Review: Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires, #1) by Rachel Caine
Publisher: Penguin Austtalia
Publication date: May 26th, 2008
Number of pages: 348 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

From the author of the popular Weather Warden series comes the debut of an exciting new series set in Morganville, Texas, where you would be well advised to avoid being out after dark.

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood. Will she be able to face the town's terror or will she drown like everyone else?

In the first novel of Rachel Caine's YA series comes, Glass Houses it begin sixteen year old, college freshman, Claire Davers. After having graduated early from high school and because her parents wouldn't let her move too far away from home at such a young age, Claire starts at the university in Morganville, Texas.
But this town, and this college is much different than everywhere else in the country. This town is populated and run by vampires.
Yes. Believe or not. It's true.
Claire hasn't had the best experience in Morganville.She gets beat up by the Queen B. The bitchy girl of the school and fears for her life if she comes back.
Everything starts to change when she moves into an off campus house with two guys and a girl who begin to help her see the town differently than she ever felt possible.

This was a really great start to the series. There was lots of action, a potential romance, or two and a mystery which you want to know more of.

The characters: Claire. While she might just think she was some small, innocent and naive young teenager who is over her head, and while in the beginning you might be right. But as the book gears toward the end, Claire becomes such a strong young woman who will go deep into trouble if it means doing what is right.
She adores her friends and will do anything to them, and won't back down to her enemies even if it means it could end up costing her life.

Shane, Michael and Eve: Who doesn't love these three? I loved Shane right away, and his growing friendship/relationship with Claire. I love the progress these two had. While we might have thought his concern over her was just to do with his sister and being protective of her like that, but the more they got to know each other.. things changed, into something else.
Michael and Eve. Such great characters, and while we don't see them as much as we might have liked, it's enough to come to adore them. Michael has a secret that he is keeping from them all, and Eve.. for a goth chic who is an outsider in the town, she is not afraid of anything.. or almost anything.

The villians.. end up not being who you might think. I love the mystery and intrigue in the book and really looking forward to book 2, especially on the cliffhanger at the end.

Rating: 5/5

 

Review: Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin

Becoming Alpha (Alpha Girl, #1) by Aileen Erin
Publisher: Ink Monster,
Publication date: December 17th, 2013
Number of pages: 267 pgs
Format: E-Galley
Purchase: Amazon Kindle

Tessa McCaide has a unique talent for getting into trouble. Then again, it isn’t easy for a girl with visions to ignore what she sees. Luckily Tessa and her family are leaving California and moving halfway across the country, giving her the perfect opportunity to leave her reputation as “Freaky Tessa” behind.

But Tessa doesn’t realize that kissing the wrong guy in her new Texas town could land her in far more trouble than she ever imagined. Like being forced to attend St. Ailbe’s Academy, a secret boarding school for werewolves.

Even if the wrong guy did accidentally turn her into one of “them” and doom her to attending the weirdest high school ever, Tessa can’t help her growing attraction to the mysterious Dastien Laurent.

When vampires attack St. Alibe’s and her visions pinpoint an enemy in their midst, Tessa realizes that boy drama and her newfound canine tendencies might just be the least of her problems

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for allowing me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's not often you can find originality in a YA paranormal series. I knew by the synopsis that this book sounded interesting, and I couldn't wait to see how it separated itself from everything else out there.
I was pleasantly surprised. While it could be a little predictable, but I liked that it had it's own original story. I really liked the characters, Tessa in particular and the things they went through.

After Tessa was 'attacked' after meeting a sexy new guy, she doesn't think very much about the scratches she pertained, not until later when her body starts to go through some changes. Ones that are very painful. She has no idea what is happening to her, but her parents do, and there is only one answer.
After her dad's boss/friend recognizes the signs and knows he did this, he takes Tessa in to his school to be able to amongst her own kind. It's the only thing possible to do before she can be around others without hurting them. Yes --- Tessa is being changed into a werewolf. It's not something she wanted, but it is done and she can only accept it and make the best out of the situation.

