happen before it happen. There was no suspence and honestly the ending was just terrible. All the build up to the main point in the story and it just falls flat. Sorry. However, I decided to go with the 3 rating because as I have mention I did enjoy the start of story. It was fun and different. I will no doubt read the second book just to see if we get to learn more about the Buzzards.

If you like your paranormal stories that are a quick light read then please go grab your copy. It filled with magic and Hoodoo and with some interesting characters.

Rate: 3/5

Visit Katie: [Website][Tumblr][Facebook][Twitter]

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The Witches of Santa Anna by Lauren Barnholdt & Aaron Govine

Kindle Size: 383 KB
Published: 13th March 2011
Publisher: Lauren Barnholdt
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal

Description:

Natalia Moore is the new girl at Santa Anna Prep, and all she wants to do is fly under the radar -- get to her classes, meet a few friends, and try not to make a total fool of herself in the meantime. But when handsome and popular Campbell Elliot goes out of his way to be nice to the new girl, Natalia's plan to go unnoticed flies out the window.

Cam’s hot, but he’s completely off-limits. Raine Marsden, the most popular and meanest girl in school, has had her eye on him ever since the summer. And Raine doesn’t like competition.

When Cam goes as far as inviting Natalia to the exclusive weekend party at Raine's house, Raine sets her sights on a new victim. But what Natalia doesn't know is that Raine and her friends are no ordinary mean girls. They have powers most people can only dream of, and nobody will stand in the way of what they want. And what Raine wants is Campbell.

The Witches of Santa Anna series of novellas, proves just how far true love will go and that nothing--not even pure evil--can change your destiny….

Review:

I had seen these book for a while. They seemed to be very popular for Kindle. So when I seen this one I decided I would buy. As buying them all separate would have have more expensive. This Edition Consists of storys 1 - 7. CLAIMED, TRICKED, RUMORED, HUSHED, PURSUED, ENTICED, and RUINED. They are all short stories. However put together and they make a averaged sized book.

The story follow Natalia as she comes to Santa Anna to start a new school. She quite quickly attracts the attention of the hottest guy in School, Cam. It is very clear that they have chemistry between them. However, Cam is off limits as Raine the most popular girl in school wants Cam and she will stop at nothing to get him.

Basically that is there is of the story. Its not really the most unique story or most interesting. However, it quick and enjoyable for some light reading. The characters themselves are quite one dimensional. Nothing really interesting and intriguing about them. Although I do like the chemistry between Nat and Cam. They are really sweet when they are together and sometimes poor Nat didn't know whether she was coming or going. All she wants is to be with Cam but Raine is making it very hard. Raine I have to admit, yeah she was a witch, yeah she was Evil but she was probably the most interesting character in the whole story. I would have loved to have seen more of the Witches and have some background information on them. However, there wasn't any at all.

As I mention that story isn't unique. Its not much different to the many YA stories out there at the moment. New Girl/Boy in school falls in love within 2 minutes with the hottest Boy/Girl. Add another Boy into the mix for that love triangle that seems to be in everyone book just now. Add some evil/bad guys and there go. The simply plot to make a good YA book. However, where some authors take this simple plot and twist and turn it into their wonderful and mesmorizing story. This just seems to stick the basic plot with nothing special added.

My big negative about this whole series is how they are getting released. Each book is very very short. Around 30-50pages. The author is releasing the whole story bit by bit charging between 70p and just over £2. If you had to buy them all separate you are talking around £10 for the set and its not even finished yet. Ruined was meant to the final book. However it ended with cliff-hanging that sets up the next book. Or should I say season two. Yeah there is going to even more "Books". I probably won't be buying them until they all released. I won't waste my money.

Overall, I still did enjoy it. The story was good and very light. Nothing to really make you think. So perfect for some bedtime light reading.

Rate: 3/5

Lauren's Website: laurenbarnholdt.com

Order the complete Set on Kindle:

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Angel (Angel Trilogy #1) by L.A Weatherly

Pages: 507
Published: 1st October 2010
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal

Description:

Willow knows she's different from other girls. And not just because she loves tinkering around with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into peoples futures, know their dreams, their hopes and their regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where she gets this power from... But Alex does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows Willows secret and is on a mission to stop her. The dark forces within Willow make her dangerous and irresistible. In spite of himself, Alex finds he is falling in love with his sworn enemy.

Review:

I bought this book when it was first released over here in the UK. I had been really looking forward to it. However, it ended up in my TBR pile for months. So after months of it sitting on my bookcase I decided to actually read.

Angel follows the story of Willow and Alex after Alex find out that Willow isn't what she seems. And Together they embark on a dangerous journey that full of high and lows that pushes the two of them together.

Angel is a very unique take on Angels and one that I don't like. Angels are evil in this story. I personally don't mind when certain things get changes like vampires and werewolves. However, I wasn't a fan of this new take on Angels. I'm not saying I believe in angels and all that but I just wasn't a fan of this change. I like Angels the way the always have been. Some things just shouldn't be changed.

