The Winking Witch Spooky Reads Challenge

Stories and Sweeties is hosting a challenge for the month of October. The goal is to read (and review) 3 spooky reads. It can be about ghosts, witches, vampires, etc.

For more information about this challenge head on over to Stories and Sweeties.

The books I plan on reading are:

1. Ghost Files by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson with Michael Jan Friedman
2. Ghost Trackers by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson with Tim Waggoner
3. Succubus Revealed by Richelle Mead

***UPDATE***
I my 3 spooky book goal! I will probably try to fit in another 1 or 2 books before the challenge ends though.

I still haven't decided on a 3rd title to read, so I will update this post once I do decide.

Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (October 18, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.
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Immediately after I finished reading The Scorpio Races I tried to describe it to someone and found that I just couldn't. This book is difficult to sum up. There were paranormal elements to it but I would hesitate to call it paranormal; there is a little bit of romance, but I definitely wouldn't call it romance. There is a bit of bleakness and desperation similar to the mood of dystopian but it can't be classified as dystopian. Although I can't categorize this book, I can definitely say that it is amazing.

The writing style of the author is very distinct. If you have read her Mercy Falls series you will definitely recognize it. But where I found it depressing and boring in her werewolf books I found it to have an almost musical or poetic quality in The Scorpio Races. It really fit well with the content and the atmosphere. Although I am not really a fan of the author's previous series I found myself intrigued by the very vague description of the book. I wanted to know what the Scorpio Races are. I am not a horse person. I don't like horse books and I don't like horse movies. You would think because of that I would have been deterred from reading this book, but no, I HAD to know what the Scorpio Races are. I am so very glad I gave this book a try. I wasn't sure what to expect but it blew me away. I've read a lot of books and I can honestly say that this book is now in the top 5 best books I have ever read in ANY genre. When I finished reading the book I was so excited about what I had just read. I also am so glad that this is a stand alone. It does not need a follow up. It is perfect the way it is.

I don't want to really write about what happens in the story because I think the vagueness of the book description helped me to enjoy the story. Basically, I liked that the whole plot wasn't given on the back of the book. I do however want to address the romance part of the story. Yes, this is a YA book and yes there is a romance. It isn't annoying though (something I find a lot of YA romances to be). The story's focus isn't really on that. In my opinion it is kind of in the background.

Who would this book be perfect for? I don't know. Everyone? This story can't be defined or categorized. Teenagers, adults, male, female...it doesn't really matter because this is something so many people will enjoy. Hopefully, most will read it and walk away with the same feelings as I did.

5/5

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

Review: Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (October 4, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction

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Let me start by saying that although I can understand the appeal this book will probably have for many people, it just wasn't for me. I was expecting something a little more unique but it pretty much followed the typical formula for YA. The instant love and devotion between Megan and Adam is what soured me the most on this book. I understand that there is some inexplicable connection between them but I feel like it was just a little too easy and convenient. The only thing that kept me from quitting the book was that at least there wasn't the standard love triangle in addition to the instant love thing. Since the author didn't throw that in there too I figured I should give it a chance.

I had a difficult time connecting with the characters. I didn't dislike them but I also didn't really care about what happened to them. Adam's brother was the most interesting character to me. His power is the most volatile so he has to really stay in control. An issue that I have with him though is that he starts off stand-offish and not easily trusting but then does a 180 and is extremely nice to Megan. I think the sudden change was too drastic and would have been much more believable had she earned his grudging respect or trust over the course of the story. Overall, I think the problem I had with the story was that everything happened so quickly and easily...not enough distrust and disbelief.

Many people who enjoy paranormal YA will probably enjoy this book. I'm feeling a bit burnt out on this type of story at the moment because it is beginning to feel stale and easily predictable. That has most likely colored my opinion of this book some. It is what it is though and at the moment I am just not into this story. I haven't written this series totally off though, and would read the second book in the series when it releases to give it another chance.

2/5

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

Review: The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter

The Darkest Surrender (Lords of the Underworld #8) by Gena Showalter

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books (September 27, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain. For him, nothing stands in the way of victory. Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor's edge of surrender.Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die. Strider is a distraction she can't afford because he has an agenda of his own-steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named. But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter-the love neither had thought possible...
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As expected this book was is an excellent addition to the Lords of the Underworld series that I love. Book number 8 and still going strong. I'm sure it can be a difficult task for an author to keep a series fresh and exciting for so long but Gena Showalter has not disappointed.

