Review: Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley

Title: Rites of Passage
Author: Joy N. Hensley
Published: September 9, 2014
Pages: 416
Series: (Unknown but possibly)
Source: purchased

Goodreads summary: Sam McKenna’s never turned down a dare. And she's not going to start with the last one her brother gave her before he died.

So Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at the prestigious Denmark Military Academy. She’s expecting push-ups and long runs, rope climbing and mud-crawling. As a military brat, she can handle an obstacle course just as well as the boys. She's even expecting the hostility she gets from some of the cadets who don’t think girls belong there. What she’s not expecting is her fiery attraction to her drill sergeant. But dating is strictly forbidden and Sam won't risk her future, or the dare, on something so petty...no matter how much she wants him.

As Sam struggles to prove herself, she discovers that some of the boys don’t just want her gone—they will stop at nothing to drive her out. When their petty threats turn to brutal hazing, bleeding into every corner of her life, she realizes they are not acting alone. A decades-old secret society is alive and active… and determined to force her out.
At any cost.

Now time's running short. Sam must decide who she can trust...and choosing the wrong person could have deadly consequences.

**REVIEW**

IMPRESSION
I don't think the title, cover, or synopsis makes the story justice, whatsoever. I would've easily passed up on this. The depth, tension, and strength of this book doesn't come across in the summary. The mention of "a dare" and "dating" made this sound like another contemporary novel with a female protagonist in an unfavorable situation, crushing on someone off-limits.

Nothing prepared me for the intense, captivating, enthralling ride. I read it in one sitting until the wee hours of the morning, wide awake despite exhaustion prior to turning that first page. And I was exhausted when I finished, in a really good way. The happy, pumped sort of exhaustion.

STORY
This is a military book and I loved the crap out of it.

Sam is one of the first female students ever at the military academy, and the reality is harsh. Really harsh. There are continuous reasons to turn the page as fast as you can and root for her. You'll get attached to characters. You'll learn a whole lot.
And maybe (if you're in that state of mind) you'll even, sort of, not really, definitely not (wouldn't survive a day) wish you were there because you'd want to meet that hopelessly crush-worthy guy.

CHARACTERS
Sam is a force of determination, bravery, and courage. I sat on needles for her through many parts and I'm stunned how a character can make me so insanely, inexplicably proud. I admire her to no end.

There wasn't one uncertain character. Everyone had their own impact, their own place, their own voice. The character were well-written and memorable. Even the characters you despised you enjoyed reading about, because they were believable.
I especially appreciated the raw, shaky friendship between Sam and the girls, and Sam's authentic relationship with the boys. Kelly, Drill, Rev, Jonathan, Amos, Huff, and more... love 'em guys.

A thank you to Hensley for writing this fantastic book.

My one and only question mark, to those who've read the book, I didn't quite understand why Sam was the chosen victim. Why her specifically from day one? Why were they hardest on her even before she'd proven to be "an issue"?

(5/5)

Review: Losing Logan by Sherry D. Ficklin

Title: Losing Logan
Author: Sherry D. Ficklin
Published: May 2, 2014
Pages: 230
Source: purchased

Goodreads Summary: What if the one thing you never meant to hold on to, is the one thing you can’t let go of?

Normally finding a hot guy in her bedroom wouldn’t irritate Zoe so badly, but finding her childhood friend Logan there is a big problem. Mostly because he’s dead. 

As the only person he can make contact with, he talks Zoe into helping him put together the pieces surrounding his mysterious death so he can move on. 

Thrust into his world of ultra popular rich kids, Zoe is out of her element and caught in the cross-hairs of Logan’s suspicious ex-girlfriend and the friends he left behind, each of whom had a reason to want him dead. The deeper they dig to find the truth, the closer Zoe gets to a killer who would do anything to protect his secrets. And that’s just the start of her problems because Zoe is falling for a dead guy.

**REVIEW**

How crazy good it feels to give 'Losing Logan' its five stars.

First off, I want to say that the story isn't depressing, it's actually strangely heartwarming. I smiled a lot while reading it and chuckled at the impressively witty banter. Secondly, what you won't learn from the premise is that 'Losing Logan' has so much emotion. The plot is simple but the soul of the book is all intertwined.