The story itself flowed ok. It was a bit confussing with all the changing in point of view and going from first person narrative to third it made the story slow at first. However, after I got used to the PoV forever changing it flowed ok and even though I wasn't a fan of the take on Angel I still found myself enjoying parts of it.

What I realy enjoyed was the characters Willow and Alex's relationship. This is what probably made me finish the book. They are just too cute together. Willow is an outcast in school. She dresses different and loves cars. She was really easy to connect with. A very strong main character for young girls to look up to. Alex, is a tough Angel Killer. Hunting Angels has made him strong and yet when he is with Willow he has a soft side and they truely belong together.

I am in no rush to buy and read the next book. I will no doubt eventually read it because as I said I really liked the relationship between Willow and Alex and would like to see what happens next with them. 

Rate: 3/5

L.A Weatherly Website: www.angelfever.com

Order Your Copy


US title: Angel Burn
Release date: 24th May 2011

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Torment (Fallen #2) by Lauren Kate

Pages: 452
Published: 30th Sept 2010
Publisher: Doubleday Children's Book
Genre: YA Fantasy, Romance

Description:

Hell on earth. That's what it's like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel. It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts - immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students -Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn't told her everything. He's hiding something - something dangerous. What if Daniel's version of the past isn't actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?

Review:
As with the Fallen Cover art. Torment is beautiful again. When first seeing the cover I wasn't disappointed. Its still had the dark gothic theme as the first cover and yet another gorgeous dress that I have to say I want. However, after reading the book I don't think the cover fits the story line. Also the edition I have I got a poster of the cover with and its so nice. I'm going to get it put on a canvas to hang in my room.

Torment is the second installement in the Fallen series by Lauren Kate and having totally fell head over heals in love with Fallen I was really disappointment.  However, it was still a must read in needing to know what happened next. And no doubt I will get the next one.

So let's get on with the review. Torment takes place where Fallen ended. And we see Luce being put into a different surrounding in the form of the Calfornian Coast in a new school where its pupils are a mix of Nephlim and Human. I have to say this was one of the big negavites for me because the main reason I fell in love with Fallen was the gothic surrounding and dark atmosphere. With Torment I wasn't just getting it all.

We are introduced some amazing new characters though. Luce very quickly makes friends with Shelby and Miles. They are both really nice characters and you very quickly become fond of them. For me especially Miles. I am not in a Team Battle between Cam and Miles now lol. However, with Luce being in her new school its great we get to meet new charactes but we dont get to see enough of all the old characters that we grew to love in Fallen. So that was another huge negitive for me.

The ending of Torment seemed very rushed me. And very disappointing compared to amazing last few chapters for Fallen. Half the story could have been cut down and they ending should have left me begging for Passion. However, it didn't.

Overall though, if you are a fan of Fallen is it a must read even though I found is very slow, we still find out new and interesting things about Luce and get to meet some amazing new characters.


(Sorry If I'm talking gibberish and not making sense. Was having trouble doing a review for this one)

Rate: 3/5

Lauren Kate Website: laurenkatebooks.net 

Order Your Copy NOW!

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Last Sacrifice (VA #6) by Richelle Mead

Pages: 584
Published: December 7th 2010
Publisher: Puffin/Razor Bill
Genre: YA Fantasy, Parnormal

Description

Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.

She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?

Review:

Let's get the cover out the way first. I don't have a matching set of VA anyway to this changed didn't really annoy me. At first I wasn't sure about the cover due to it being totally different. However, now that I have seen in person and have seen the rest of the matching covers, I love it. Its so nice and I really like the dripping blood on the top right corner.

Onto the story.

Last Sacrifice is the sixth and final installement in the Vampire Academy series. I had really high expectations for this book and honestly it left me very disappointed. I didn't feel like that was a great final book, I felt like it was more of a set up for the spin off series Bloodlines coming Aug 2011. Usually with these books the story has me hooked from the first chapter. However, I found this one very slow and very boring until about half way through then it really did pick up and get really exciting that I couldn't put it down. I had a love/hate relationship with Rose through this book. One minute I understood her and how she a was acting the next I just wanted to slap her for how she was behaving.

Last Sacrifice is mainly all about Rose and Dimitri as they go on yet another crazy adventure trying to find out secrets and reveal them. As well as with the help of her friends back at court trying to clear her name and find the true Killer of the Queen. (So trying no to give away any details lol) As said above once I got to the halfway mark in the book I was hooked and the story really picked up and was jammed pack with twists and turns you don't see coming. The big one I didn't see was the killer. I found out who killed the Queen before reading and I was in shocked and even though I already knew I still gasped with the killer was revealed.  The ending I have to admit I was torn. It really was a great ending, but I was really disappointed as well with some of the decisions made. And it let far to many unanswered questions.

Overall, a really good book for any VA fan. However, not a mind blowing final book.

Rate: 3/5

http://www.richellemead.com/ 

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Frostbite (VA 2) by Richelle Mead

Pages: 327

Published:1st October 2009
Published: Puffin 
Genre: YA Fantasy, Parnornal

Description:

Rose Hathaway's got serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian.

