Review: Stunning by Sara Shepard

Stunning (Pretty Little Liars #11) by Sara Shepard

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (June 5, 2012)

Goodreads Description:

 Full of darker secrets, juicier scandals, and deadlier plot twists, the latest arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling series continues to deliver fast-paced, tension-ridden drama.

After Alison DiLaurentis tried to kill them, Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna tried to get their lives back on track. But these girls just can’t stay out of trouble. First there was their disastrous trip to Jamaica, and their summer breaks were no less eventful. Now a new A is stalking them, taunting them with the very secrets these pretty little liars have been trying to forget. But this A doesn’t just want to blackmail the girls—this A is out for blood.

Sara Shepard’s fan base only gets bigger as the hit ABC Family Pretty Little Liars TV show continues to draw new readers to the bestselling series. Everyone will be dying to find out what A does next....

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My Thoughts:

I don't have much to say about this book because I felt like nothing of interest really happened. Normally the Pretty Little Liars books are chock full of twists and surprises but it in this one there only seemed to be one twist (at least in my opinion). I pretty much figured out that twist somewhere between the first quarter to first half of the book, so when it came time for the reveal that was supposed to be shocking my reaction was, "duh!". The story AND the characters were lackluster and boring. These girls have been through a lot and are a little older so I would expect some growth but they all seem to be repeating their mistakes over and over. Overall, the book wasn't bad (or good), it was just disappointing. Hopefully the series will be ending within the next book or two because I think the series is suffering by continuing, but I do want to know how things turn out so I will be reading the next book in the series. 

2.5/5

*I received this book for review. Any opinions are my own.* 

Review: Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot

 

Size 12 and Ready to Rock (Heather Wells #4) by Meg Cabot

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Original edition (July 10, 2012)

Goodreads Description:

 Summer break . . . and the livin' ain't easy

Just because the students at New York College have flown the coop doesn't mean assistant residence hall director Heather Wells can relax. Fischer Hall is busier than ever, filled with squealing thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls attending the first ever Tania Trace Teen Rock Camp, hosted by pop sensation Tania Trace herself--who just happens to be newly married to Heather's ex-boyfriend, heartthrob Jordan Cartwright. But the real headache begins when the producer of a reality TV show starring Tania winds up dead . . . and it's clear that the star was the intended victim.

Grant Cartwright, head of Cartwright Records, wants to keep his daughter-in-law (and his highest-earning performer) alive. So he hires his oldest son, black sheep of the family and private investigator Cooper Cartwright--who just happens to be Heather's "new" fiancE. Heather should leave the detecting to Cooper. But with a dorm full of hysterical mini-divas-in-training, she can't help but get involved. And after Tania shares a really shocking secret with her, "this" reality suddenly becomes more dangerously real than anyone ever anticipated.

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Review:

I have not read any of the previous books in the series so I was a little worried I would get feel like I was missing a lot of info. There were mentions of incidents from previous books and obviously my enjoyment of the story would have been enhanced had I read the other books, but ultimately I don't think it made a big difference. 

What I enjoyed most about this book is the main character Heather Wells' personality. She is warm, quick of wit, and comes across as approachable. She is also mind boggling forgiving to people  who have screwed her over. I think she and her fiance Cooper make a great couple. I got the feeling that the romance between them was a big part of at least one of the other books and I now I plan to read them because I would love to know how feelings developed between them. 

I had some issues with Tania Trace. I thought she was selfish and irresponsible. At times I did feel sorry for her but then I would go back to feeling kind of disgusted with her. I'm sure the author means for the readers to feel these things about her though. 

Overall, the story was just okay.  It almost come off a bit like a cozy mystery but toned down. Had there been more false leads, incidents, drama, etc. I think I would have enjoyed it a little more. The book wasn't bad but it wasn't incredible either, however, I was engrossed in it enough to finish it in one day and it was a fairly fun, light read.

3/5

*I received this book for review from the publisher. Any opinions expressed are my own.*

 

Review: Dark Time by Dakota Banks

 

Dark Time (Mortal Path #1) by Dakota Banks

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager; Original edition (July 28, 2009)

Goodreads Description:

 Three hundred years ago, she sold her soul to a demon. Now she wants it back.

For centuries, the woman calling herself Maliha Crayne has lived a second life - as an assassin for the malevolent creature who owns her soul. A haunted killer with the blood of countless victims on her hands, she has finally discovered a way to nullify the demonic pact that chains her: If she saves a life for every one she has taken, she will be free.

But if she fails, her punishments will be unspeakable, unendurable . . . and neverending.

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Review:

From the start this story captures my attention. There is no warming up period. It goes straight into how Maliha has come to become the woman she is now and quickly progresses to more and more action. The author does an excellent job of giving the reader enough background history on characters and events without revealing too much in the first book of the series. 

Maliha Crayne is a highly trained assassin who is trying to make amends for centuries of killing. If she succeeds she will be rewarded, if not she will suffer for eternity. Despite the consequences if she were to fail she attempts to balance the scales because she does not want to go on killing and tearing families apart and causing grief.

