Review | Thirsty by Tracey Bateman

Feb 25, 2010

"Hello, I'm Nina Parker…and I'm an alcoholic."

For Nina, it's not the weighty admission but the first steps toward recovery that prove most difficult. She must face her ex-husband, Hunt, with little hope of making amends, and try to rebuild a relationship with her angry teenage daughter, Meagan. Hardest of all, she is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier – and her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone – or something – igniting a two-hundred-fifty-year-old desire that rages like a wildfire.
Unaware of the darkness stalking her, Nina is confronted with a series of events that threaten to unhinge her sobriety. Her daughter wants to spend time with the parents Nina left behind. A terrifying event that has haunted Nina for almost twenty years begins to surface. And an alluring neighbor initiates an unusual friendship with Nina, but is Markus truly a kindred spirit or a man guarding dangerous secrets?
As everything she loves hangs in the balance, will Nina's feeble grasp on her demons be broken, leaving her powerless against the thirst? The battle between redemption and obsession unfold to its startling, unforgettable end.

Thoughts: Thirsty is unlike any other vampire book I’ve ever encountered. First off, it was a Christian book about vampires. I have to admit I was completely unaware it was considered a “Christian/Religious” book until after I read it and rated it on Goodreads. I was a bit surprised but then it sort of made sense, you know? All the talk about being saved and giving up alcoholism that Nina was faced with and how she found His way. Things like that just made more sense. Not that I was completely clueless to what they meant, I was just surprised at how focused it was at points about religion.

Anyways, I liked it. The characters were completely believable, honest, and likeable. I was able to understand Nina’s situation because the author’s descriptive writing helped me see what Nina was feeling and going through as she struggled to pick up the pieces of her life and make it work. We also got a few glimpses on what Hunt and Nina’s daughter, Meg, were going through and how they were trying to deal with Nina’s situation. This added a lot more depth to the story and I really liked how vivid the author was about each character’s emotions because I felt I connected with each of them.

The story was a little different than I expected because although it is technically a “vampire book,” it wasn’t really centered on that. Sure there were a few vampires, some good and some bad, and they all intertwined the story just right but really, the author could’ve just replaced the “vampires” with regular humans and made some of them a bit insane and trying to kill others and all that good stuff and it would have worked just as well.

There was only one thing that at a few times bothered me. At the beginning of every chapter and sometimes towards the end or even in the middle, there would be sort of a flashback. I really liked learning more on the characters pasts and how each thing contributed to how their lives turned out, but there were maybe a couple of times were I was a bit confused about who’s past we were reading about. After a few sentences though I would figure it out and it would be all good.

So the whole book has some great twists and turns that’ll keep you entertained until the very end. I was happy with the conclusion because it felt like real closure. I definitely recommend this to any adult-fiction readers who are looking to enjoy a good vampire book that has some religion, and is without that whole “Twilight-y” feeling.

Favorite Line: "After a full day of every grade, including my own, calling me 'Puke' and knocking my books out of my hands, I figured if God existed, it wasn’t for kids like me. At home that afternoon, I snuck into dad’s vodka. And I felt better..."

This book was provided by my local library

Review | Evernight by Claudia Gray

Feb 24, 2010

Bianca wants to escape.
At the eerily Gothic Evernight Academy, the other students are sleek, smart, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.
When she meets handsome, brooding Lucas, he warns her to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him. But the connection between them can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

Thoughts: Honestly, I did not like this book. I gave it two stars though, because I felt the attempt the author made to make this a unique and original vampire book was worth an extra star. I guess I am just nice that way :) But there were too many things that bothered me about the book altogether that has me doubting if I will really want to read the rest of the books in this series

For one thing, the characters annoyed me immensely. Bianca especially because I thought she was silly and an idiot the whole time. First of all, her relationship with Lucas bugged the hell out of me and there wasn't a single time where I thought he might be worth the effort. I pretty much disliked everyone else, except for maybe Balthazar, who also sometimes got a bit annoying too with his whole I-hate-being-a-vampire-self.