Zoe was relatable, authentic, and independent. She was sassy and snarky in the most humorous ways. We learn that Zoe and Logan were childhood friends but drifted apart once Logan became popular and Zoe did not. This sounds like the typical case of "you turned popular, I turned geek" and I highly appreciate Ficklin for not making Zoe such a character - she was the total opposite, fearlessly awesome but closed-off.

Logan was like a rock in the story, which is ironic since he's dead and the one depending on Zoe. Though, somehow she ends up needing him just as much. His character radiated a sense of warmth and calmness. I definitely grew attached to him, to the point that I wanted to pause in the middle of the book and write Ficklin to beg her to re-write the plot and have Logan come to life again. I mean, it could happen.

The absolutely hilarious and frustrating banter between the two won me over from the start. I couldn't stress how much I loved it.

I read 'Losing Logan' in one sitting, not only caught up by the characters but by the plot line and mystery surrounding Logan's death. There were little surprises here and there, for sure. I did manage to predict the killer (not because of the clues, but my own logic just asking why this person was there in the story at all.)

What isn't mentioned in the premise is the reaper following Zoe or Logan around, which was quite creepy and suspenseful. I was a little disappointed how everything turned out and ended up having a few questions about it (mostly just: well, why?)
I guess I'd been hoping for a crazy sub-plot. The ending was a tad unsatisfying and rushed. I would've loved a few more pages with Zoe and Logan, just to round everything out. The epilogue, however, almost-maybe made up for it.

There is a love triangle and I think Ficklin's execution of it was utterly beautiful. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

'Losing Logan' was fun, mysterious, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love.

(5/5)

Review: The Vanishing Girl by Laura Thalassa

Title: The Vanishing Girl (#1)
Author: Laura Thalassa
Published: March 15, 2014
Pages: 338
Series: The Vanishing Girl
Source: purchased

Goodreads Summary: Every night after Ember Pierce falls asleep, she disappears. She can teleport anywhere in the world—London, Paris, her crush’s bedroom—wherever her dreams lead her. Ten minutes is all she gets, and once time’s up, she returns to her bed. It's a secret she’s successfully kept for the last five years. But now someone knows.

A week after her eighteenth birthday, when frustratingly handsome Caden Hawthorne captures her, delivers her to the government, and then disappears before her eyes, Ember realizes two things: One, she is not alone. And two, people like her—teleporters—are being used as weapons.
Dragged off to a remote facility where others like her live, Ember’s forced to pair up with her former captor, Caden, to learn how to survive inside until she can escape. Only Caden’s making escape seem less and less appealing.
But even as Ember falls for the boy who got her into this mess, she knows that she is running out of time. Because the government has plans for those like her, and those plans might just cost Ember her life.


**REVIEW**

A pleasant surprise.

I was hooked from the very first chapters and could not stop turning the pages.

I loved Thalassa's smooth and confident writing style and even pacing; everything carried out effortlessly throughout the story. She balanced action, mystery, and romance gracefully. There was just a flawless amount of small moments and big moments.

Ember as a protagonist immediately captured me - she was solid, level-headed, and humorous. I quickly gained confidence in her and trusted her actions. She held her own. I loved the narrating voice.

When you make a character as sexy, straightforward, and banter-driven as Caden, you'll drive the reader to either roll their eyes or chuckle at the things he says and does. Either it works or it's just annoying. I definitely chuckled. He could easily have been overdone and cliche, and I'm ridiculously relieved that he wasn't. This guy was on fire, but in a strangely endearing and enigmatic way.

Ember and Caden were good together and even though they were with each other, more or less, from start to finish, it worked. I adored their banter. However, I truly hope the gushing and craving of one another doesn't get out of hand and distract from the actual plot.

The characters in 'The Vanishing Girl' were all believable and interesting. I really liked that whichever character meant for a certain role weren't outright as expected; there was always a little more to them.

Everything regarding the teleporting, the training, and the missions were enjoyable and I can't wait to learn more about Adrian and the stones.

I finished 'The Vanishing Girl' in one go. Despite the abrupt ending I had a fair sense of satisfaction, and will definitely pick up the sequel this fall.