I don't want to say too much and give away too many details but I will say that this book is full of action, interesting characters, and just the barest touch of steaminess. If you enjoy urban fantasy you are sure to love this book. I've read this book multiple times now and find it just as thrilling to read as the first time I cracked this book open.

4.5/5

 

A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon 2012

If you would like to learn more about this challenge then check out The True Book Addict for info HERE

Mini Challenge #1:

Reading List:

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Hardcover, 320 pages

April 24th 2012 by HarperCollins Children's Books

Everything is in ruins.
A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.
So what does Araby Worth have to live for?
Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.
But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.
And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Havoc (Deviants #2) by Jeff Sampson
Hardcover, 1st Edition, 352 pages
January 24th 2012 by Balzer + Bray

Emily Webb thought life would return to normal after the death of the man who attacked her and her fellow “Deviants.” Or as normal as it could be, after discovering that she has nighttime superpowers . . . and she’s a werewolf. But when Emily awakes one night to find an otherworldy Shadowman watching her, she knows the danger has only just begun.
So Emily and her pack-mates set out to find the people who made them what they are, and why. But as they get closer to the truth, they realize they aren’t the only ones in town with special powers: The most popular girls in school might just have a secret of their own–and they might just have it out for Emily.
With shadowy beings stalking them, a mysterious company doing all it can to keep the truth hidden, and the secrecy of her new identity in jeopardy, life threatens to spiral out of control for Emily. Soon these dangers will come together in one terrifying confrontation that may force her to make the toughest choice of her life . . . so far.

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Paperback, 350 pages

July 26th 2011 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .

Review: New Girl by Paige Harbison

New Girl by Paige Harbison

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (January 31, 2012)

Goodreads Description:

They call me 'New Girl'... Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her. Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault. Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be. And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

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New Girl is a modern YA version of the classic book Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (which is one of my favorites). I've been hoping for some time now that an author would retell this story and when I came across this book I was excited to read it. My standards were set very high since Rebecca is a story I love and I was worried that I would be overly critical because of that and not enjoy the story. Although I felt the story could use some improvements here and there, overall I was impressed. There were many little details that really tied in to the original story so well. For example, one of the character's names is Dana Veers (a play on the original character's name, Mrs. Danvers). It took me a few chapters to really see a similarity in plot between the stories but it got there eventually and was really a great modernization of it with young adult characters.

There were only two problems I had with the story. The main issue for me was that the main character's name (the "new girl" Callie) is known and used throughout the story. In Rebecca the main character's name is unknown and the reason for that is meaningful. In New Girl I think that this should have been carried over. It could have easily been done. The only other problem I had was that the story skipped ahead so often. Sometimes months would be skipped and it just didn't feel seamless...it felt more like there were holes in the story.

The location and the characters make up for any faults I found with the story. A boarding school was the ideal location and Manderly Academy has an oppressive and slightly eerie atmosphere that is perfect for this book. Some of the characters were obvious match ups to characters in Rebecca and it was fun figuring out who was who and how their personalities compared. The main character was okay but for me it was all about the supporting characters. Dana was my favorite character in New Girl. She was obsessed, creepy, and crazy which made for some interesting reading. I loved how this story played out and I wish I could read more about the characters and what their lives are like after leaving Manderly Academy.

4/5

I received this for review from Netgalley. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Review: Spiral by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

Spiral (Tunnels #5) by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: The Chicken House (May 1, 2012)

Goodreads Description:

The 5th book in the Tunnels series. The Styx have surfaced. The only ones to stand in their way is Will and his friends, and a rag-bag team of retired commandos.
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Years ago when I first discovered this series it instantly became one of my faves and I eagerly anticipated each books release. Every book has been amazing, but when I received Spiral and dove into the story I felt like something was missing. This story definitely has a different feel to it than the others. It wasn't bad, the story was pretty interesting actually, but it just wasn't what I had anticipated.

If you have been reading this series you will know about the Styx and their evil plans. Spiral is an in depth look at HOW they plan on executing their plan to obtain their goal. Will and his cohorts must find a way to foil the Styx's plans. The most interesting thing about the story is learning more about the Styx...their history, physiology, etc. It is all very unexpected and extremely different from any thought I have had about them. That and the fact that the story almost exclusively takes place above ground is probably the reason why the tone of the book is so different from the others.

I will still be awaiting the next book but I will be keeping my fingers crossed that the focus will switch back to underground (although I have a feeling that won't be the case). Usually I buy the UK release because it comes out much sooner than in the US, but because of the direction Spiral took I will probably just hold out for the US release. I don't think I will be quite as eager for the next installment as I typically would have been. A lot of fans of the Tunnels series will probably share a similar view of the story with me, but just as I will continue reading this series, so will they. Not a bad story, but certainly does not exceed expectations.

3/5

I'm Back!!!

It has been a loooong time since I have posted and I apologize. Between the holidays and being out of town for a few weeks I just haven't really had the time (or motivation) to post. I'm back now and I would like to thank those of you who have stuck around. I'm going to get back on track and will hopefully be posting regularly. Thank you!