The second thing that really bothered me was the ridiculous plot twist in the middle. It threw me off completely and not in that cool sort of way where you suddenly can't put the book down because it got so good; more in what seemed like the author changed her mind halfway through the book and decided not the edit what she had previously written to match the rest of the book. It was strange.

I'm not one to bash a book, really. I'll just stop here. For the first half of the book, I just wanted to smack Bianca. And for the rest of it, I was just really hoping that it would get better, but for me, it didn't. I think I will eventually decide to give book two a try, just to see if I was maybe just crazy. I just really hope I enjoy it better.

Favorite Line:
"It’s funny—when people call you 'shy,' they usually smile. Like it’s cute, some funny little habit you’ll grow out of when you’re older, like the gaps in your grin when your baby teeth fall out. If they new how it felt—really being shy, not just unsure at first—they wouldn’t smile. Not if they knew how the feeling knots up your stomach or makes your palms sweat or robs you of the ability to say anything that makes sense. It’s not cute at all."
This book was provided by Lucy from Delightful Reviews

Review | The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga

Feb 23, 2010


Is this my hidden Mutant Power--The ability to screw up absolutely any decent situation?
Fanboy has never had it good, but lately his sophomore year is turning out to be its own special hell. The bullies have made him their favourite target., his best (and only) friend seems headed for the dark side (sports and popularity), and his pregnant mother and the step-fascist are eagerly awaiting the birth of the alien life form known as Fanboy's new little brother or sister.
 Fanboy, though, has a secret: a graphic novel he's been working on without telling anyone, a graphic novel that he is convinced will lead to publication, fame, and--most important of all--a way out of the crappy little town he lives in and away from all the people who make it hell for him. When fanboy meets Kyra, a.k.a. Goth Girl, he finds an outrageous, cynical girl who shares his love of comics as well as his hatred for jocks and bullies. Fanboy can't resist someone who actually seems to understand him, and soon he finds himself willing to heed her advice--to ignore or crush anyone who stand in his way. But Kyra has secrets, too. And they could lead Fanboy to his dreams...or down a path into his own darkness.


Thoughts: I really had no idea what this book was about and really just picked it up because it was the only Young Adult book there was in audio format at the library I was at that day. The voice Lyga gives Fanboy was what captured my attention from the beginning. Fanboy, whose real name I was never really sure of, is in that awkward age of fifteen, a nerd who is smarter than everyone else, loves comics and has only one real friend on most days. He is clueless about girls, gets bullied by older and bigger guys from school, and believes he has a way out of the suburban hell he is living in. A typical teenager with real problems, like dealing with his parents divorce and trying to fit in, Lyga was able to capture the misery, anxiety and confusion that teenagers usually go through in those tough years.

I instantly loved Fanboy and was able to understand what he felt like when he isolated himself from his family and most other people like many teenagers do. I enjoyed seeing high school through his eyes, and watching him struggle in his everyday life, while trying to figure things out. When he meets Goth Girl, they bond instantly…sort of. She is emotionally damaged and packed with an attitude that questions everything and has many issues of her own. Their love for comic books and hatred of jocks and popular students brings them together and takes an interesting turn later in the book as a few twists change the Fanboy’s journey through life.

The one thing I disliked was the abrupt ending. It sort of left us hanging there. And yet, I have to admit it kind of fit the entire book. It was a completely believable ending, one you would expect but I couldn’t help but want to know more afterwards. It was missing that sense of resolution and that made me a bit sad to see the book end.

This book was real, funny, dorky and also quite dark at certain points. The ending was its only weak point but there is another book, Goth Girl Rising, which hopefully gives us a satisfying ending that I was hoping for as it continues Kyra’s story.

Favorite Line(s):
"There are three things in this world that I want more than anything. I'll tell you the first two, but I'll never tell you the third."

"I want to not ride the bus to school every day, but that would be a waste of a really big want--it'll take care of itself eventually."

Weekly Recap (2.15-2.21)

Feb 22, 2010

I have been sort of on hiatus lately. I don't know why but I haven't been much for blogging and after much debate I have decided to once again make some changes on my blog and the way I do things around here. I am, for one, no longer going to participate in the three meme's that I usually do on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. Instead this meme, inspired by Nely from All About {n} will replace both Monday's reading and IMM on Fridays. I've decided not to add another meme to replace the one on Wednesday.