(4.5)

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Shatter Me (#1)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Published: November 15, 2011
Pages: 357
Series: yes (second installment 'Unravel Me' published February 5, 2013)
Source: purchased

Goodreads Summary: Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war– and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

**REVIEW**

When I come across a book and its many reviews, very positive and very negative, I sometimes feel compelled to read it just to get my own perception and my own say in it, and it's interesting not knowing if you're going to hate or love the book but you'll read it just to find out.

This wasn't entirely the case with 'Shatter Me' but a version of it. It was the power of reviews that had me stay away and the power of reviews that had me approach. I read a sample of the book and felt sort of hypnotized, to be honest with you.

It told me I wanted to know more more more. (I just had to do that. If you've read the book you'll be familiar with the repetitive words and the strikethroughs.)

Which brings me to Mafi's (controversial) writing style. I completely get the frenzy around it. It is not traditional writing - throughout 'Shatter Me' Mafi, as mentioned, repeat words and phrases (example: I don't know I don't know I don't know), uses strikethrough on words and phrases like Juliette is crossing out her own thoughts, and writes smaller parts with only lowercase letters.

It was the writing and not the storyline that caught my attention. I've never read anything remotely like it and I was impressed that someone "dared" push the limits.

The strikethroughs got to me first; it was a little distracting, I didn't understand it at first and I even considered that the book had been misprinted.

Weirdly enough, the repetitive words weren't a huge issue for me. Especially in the beginning when you meet Juliette who's been locked up in an asylum, it suited. It just really did. She'd been forced to adjust to an insane environment for two-hundred and sixty-four days in her own lonesome company - who wouldn't be repeating nonsense?

The repetitiveness were her scattered, unstable thoughts. Mafi did an excellent job of portraying Juliette as someone verging on crazy, as someone who had in fact been locked up for as long as she had.

It wasn't until later in the book when the unstable part of Juliette didn't feel as current anymore that I could've gone without her repeating thoughts because, by that point, it felt more like Mafi was trying to keep up with it  rather than something that contributed to Juliette's state of mind.

And wow have I never come anywhere close to commenting this much on the writing of a book only. Mafi has indeed left an impression, and that alone is an accomplishment.

As to the storyline - I was so caught up on the writing I'd hardly processed what the story was all about. The Reestablishment want to take advantage of Juliette's ability; and Warner, the young leader of sector 45, is the head of the case and also happens to be obsessed with Juliette.

Warner's personal intentions with Juliette were.. disturbing. The whole thing was. He would do something nice with a twisted mind. Juliette would express her disgust towards him but then manage to talk to him anyway, curiously asking him questions, and even making a "joke."

Juliette lacked logic, strength, and clarity at times. She never behaved outright cold or spitefulness towards Warner. He should've resembled every emotion of pain or hatred that she felt, and despite making her do horrible things and making her be there "working with him" at all, she could still find it in her to just talk to him.

In general, I didn't have a problem with Juliette. Her mind was a maze and I wanted to learn it but there were some things that felt out of place for sure, things that didn't fit with someone who was supposed to be broken. 

Enter Adam. Authors have got to stop using that name because sometime in the future the word "hot" is going to get replaced my "Adam."

I was surprised to respond to him so quickly. The way Mafi chose to introduce him was very interesting, a good move, and I even thought that she should've carried on with the part of Juliette, Adam, and the asylum for longer so that the "betrayal" would've made much more of an impact.

I really liked Adam. Without being the obvious, in your face, forced-upon-you perfect; he was pretty flawless - good and gentle and alluring.

I take it the history Adam and Juliette shared and what was later revealed [Spoilers starting!] Such as Adam having been in love with Juliette three years back and had volunteered to do the assignment because he cared for her. Yes, of course. [Spoilers ended!] was to strengthen their bond, it really didn't have much of an affect and came across as more to perfect their love rather than bring something to the story.

It's extremely rare that I read a book with non-existent romance and love it, so I'm not complaining when there's more romance than expected, which there was - some of it I really responded to and other had me wonder how they could possibly have the time and sense to kiss and cuddle when something so alarming and terrifying was going on.