I didn't like Dastien at first, but the more we saw of him, and the consequences of one moment, I think you can understand him a bit.  I ended up adoring his relationship with Tessa. It's not an easy one, but the wait for them to get to the right space was glorious to read about. They really were perfect for one another. Sure, things didn't start as well, and they didn't start off on the right foot, but I felt he made up for his past descretions. Sometimes you just can't fight fate. Things happen for a reason, and there is a reason his heart chose her.

The other characters were fun and interesting. I look forward to see where the author goes with this series. I will be looking forward to the next book, and see how Tessa is handling her wolf, friends and her relationship.

A real fun, interesting take on the were genre. If you are a fan, then this book is definitely for you. It's not to be missed.

4.5 Stars

Review: Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones

Fifth Grave Past the Light (Charley Davidson, #5) by Darynda Jones
Publisher: Piatkus
Publication date: July 9th, 2013
Number of pages: 339 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | The Book Depository

Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. As he is the main suspect in her arson case, she has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth.

However, when dead women start appearing in her apartment—lost, confused and terrified beyond reason—Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes' help, especially when it becomes apparent that her own sister, Gemma, is the serial killer's next target. With his ability to observe incorporeally, surely he can find out who's responsible. And even if he can't, he is the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return: Charley. All of her—body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she might be willing to pay...

There are times when I can't believe I hadn't read this series sooner. This is far becoming one of my favourites in Urban Fantasy. Darynda can do it all. From hot and sexy. To humorous fun and interesting cases. This is definitely one that needs to be read by everyone interested in this genre.

With book five under the belt, I can honestly say this has been my favourite thus far, and that goes to saying something as the last few books have been amazing. The stakes have been raised, the cases have been intriging, but most of all, the relationship between Charley and Reyes have progressed to a point of no return.
Reyes is full of flaws, is a complicated man, but loved with his whole heart. Charley is the one who has made him heart and soul ever since the beginning. Reyes is the only man for Charley, no matter what she might have told herself from time to time. They will come to a stand-still, a never-ending point where they cannot go back, only forward.  That time is now...

It's about time things have started to happen with our favourite couple. It has been a slow burn over the past four books, but that all has changed with this newest installment. Things have always been hot, heated and steamy  where it concerns these two, but there was never a real push in the right direction. Things have changed --   ever since Reyes became Charley's new neighbour, he has made his intentions clear to her.  He wants her, body and soul, and there isn't anything he isn't willing to do to claim her as his.  The thing is though, she has always been his, and he hers. It just has taken them a while to admit certain things, because they sure have not been easy.

Charley and Reyes as individuals have grown from strength to strength. They have had their own personal journeys they have been on, but those journeys have lead them to one another. It's where they are supposed to be, if they can make things work, that will be the end of it. The start of a new life.. together.
Charley is at first a little hesitant, but of course, nobody can ever rest Reyes for very long.  Minus that, her newest case keeps her busy especially when her sister becomes the possible next victim, and she'll need Reyes help in locating the person responsible. But by him helping her, he'll need only one thing...

If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy and have not yet been introduced to these books, then what are you waiting for?  This is a series you should not be missing out for a second.
I look forward to the sixth installment. BRING IT ON.

5 Stars

Review: Fractured by Teri Terry

Fractured (Slated, #2) by Teri Terry
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication date: April 4th, 2013
Number of pages: 432 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

How do you know where to go when you don't remember where you came from?

Kyla's memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

Or so she thought.

Kyla shouldn't be able to remember anything. But she can - and she's beginning to realise that there are a lot of dark secrets locked away in her memories. When a mysterious man from her past comes back into her life, she thinks she's on her way to finding the truth. But the more she learns about her history, the more confusing her future becomes...

In the sequel to Slated, Fractured is just as thrilling, if not more so than its predecessor. Kyla's memories begin to come back bit by bit and she will have to find a common ground from who she was to who she is now, given everything she knows and what she has been through to get to this point.
I've always felt a lot of first books are an intro to a series, and so it's understandable why there wasn't a ton of action that happened in Slated, but that changes come to this book. Kyla knows so much more than what she did, is not as blind to information than she once was, and it helps her as she journeys through this next arc of a story.