Then a massive Strigoi attack puts St. Vladmir's on high alert, and the Academy crawls with Guardians-including the legendary Janine Hathaway...Rose's formidable, long-absent mother. The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks. This year, St. Vladmir's holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose-and her heat-are in more danger than she ever could have imagined.

Review:

Frostbite is the second installement of the Vampire Academy Series. And is picks up pretty much where Vampire Academy finished. Having loved and got sucked (lol) into the first book. This one didn't grab me as much. For me its the weakest book in the series and just not up to the rests standards. Saying that there is plenty to enjoy and even more twists and turns that leave you aching for the next book.

In Frostbite, all the characters are back as well and some new and fresh ones. Rose is still her fiesty self and we get to watch the relationship between her and Dimitri change a little when Tasha (Christian's Aunt) is introduced. I really liked Tasha she is a strong independant woman who has lived a hard life but doesn't moan about it. As well Rose and Dimitri we have Rose and Mason. I adore Mason he is cute and head over heals in love with Rose. He is the boy next door and it a shame in a way that Rose didn't feel the same. We get to learn a little more about Christian and his back story its really interesting and I would loved to have read more about it. His relationship with Lissa gets more serious and they are always together and in way I didn't like that, Lissa wasnt really in much of the book and I really like her aswell.

As I said above this is the weakest in the series and I was going to give it a 3 star rating. However, I just couldn't bring myself to do it because of one factor and the only factor that made me fall in love. "Little Dhampir." Oh yes, Adrian Adrain Adrian. The lovely, funny, crazy and down right sexy Adrian gets introduced in this one and I really love him. He is my favourite character in the entire series.

Overall, Frostbite is a must read if you have read Vampire Academy but don't expect a mind blowing read. The story itself isn't up to much but there are some twist and turns that you don't see coming and they ending I cried cried cried so much. Im still (after reading this book so many times) undecided if its a good ending or not. You decide.

Rate: 3/5

http://www.richellemead.com/

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Infinite Days (Vampire Queen #1) by Rebecca Maizel

Pages: 395
Published: 3rd Aug 2010
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Genre: YA Fantasy, Parnormal

Description:

When Lenah Beaudonte, a 500-year-old vampire queen, wakes up a human teenager at an ultra-cliquey prep school, she must choose between embracing the humanity she’s always craved and saving her new friends from her vicious coven. The first in a sizzling new YA series.

Lenah Beaudonte is, in many ways, your average teen: the new girl at Wickham Boarding School, she struggles to fit in enough to survive and stand out enough to catch the eye of the golden-boy lacrosse captain. But Lenah also just happens to be a recovering five-hundred-year-old vampire queen. After centuries of terrorizing Europe, Lenah is able to realize the dream all vampires have -- to be human again. After performing a dangerous ritual to restore her humanity, Lenah entered a century-long hibernation, leaving behind the wicked coven she ruled over and the eternal love who has helped grant her deep-seated wish.

Until, that is, Lenah draws her first natural breath in centuries at Wickham and rediscovers a human life that bears little resemblance to the one she had known. As if suddenly becoming a teenager weren’t stressful enough, each passing hour brings Lenah closer to the moment when her abandoned coven will open the crypt where she should be sleeping and find her gone. As her borrowed days slip by, Lenah resolves to live her newfound life as fully as she can. But, to do so, she must answer ominous questions: Can an ex-vampire survive in an alien time and place? What can Lenah do to protect her new friends from the bloodthirsty menace about to descend upon them? And how is she ever going to pass her biology midterm?

Review:
Before I review the story itself I HAVE to review the book cover. 5/5STARS, this is got to be one of the most beautiful covers I have seen this year. This picture does it no justice. The Hardback itself has the image of Lenah on it and its very shiny. The dust cover is white and transparent so you can see Lenah coming through from underneath. It has pretty embossed silver flower design that is subtle yet very eyecatching. I just love the cover!!!

So for the story. Well honestly, I was a little disappointed in this book. I had real high hopes from reading really great reviews. It is very very slow and doesn't really get going until half way through the story then it is quite good. I seem to find myself more interested in the flashback stories then the characters present story.

However, this is a very good twist on the vampire story. I have never read anything like it because this is the story of an EX-Vampire lol. The characters have their good points and bad. Lenah who is the main character I didn't really warm to her as a human but during her flashback I really liked her and her vampires because they are proper vampires, killing, drinking blood and evil like vampires are meant to be. Lenah falls for Justin, who I didn't like at all. There relationship just got on my nerves. (not very good at explaining without giving away spoilers). My two fave characters are Rhode (Lenah's maker) and Tony (Lenah's best friend). I found them really easy to connect with.

I would really love to have prequel of this all about Rhode and Lenah and the other vampires that would make a real interesting story getting to read about how vampires are meant to be.

Overall though, its a quick read and that doesn't really have any suprises you kind of knew what was going to happn. However, there is one part I didn't except and I cried my eyes out so much. And as I said once the story picks up its is quite good.

I will pick up the next installement Stolen Nights because Infinite Days leaves you on a cliffhanger that you just need to know what is going to happen.

Rate:3/5

http://rebeccamaizel.com/

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