I especially wondered and questioned how Juliette, someone who'd been locked up for nearly a year adjusted so quickly to everything. How she even managed to speak to Adam at the asylum. This is a girl who hasn't spoken or seen a human being in almost a year so I found that her adjustment was too drastic. She functioned too easily, loved too fast. In just a month or so the Juliet who may or may not have been insane, was changed.

I can't say I loved the direction Mafi chose to steer the story (when the many X-Men references came to make sense). I liked that there was so much more than Juliette and the asylum, that there was so much more to learn.. but 'Shatter Me' had been rightfully fresh up until then. Let's just say the story took a major turn into fantasy-land and I'm uncertain it will be to my complete liking.

James and Kenji were two great characters I'm looking to read more about and I'm just generally ecstatic for the next installment and what is to come.

(4.5/5)

Review: Haven (War of the Princes) by A.R Ivanovich

Title: Haven: War of the Princes (#1)

Author: A.R Ivanovich

Published: May 26, 2011

Pages: 392

Series: yes

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: From missing socks to missing people, nothing could remain hidden from seventeen year-old Katelyn Kestrel for long, but after locating a forbidden passage out of her isolated country, Haven, she discovers for the first time that there are some things that should never be found. Outside the safety of her homeland’s borders, Katelyn meets Rune, a young soldier who will die without her immediate aid. She never considered that helping him would lead to her capture. 

While being held prisoner by the handsome Lord Dylan Axton, she learns that the outside world is rife with war and controlled by people with extraordinary powers. It becomes clear that there was a very good reason the founders of Haven locked their people away from the rest of the world. The depth of her peril reaches a fever pitch when a ruthless Commander wants Katelyn dead. Her only hope is to return to Haven, but can she survive long enough to find her home?

**REVIEW**

'Haven' was a lovely surprise of a story - it had magnificent and imaginable world-building, memorable characters, and a great storyline.

I loved how the story started off with only a couple of chapters of an "intro" (where we get to see how Katelyn's life - a quite normal one - is like in school and with friends) before she sets off one night to look for a way out of the walls of Haven, something that hasn't been done in seven-hundred years.

I thought the atmosphere of Haven was going to be a dystopian one with the controlled society and strict rules, but it was the contrary of that which was pretty wonderful. Haven is a safe, happy, and peaceful place. I felt safe while reading about Haven Valley, I would totally live there! I also found Katelyn's dad to be hilarious with how he had no problem trusting Katelyn when she snuck out at night.

I enjoyed everything about Katelyn's journey to the Outside - how the secret passage was found at a graveyard, the threatening scribbles on the walls, the dry aquamarine water, the cave. It was exciting and confronting.

The Outside - also known as the town of Breakwater - was a world of its own, set in a different era. I was definitely intrigued by the Dragoons and their duty. I must admit I was a little bit lost in the mix of lords and commanders (and Margraves and Princes) there were a lot of people involved but I got the general idea of how they were ranked and how it worked.

I liked how Ivanovich placed Katelyn in the fairly royal hands of Dylan at the beginning and how Katelyn desperately tried to get away, not realizing this was the freest she'd be on the Outside and that it really was something she should've appreciated.

Dylan was, well, hard to figure out. Though he was full of himself and/or manipulative, he was never solely bad. I can't even say he was bad. Dylan was a wild card, you didn't really know with him. I read that Ivanovich had intended for 'Haven' to be a stand-alone novel but with the possibility of a sequel at the end, and I have to say, if 'Haven' had been left as a stand-alone I would've been left profusely conflicted about Dylan. He did not leave off in a good light and I'm glad there might be more to learn.

Even though the title states "War of the Princes" the reader isn't exposed to the war per se, the only knowledge and information about the war is that there is a war going on. 'Haven' followed Katelyn in her quest of going back to Haven Valley, truly a safe haven. Though Katelyn spends a good chunk of the story captured, there was never a dull moment.

I loved Katelyn's character - she was a great narrator with a sensible voice - strong-willed, compassionate, and even with a little wit thrown in to lighten up the mood.

The only time I found myself sighing at her was when she could not stop blaming Rune for something he clearly had had no choice over, other than that, there was not one choice or decision of hers that made me roll my eyes or wonder what the hell she'd been thinking. Katelyn seemed to always be at the top of her game.