I have also decided not to continue with my Meet a Blogger Sunday Spotlight simply because I am not one for blogging on weekends because I usually spend most of them with my family. So that's gone. And I have decided to do as many reviews as I want to each week, so the numbers will always vary. That was the original purpose of my blog, and I have drifted a bit from that so I've decided to try and do that again.

Last week I got:
+ P.S. I Love You by Cecilia Ahern [Goodreads book swap]

I was super excited to get this book because I love the movie to pieces and haven't read it yet, so I found it for swap. It was my first book to get through Goodreads and I loved the system, so I think I will be trying that way more often now. I was also very happy that I got a copy with Gerard Butler on the cover because I think he is absolutely dreamy :)

Here's what I plan to read this week:

This is what I read last week(s):
+ Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr [audiobook]
+ If I Stay by Gayle Forman
+ Dear John by Nicholas Sparks [audiobook]
+ Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
+ Impetuous by Lori Foster

I reviewed:
Nothing. Again, I was in a blogging slump.

2010 BookFlix Challenge

Feb 20, 2010

Host: Books♥Soulmates
Timeline: 03.01.2010 - 03.31.2010
Rules:
- Anyone can join!
- You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time.
- Your books CAN cross over into other challenges.
- You cannot use old posted reviews

March Choices:
-Alice in Wonderland
*Read any books related to or based on Alice in Wonderland*
-Diary of a Wimpy Kid
*Read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series*
-Season of the Witch
*Read books related to Witches and Knights*
-Clash of the Titans
*Read books related to Clash of the Titans and Greek Mythology*

April Choices:
-
-
-
-

Books Read:
1.

in my mailbox eight.

Feb 12, 2010

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, which explores the contents of my mailbox on a weekly basis.



In the mail:
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Bought from store:

The Devouring by Simon Holt

From the Library:

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Review | At Face Value by Emily Franklin

Feb 11, 2010

"You've never seen a nose as big as mine."

A tennis champion, straight-A student, and editor of the school paper, Cyrie Bergerac has learned to live with her (ahem) peculiar proboscis. And she's got an armory of witty retorts for every schnoz joke that comes her way. But despite her talents and charm, Cyrie is convinced that no guy—hot or otherwise—would deem her crush-worthy. Certainly not Eddie "Rox" Roxanninoff, who's gorgeous, smart, and genuinely nice to boot!
There's someone else smitten with Rox, too. It's Leyla, Cyrie's pretty yet tongue-tied best friend. Helping Leyla seduce Rox through email provides a wonderful way for Cyrie to express her true feelings. But watching her crush hook up with Leyla may be more than she can take. Will Cyrie find the strength to risk it all—nose be damned—and confess her love?

Thoughts: This is a cute, fun, witty and quick read. A modern take on the Cyrano de Bergerac tale, At Face Value is like a any other romantic high-school comedy with seventeen year old, Cyrie Bergerac falling in love with someone she shouldn't.

I liked Cyrie, who is a near-perfect student with outstanding grades, a great relationship with her parents and best friend. However, her appearance is less than flawless. Specifically, her nose, and it's size.

Although its completely predictable from the beginning, it is a sweet book to enjoy over the weekend with clever, enjoyable characters and laugh-out-loud moments.

NOTE: Some blogger have noticed that after I changed my URL, they no longer receive updates on their list. I do not know how to fix this, except to remove yourself as a follower and then follow again. Sorry for the inconvenience.

on my wishlist eleven.

Feb 10, 2010

On My Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City.
It's all about sharing what books you're wishing for, and who doesn't have plenty of those?


Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog


Morgan Sparks and Cam Browne are a match made in heaven. They've been best friends since birth, they tell each other everything, and oh yeah- they're totally hot for each other.
But a week before their joint Sweet Sixteen bash, everything changes. Cam's awkward cousin Pip comes to stay, and Morgan is stunned when her formerly perfect boyfriend seems to be drifting away.
When Morgan demands answers, she's shocked to discover the source of Cam's distance isn't another girl- it's another world. Pip claims that Cam is a fairy. No, seriously. A fairy. And now his people want Cam to return to their world and take his rightful place as Fairy King.
Determined to keep Cam with her, Morgan plots to fool the fairies. But as Cam continues to change, she has to decide once and for all if he really is her destiny, and if their “perfect” love can weather an uncertain future.
This sounds like a cute book that I would like since I am reading fairy books lately. I love the cover too :)


Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

This sounds like a powerful and really good book. I've heard great things about it and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

What is on your wishlist this week?

NOTE: Some blogger have noticed that after I changed my URL, they no longer receive updates on their list. I do not know how to fix this, except to remove yourself as a follower and then follow again. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Review | Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Feb 9, 2010


Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.

Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.

In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.



Thoughts: Being a newbie to the faerie genre, I was a bit surprised that I enjoyed this more than what I originally expected. I had read one book previously about fey(?), and I was really iffy on the whole genre afterwards, but this completely changed my mind.

From the beginning, I found the book very enjoyable. I've read a few other reviews that complain on the beginning being too much like a "fairy tale" but I thought it was perfect. After all, it is about faeries.

I really liked Laurel, and I know she was a little too perfect, but she is someone I would love as a friend. I enjoyed her relationship with her parents and the friendship she had with David. I loved all the characters really and I am already torn between the love triangle that began to form in this first book (out of four!).

It is a great book to start off with if you haven't read any other faerie books because it gives a lot of background information if you don't know anything, but doesn't overwhelm you with too much. The story is great, with lots going on to keep it interesting throughout the book, and provides enough to explain how the faerie world works. I can't wait for the next book :)

NOTE: Some blogger have noticed that after I changed my URL, they no longer receive updates on their list. I do not know how to fix this, except to remove yourself as a follower and then follow again. Sorry for the inconvenience.

monday reading seventeen.

Feb 8, 2010


It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to celebrate what we are reading for the week.
Post the books completed last week, the books currently being read, and the books to be finished this week. Feel free to pile on a little extra.


Books completed last week:


The Girl Made of Cool by Alan Fox
Dino Vicelli by Lori Weiner
Master by Colette Gale

Currently Reading:

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Soulless by Gail Carriger 

Currently Listening:

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

What I'll Read Next:

Impetuous by Lori Foster
If I Stay by Gayle Forman



NOTE: Some blogger have noticed that after I changed my URL, they no longer receive updates on their list. I do not know how to fix this, except to remove yourself as a follower and then follow again. Sorry for the inconvenience.

on my wishlist ten.

Feb 3, 2010

On My Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City.
It's all about sharing what books you're wishing for, and who doesn't have plenty of those?


Beautiful by Amy Reed


When thirteen-year-old Cassie moves to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. She chooses some dangerous new friends and is quickly caught up in their fast-paced world of drugs, sex, secrets, and cruelty.
Cassie's new existence both thrills and terrifies her. She embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, starts sleeping with an older boy, and gets pulled into a twisted friendship triangle that is tinged with violence and abuse. Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral, and there's no turning back.


This sounds like a really good book, and I am signed up to received an ARC copy on tour, but I can't wait to read it. I really like the cover too!


Youth in Revolt by C.D. Payne


Told as the diary of an oversexed 14-year-old, this three-part comic-novel deals with the usual adolescent bugbears: divorced parents, rebellion, virginity. Set in the cultural wasteland of trailer-park northern California, the episodic plot involves arson, car theft, police brutality and more. Nick tries to win an even more precocious girl his age, Sheeni Saunders, by means of allusive letters and screwball schemes which eventually backfire...


Yes, I am in love with Michael Cera. Why? I just don't know. So I saw a preview for the movie, and I thought it looks really funny and he looks really great. So I need the book :) I'm not too happy about that cover though.


What's on your wishlist this week?