This is Strider's story, and his union with Kaia feels long in the making. When the Skyhawk harpy sisters were introduced to this series I was instantly enthralled. They are spitfires and fun to read about. Kaia has been the most interesting to me so I was glad to finally read her story. Strider wasn't one of the Lords I was absolutely dying to read right away until I got a taste of what was to come in the last book, The Darkest Lie. His story is now one of my favorites.

Kaia has had a thing for Strider for awhile but he has been pushing her away because right before they met she had slept with Paris and he didn't want to be compared to him in bed. Strider's demon is Defeat, so if he can't pleasure Kaia more than Paris did then he will feel excruciating pain for not "winning." Obviously this sets up a major roadblock for any kind of relationship for them. Not to mention trust doesn't really come easily for either of them. However, when the Harpy Games are resurrected and Kaia is in danger Strider is there for her. They face a lot of conflict, but it is those types of situations that seem to bring the Lords and their women together. The brutally violent Harpy Games makes for a thrilling setting. Harpies are fierce and value that ferocity and strength greatly which was something I already knew but was reinforced by reading about the games. I hope to read about more of the harpies in future installments of the series.

5/5

I received a copy of this book for review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

The next book in the series, The Darkest Seduction is the very much anticipated story about Paris, the Keeper of Promiscuity. This is my favorite book cover in the series so far:

Book Review: Alterant by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love

Alterant (Belador #2) by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star (September 27, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love comes the second book in the Belador series—featuring a league of international warriors with extraordinary abilities who rise up to save mankind from supernatural terrorists.

On the heels of saving mankind from destruction at the hands of the Medb coven, Evalle attempts to convince the Tribunal that she is an Alterant who can be trusted around humans. But the gods and goddess ruling over this Tribunal twist words she’d uttered in the heat of combat and hold her responsible for three dangerous Alterants that escaped their prisons. She is given a choice to either recapture those three who will lose their freedom forever or face the same sentence. Unsure that she can condemn another Alterant to a life she’d die before accepting, Evalle takes on an impossible task only to learn that the entire future of the Beladors rides on her success—and the only person who can help her is the one who wants to gut her.

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For those of you who read the first book in the Belador series, Blood Trinity, you will not be disappointed. The story picks up where the last one left off so just to be sure I didn't miss out on anything I reread Blood Trinity right before I started Alterant...a wise decision in my opinion as so much that happens in this story is related to what happened prior. I probably would've been a little lost had I not refreshed my memory.

I really enjoyed the direction the story took with Evalle basically trying to defend her race and prove that they aren't just a bunch of animals. The gods have charged her with the task of bringing in Alterants. She is in a race against time to save herself and others like her. The identity of the person who Evalle has to seek help from shouldn't have surprised me but it did. I'm glad that I was able to see another side to this person who I really didn't like in the first book.

While Evalle is handling her business, Quinn and Tzader have to deal with their own problems...many of them involving the opposite sex. I felt like I missed them in this story.They definitely had their roles to play but it felt more like they were in the background. In the end I am worried for them both as their issues are not really resolved yet. Hopefully everything will work out for them in the next book.

Storm is present in the story which made me very happy. He is so mysterious and not much is really known about him. Thankfully, some of his past is revealed so we can get a better understanding of him and his motives. Although this isn't a romance novel (which I am totally fine with), I still can't help but want a little bit of romance thrown into the mix. Watching what unfolds between him and Evalle reveals even more about Storm's character. He is caring, gentle, and very aware yet at the same time he strong, hard, and dangerous.

5/5

I received a copy of this book for review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Contest Craze Mini-Challenge #4

Scariest Word

This challenge is hosted at The Non Reluctant Reader

How it works:

• Grab a book you're currently reading)
• Go to the 13th Chapter
• Scan the chapter for the scariest word
• Using Google/Yahoo images randomly pick on picture that comes up when you search the word
• Write a blog post that has the book's cover, title, your word and your image

Here is mine:
The Pearl Wars by Nick James

My word: WAR

Contest Craze Mini-Challenge #3

One True Pairing

This challenge is being hosted at My Cute Bookshelf

The objective of this challenge is to create a blog post with your One True Pairing (your favorite couple from young adult books) and explain why they’re your favorite YA couple.

My pick:

I picked this couple because their relationship grew out of respect and not instant attraction based on looks. There was a realness to it. They are smart, strong, and brave as individuals and even more so together. This couple is absolutely one of my favorites.

As for my "casting" choices I think that Saoirse Ronan is almost exactly how I pictured Tris in my mind. Logan Lerman doesn't have quite enough of a tough edge but I think that could be taken care of with hitting the gym to muscle up a little. Other than that I think he would be great.