I hadn't had any expectations romance-wise, and it was perfectly okay. Cave Rune had me wanting to know more and Dragoon Rune was mysterious. There was absolutely something about him, and that he wasn't allowed any connections to friends or family made it much more daring and I liked that because you knew, under the emotionless exterior, he's surely feeling. Although, honestly, the name Rune.. I needed some warming up to it.

Ironically enough, the minor (really minor) slow-going moment for me was the big fighting sequence towards the end - I don't know why I experienced that it was a bit scattered, it could very well have been my middle-of-the-night slow brain.

I was okay with the ending, though again, had 'Haven' been a stand-alone, I would've been left wondering too much about things - about Breakwater, about Dylan, about Rune. So I'm really glad there will be more.

Ivanovich's writing is excellent, very pleasant and expressive. I enjoyed every minute of it and I'm excitedly looking forward to the second installment.

(4.5/5)

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everneath (#1)

Author: Brodi Ashton

Published: January 24, 2012

Pages: 384

Series: yes (second installment, 'Everbound' out January 22, 2013)

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. 

Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

**REVIEW**

Why why why did I wait so long to read Everneath?!

I've come across this book so many times and considered it so many times, but for SOME reason (one I cannot recall as of today) I kept on going, "Nah, I don't think I'll read that." I'd read many reviews pointing out the mythological aspects of the book and perhaps that made me uncertain.

But man have I been missing out.

'Everneath' was a poignant, emotion-driven story. I could not put it down. I loved Ashton's lucid writing style and the way scenes started, finished, and followed each other - everything flowed without any dull moments or any choppiness and I was never lost in the storyline.

The idea for 'Everneath' was intriguing and perfectly well-crafted. Usually when it comes to fantasy it can easily get stuffy but 'Everneath' was kept so... clear - simple enough the readers won't have a problem following the story and complex enough to be exciting. And I appreciated Ashton didn't overwhelm the story with mythology, it was kept nice and neat.

I enjoyed the little flashbacks of Nikki's past and what led up to her, willingly, choose to follow Cole to 'Everneath.' I could easily put myself in Nikki's shoes, I emphasized with her. She was so likable and real and it was painful to experience her emptiness, regrets, and acceptance of her fate.

I didn't expect to find a strong connection to Jack, mostly because of the thought of him being some old boyfriend Nikki might pine for back. However, that wasn't the case at all. Nikki kept her distance and hers and Jack's re-connection came incredibly naturally and simply made sense - they just fit together.

Jack ended up having a special place in my heart - he was so believable and realistic and... good. Nothing about him was forced, he was such a completed character.

Though there was definitely something about Cole, as well. Despite having unclear intentions, there was something attractive and intriguing about him and I look forward to learning more and feeling more towards him.

I was captured by 'Everneath' and Ashton may just be a new favorite author. This book is simply a must-read!

(5/5)

Review: After Ever by Jillian Eaton

Title: After Ever (After #1)

Author: Jillian Eaton

Published: June 12, 2012

Pages: 196

Series: yes

Source: received

Goodreads Summary: For sixteen-year-old Winnie Coleman, dying is the least of her worries. Between coming to terms with her mother’s unexpected death, trying to think up new and inventive ways to break up her father and Girlfriend #3, and keeping her brother from chewing off his fingers, she has her hands full. Courtesy of a thin patch of ice and failed swimming lessons, all of that changes in the blink of an eye. 

In death Winnie will find the answers that eluded her in life, and a whole slew of other questions she never thought to ask. Like why is she stuck with Sam for a guide? Sure, he’s funny and cute in a geeky sort of way, but he wears sweater vests… and loafers. For a girl who has tattoos on her face and glue in her hair, it’s not exactly the best match up.
But when Sam is taken and his very existence threatened, Winnie must make the ultimate choice between cowardice and courage. Faithlessness and loyalty. Family... and love.

**REVIEW**
I was so astonished by how well-rounded 'After Ever' was considering it being under the average novel length. You're taken on a complete whirlwind of a journey in Winnie's afterlife or what we learn to be called just the "After" and you'll come out the other end.. intrigued.