Review | The Everafter by Amy Huntley

Feb 2, 2010

Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this—she is dead. And alone, in a vast, dark space. The only company she has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things Maddy lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that with these artifacts, she can reexperience—and sometimes even change—moments from her life.
Her first kiss.
A trip to Disney World.
Her sister's wedding.
A disastrous sleepover.
In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and sometimes frightening truths about her life—and death.
This is a haunting and ultimately hopeful novel about the beauty of even the most insignificant moments—and the strength of true love even beyond death.



Thoughts: This book was unlike anything I've ever read and the author's view on the afterlife is completely different.

The author used lost items to connect Madison back to her life and we begin to see who she is through the glimpses into her memories, slowly building a character you can relate to and understand. As the story develops, we experience happy, sad, confusing and funny moments that show us what her life was like, who were the people she loved, and keeps us guessing on how she died.

I loved the idea of The Everafter, especially being able to relive moments after dying. When the novel travels back to a certain time, there's no knowing what could happen.

The ending was a complete shock to me, and I did not see it coming. I was glad we find out what happens and how, but I was a bit disappointed there were so many unanswered questions left in the end.

Although it starts off a bit too slow for my like, it gets much better. This is an enjoyable and quick read, with a completely unique view on what happens when you die, and will leave you thinking even after you've put it down.

tcmg giveaway: up for grabs in feburary.

Feb 1, 2010


I was happy with the turnout of last month's Top Commenter Monthly Giveaway, and it was easy enough to work with. If you have no idea what this is and want to learn how it works, click here.

For this month, I changed the rules a bit and I have decided to have two winners, and the giveaway will also be international. I had a hard time deciding what to giveaway and ended up with a three way tie when I had you guys voting, so I decided to let the winner choose from a few books. Thanks for the help though!

Anyways, since there will be two winners chosen this month, I've decided to throw in the Top 5 Commenter's into the mix, not just the top three, like last month. That way there a few more chances to win.

Most of the same rules apply for this one, and next month it will go back to normal (I think!).
And just to be clear, from the listed books, both winners can choose any one book. So even if both winners want the same book, they can both get it.

And the books up for grabs this month are:

Fallen by Lauren Kate

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.
Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.


The Iron King by Julie Kagawa


Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series.


Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey
On Solange’s sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that’s not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black—agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father’s killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family.Luckily she has her own secret weapon—her human best friend Lucy—who is willing to defend Solange’s right to a normal life, whether she’s being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange’s eternal life—Lucy and Solange’s brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black—in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump start any romance-lover’s heart. 
I've heard great things of all these books so I'm excited to give you guys a chance to win one of them! I hope you guys enjoy the picks I decided on. The Iron King was a last minute choice since it just came out today, so I know plenty of you might not have yet! I don't :)

Remember, to be eligible to win you must be on the Top 5 Commenters.
Thanks for participating :) I will be announcing the winner on the last weekend of Feb.
Again, if you have any questions, feel free to leave it in a comment or email me.

2010 iChallenge Playlist

Host: Book♥Soulmates
Timeline: 2.01.2010 - 02.01.2011
Rules: - Anyone can join!
- You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time.
- Your books CAN cross over into other challenges.
Ex. If you read a book that has Weres, Vamps AND Witches in it, you can count it towards iWere, iVamp AND iWitch.
- You cannot use old posted reviews

TWIST: Movies can also be reviewed
-Reviews must be only for movies that fit the criteria for each iChallenge - duh!
-Reviews must be only for movies that premier during the duration of the challenge (2/1/10 - 2/1/11). Sorry guys, no old movies!
-Participants cannot review just movies. We will only accept movie reviews in addition to book reviews!

iFae:
1. Wicked Lovely (March)
2.

iWere:
1. The Wolfman (March)
2. Claire De Lune (July)
3.

iWitch:
1. The Prophecy of the Sisters (April)
2. A Great and Terrible Beauty (April)
3. White Cat (July)

iVamp:
1.

monday reading sixteen.

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to celebrate what we are reading for the week. Post the books completed last week, the books currently being read, and the books to be finish this week. Feel free to pile on a little extra.


Books completed last week:




The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


Currently Reading:


Master by Colette Gale
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen


Currently Listening to:


Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr


What I'll Read Next:


Soulless by Gail Carriger
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
The Girl Made of Cool by Alan Fox

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