Already from the beginning Eaton does a great job of keeping you on your toes. Even though you know Winnie will die, you're not sure when or if she's not already dead or what is going on. I was confused, in a good way, while reading.

I didn't particularly like Winnie at the very start of the book - she was rude and snide, even selfish. But as you get a little further into the story you'll learn the cause of everything, you'll learn that since Winnie's mom passed away no one has been the same, and Winnie is no exception. 

I found myself coming to an understanding as to why Winnie behaved the way she did and I got it. I also liked Winnie's internal conversations with herself - I felt like it was an extra window into showing who she really was and what she really felt.

The After was pretty fascinating. It's one of those things when you just cannot comprehend how the author, how a person, has thought of it all. It was complex yet totally something I could envision and was envisioning. 

Having a guide, the different levels, the Jump Doors, the Unknowns, going back to the past, getting lost in memories, the Solace Room, attending your own funeral?! I was really impressed. It was all so well constructed.

Part of me thought Winnie (or just anyone) should've been more frustrated or agitated when finding themselves in the freaky, overwhelming world of the After. 

However, somehow Eaton had me believe this was how even I would've reacted if finding myself in the After - asking tons of questions, trying to figure everything out. She had me convinced.

Sam Trent - lanky, kind of cute, sort of geeky boy. And then Eaton goes and gets me all confused when it's mentioned he has a six pack and that he's aware that he has one. 

Jokes (or not) aside, Winnie and Sam both grew in my eyes. They were less common main characters - rebellious dreadlocks girl/sweater-vest-wearing boy - which can either go really wrong or really right, in my opinion, and at the end of the day I did like them.

When the plot is revealed the questions I had about Winnie and why this, why that, were answered and simultaneously convincing me how good the following installments will be. You just know something big is planned to happen.

It wasn't until the end that I felt the book had been too short, or the ending just too abrupt. After putting down 'After Ever' I came to the conclusion that I could live with it, but I can see why more people would be bothered by it than not. Though a good cliffhanger is necessary for a first installment and as of right now I do think I'll read the second one.

'After Ever' was a new, original take on a story about afterlife. I've never read anything like it before and I believe many will find themselves engrossed in it. Thank you to Jillian Eaton for sending me a copy!

*UPDATE: since this review an additional final chapter has been added to the Kindle version of 'After Ever'!

(4.5/5)

Review: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Title: Sweet Evil (Sweet #1)

Author: Wendy Higgins

Published: May 1, 2012

Pages: 464

Series: Trilogy (second installment called 'Sweet Hope')

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: Embrace the Forbidden. What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences? This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels. Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna. Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

**REVIEW**

Oh my goodness. If possible, I would've put my life on a giant hold for 'Sweet Evil.'

Excellent, highly enjoyable read.

I was dead-on sold from page one. It was something about the easiness in Higgins writing - everything sailed on tremendously smooth and natural. I was seized by an instant reaction of interest and intrigue.

It was so smooth-sailing (can't stress it enough.) I had no reluctance towards the storyline, plot, or characters whatsoever. I was captivated and immersed in all of. All of it. This was actually the kind of book I wanted to read slowly, consciously saving chapters to "read later." The kind of book you're dreading the page number of; I didn't want it to end.

A round of applause for the freshness of this angel storyline - it was utterly ingenious, uncluttered, and well executed. No unnecessary fuss or historical background that will zone you out, but enough to fill you in and have you believe it. Everything came to place so smoothly. Here I go again with all the smoothness.

Every character - protagonist as well as secondary, were simply superb. I don't think I've ever cared for this many characters at once before. Anna, Jay, Patti, Kaiden, Belial..

Anna wasn't a challenge to connect with, she was kind, genuine, and determined. Very likable. Although she was in great success presented as Miss Goody-Goody, that is gradually and naturally interfered with.

Jay is the close guy friend you never had, seriously! And, well, Patti is the adoptive mother you never had - she had such a beautiful persona. I feel so much love and warmth for these two.

I found Patti's reactions and emotions towards Anna and her newfound knowledge of who she is to be realistic without being over- or underwhelming. It was clear how loving and protective she was of Anna, simultaneously having reasons for trusting Anna with her own independence and responsibility.

I was all giddy during unlikely phases of the book. It was Kaiden, it was all Kaiden. Though he was to portray bad, untrustworthy, offending - he was just so.. so.. basically he had this intense, alluring quality about him. He's the guy you should stay away from but have hopelessly fallen for.

Describing him as a bad boy doesn't sound right. He is what he was born into, he's not capable of anything else (er, yet). Behind the lustful lure of his persona, I saw that he was honest and protective of Anna. These two need tension, uncertainty, as much as the back-and-forth.

Something struck me about the ending, especially the scene of Anna and the postcard. My heart wept. It was such a tranquil, beautiful, moving ending. I loved it. 

'Sweet Evil' was awesomeness - easy to follow, so easy to enjoy. It set the perfect pace for what will hopefully be a trilogy and I'm ridiculously excited for it.

 (5/5)

Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Pandemonium (Delirium #2)

Author: Lauren Oliver

Published: February 28, 2012

Pages: 337

Series: yes (first installment is 'Delirium')

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare, 

pushing aside thoughts of Alex, 

pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school, 

push, 

push, 

push, 

like Raven taught me to do.

The old life is dead.

But the old Lena is dead too.

I buried her.

I left her beyond a fence,

behind a wall of smoke and flame.

**REVIEW**

After finishing 'Delirium' I immediately picked up 'Pandemonium' and finished it in one sitting.

It took me completely by surprise how good I found it - so good.

'Delirium' is faster, action-packed, stronger. It's now clear 'Delirium' was only setting the stage, convincing the reader. I left off not quite liking Lena - I found that she was incredibly brainwashed, that she was weak.

In 'Pandemonium' we'll flash back and forth between Lena's "now" (when she's back inside the fences) and her "then" (when she's living in the Wilds) and I very much enjoyed following the two stories back-to-back. It was a great idea of Oliver to craft the story this way.

The Wilds was believable and I could sense the cold and struggle through the pages, I also really liked that the book was set in New York - it was much wider, freer, the atmosphere definitely didn't feel as controlled or trapped as in Portland. There was more room to breathe. For the majority of the book, it barely felt like a dystopian society which I didn't mind.

The whole plotline in 'Pandemonium' did contain a few flaws but generally had more space to move around in. Though I loved Lena's newfound egde, I found it a bit unbelievable that she'd gotten so invincible in all of her encounters. She was a little too much of a pro all of a sudden.

To me, 'Pandemonium' was all about Lena's growth. She's made a 180 from where she left off, she's grown - I was shocked by her newfound strength.

In 'Pandemonium' Lena's been learning to survive in the Wilds, to live with everything she's left behind. She's tougher, edgier, stronger. I automatically compared her to Cammie from the 'Gallagher Girls' series by Ally Carter.

I was heartbroken by how Lena held onto Alex, it actually made me like him so much more. Just the constant idea of him made me realize I needed him with Lena. Alex had been the reason for everything and it really mattered now that he wasn't around.

[Minor spoilers!] How the deal with Julian was going to unfold was apparent. Some may have been bothered by the fact that Lena could fall in love with another guy so soon after supposedly losing Alex but considering the circumstances and the odd situations she found herself in with Julian, it wasn't out of the blue. Two people, forced to be with each other, and fearing for their lives, are bound to grow some kind of connection. I didn't feel any particular way about Julian but I didn't mind him either, he was just there. [Spoilers ended!]

The end, sort of expected, had me totally excited. I'm dying to read the last installment! I need to know how things are going to turn out and I can't believe I'll have to wait until next year. Though, it's set in stone I'll read the third and last installment. How could I not with the cliffhanger Oliver presented?!

(4.5/5)

Review: Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

Title: Out of Sight, Out of Time (Gallagher Girls #5)

Author: Ally Carter

Published: March 13, 2012

Pages: 336

Series: Gallagher Girls

Source: purchased

Good to know: best series I've ever read

Amazon Summary: The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan—an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers that months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

**REVIEW**

(First installment: ‘I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You’)

 I’ve held off writing this review. I’ve been a loyal reader of the ‘Gallagher Girls’ series since the beginning, book one, five years ago. And for every installment Carter achieves a new level of awesomeness and quality. As I expressed in the collected review of the four previous installments: the books are crazy brilliant, Carter is a freaking genius.

 Words can barely describe how amazing I find the story-developing as well as storytelling of these books. Carter never ceases to impress me.

 ‘Out of Sight, Out of Time’ or GG5 did not disappoint, because that’s impossible. As always Carter knows her way around suspense and action. Only the first few chapters I couldn’t believe how much had happened - I found myself to be repeatedly surprised by occurrences, sometimes physically gaping.

Where GG4 left off, Cammie was to run away by herself to find answers and Carter had been clear about Cammie being alone on this journey which I hadn’t known what to make of. How would the story go with Cammie being on her own? But of course Carter knows what she’s doing and there’s no way she’ll exclude Liz, Bex, Macy, and Zach (that would be crazy).

The energy in GG5 is different, this time Cammie’s the one who’s the mystery. The focus is on her and the things she went through the months she was gone but forgotten about. The fact that Cammie suffered from amnesia bothered me but also served as the main reason why I so rapidly flipped the pages. Her journey will have you on the edge of your seat. I found myself with chills, a pounding heart, suspensful. But also sad.

Even though I know it didn’t and wouldn’t have suited at all in the story that was being told in GG5, I just generally missed Carter’s humor. Though, what really dissatisfied me was the Cammie-Zach situation. It was so absent and emotionless. Again, considering the circumstances in the book, yeah, I get it. But still! For most of the book I wasn’t even sure if they felt anything for each other anymore.

 One thing’s for sure, Carter will have you glued until the end. GG6, I’ll be waiting for you.

(4.5/5)

Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Title: Before I Fall

Author: Lauren Oliver

Published: October 25, 2011

Pages: 484

Source: purchased

Good to know: this book may not be appropriate for a younger audience.

Amazon Summary: What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.

The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

**REVIEW**

Wow.

I know I can’t make this book justice in my review. It had so much that can only be experienced ones own way, and that’s the beauty of it. All I know for sure is that whatever you may dislike in the book is exactly what it’s supposed to be. This book isn’t supposed to please you, it’s supposed to tell you a powerful story.

‘Before I Fall’ was incredibly good. I was fascinated by how amazingly well-written it was, and the fantastically woven plotline. Incredible, amazing, fantastic.

I didn’t find myself turning the pages dying to know what comes next, but it had me completely invest myself in every current page.

Oliver has managed with a terrific execution. The same seven days Sam wakes up to she feels differently, thinks differently, do things differently, and goes out of her way trying to meet a different ending to that day.The stages she goes through as she realizes the same day is playing itself over, are frustratingly real - the confusion, anger, desperation.. down to realization and trying to make everything right; even the decisions and outcomes that may not be within her power to correct.

Even though the book never mentions it, I was left deep in thought about the consequences of ones actions and how they snake on further than you can imagine. That’s what Sam learns about.

I appreciated Oliver telling a story from the point-of-view of the most popular, shallow, full-of-themselves, and probably meanest girls in school. But she exposed us to something so excruciatingly raw about these girls. This isn’t about pretty/popular/rich girls; this is about the rawness behind all of that. The ugly truth, if you will. They’re not supposed to be likable.

They’ll make poor decisions and go about in ugly ways, that’s for sure. But that’s why I loved that the story was told from their angle - maybe, just maybe, will you gain understanding to them (not to be mixed with their actions.) And that’s what I did.

I was frustrated with Sam. I felt hopeless with Sam. And I cried for Sam. At the end of the day, I never disliked her. If anything, Sam was brave.

The last chapter was so.. serene, somehow. I could feel it in the energy, in the air. Even as I inched closer to the ending, I hadn’t thought about it much. I hadn’t tried or been able to see how it was going to turn out. I just knew that I absolutely did not want to be disappointed. At that point I didn’t even know what would make me disappointed.

‘Before I Fall’ pulled on the strings of my emotions, it had me frustrated and concentrated and suspenseful, it had me sacrifice hours of precious sleep, it had me think. A lot.

The ending left off on a powerful note. Some might hate it and others - what I hope will be most - will be left.. peaceful. Just as I was.

Peaceful and serene. It just made sense. ‘Before I Fall’ is a master book.

(5/5)