Not only is this about Kyla discovering more about who she is and the things she did, the role she played throughout the last few years, but she is determined to find her love, Ben who was taken and slated before she has had the chance to get to him. She'll need to find and help him remember who he is, and who she is.. That is a not an easy task to be achieved and she'll need the help of others if she wants to pull this off.

Teri has a way of world building that makes you want to read and read to discover every little bit of information she has to offer. Her characters in this series are compelling, full of depth and understanding. The world she brings us into this crazy world and it makes you feel like in another universe, it could be our world instead. It's close to home with realistic concepts. I am always fascinated by the things that go on, the things we discover and characters we meet.

This was another great installment. I look forward to the final conclusion coming 2014.

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: Chosen at Nightfall by C.C Hunter

Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5) by C.C Hunter
Publisher: St Martins Press
Publication date: April 23rd, 2013
Number of pages: 400 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Kylie Galen's life hasn't been the same since her world was turned upside-down in Born at Midnight, Shadow Falls #1, and now an epic conclusion to her journey—not to mention a tough choice between two guys!—is brewing in Chosen at Nightfall:

When Kylie Galen left Shadow Falls, she thought it was the hardest decision of her life. Heartbroken and separated from everyone she loves, she has to embrace her abilities and what it means to be a chameleon. But as Kylie's journey comes to a close, she must return to the camp that started it all...and she must finally chose between the two boys who love her. The werewolf who broke her heart when he chose his pack over her, and the half-fae who ran from their intense attraction before they ever really had a chance. For Kylie, everything will finally be revealed and nothing will ever be the same.

It's a shame I have to do a review like this considering how much I adored the first four books. I had such high hopes for the finale and thought I knew how it would end, but I was unfortunately, very much mistaken.
A part of me wishes I hadn't read this book, and to me, it ended with the end of book 4. SIGH. Some things just aren't always the way you know they should go, that authors don't always share the same opinion as us, and in this case it seems to be the very matter.

In the final book to Kylie's story at Shadow Falls, are taken back into her life as she spends some time away from the camp. She soon discovers she is safer at Shadow Falls than she is anywhere else.
The story picks up just a few weeks after she has left the camp and finds herself in a place amongst her own kind. She discover things about what she is and what it means, and how everything all works. When Kylie sees a ghost (of course)who tells her that she has to kill him or she'll be killed. Not many options here.

Burnett and co soon turn up warning her of Mario who may know her location and that she has to come back to the camp where is the only place she can be safe, so off she goes, unknowing what or whom she will awaiting her there.

There wasn't many things I liked about this book. Derek. Burnett and Holiday. Kylie frustrated me to no end. I understand and sometimes feel sorry for her; she doesn't have the easiest life and so many problems being thrown at her, but she makes a very bad decision and one that makes no sense.
April and I were sure who Kylie would choose especially after the end of the previous book, but it's like everything that happened.. never happened and nothing made sense. There was no excusing the events that transpired prior to this, and imo, the choice should have been an easy one. But I felt like she never gave one boy a real chance and gave up way too quickly.
The other one though, I never liked. Or sometimes I did, and then he would go and do something do douche that made me dislike him once again. Every ounce of common sense that Kylie once had must have been slapped out of her --  or, I don't know.. Its the only thing that makes sense to me as to her stupid choice she makes. I literally felt sick after reading this book.
What is this meant to show the readers? That it's OKAY to choose someone who hurts you time and time again, who chooses to commit to something and be a coward? I'm clueless.  

While everyone seems to get their happy ending, and I'm glad that Derek ended up with his own happy ending, it also felt contrived and put there because of Kylie's choice. It's like.. okay, let's put him with someone so he doesn't mope around.
His happiness was all I cared for at this point, and I guess I was happy enough that in the end he did get what he deserves.

I was very disappointed in the way this book turned out, and sadly, it's put me off on reading the spinoff. I just can't do it.

Rating: 2.5/5

Review: Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

Shades of Earth (Across the Universe, #3) by Beth Revis
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: May 2nd, 2013
Number of pages: 369pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience. But this new Earth isn't the paradise that Amy had been hoping for. Amy and Elder must race to uncover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. But each new discovery brings more danger. And if their colony collapses then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been meaningless..

It's a shame that when the first few books in a series have been great but then get let down by its conclusion. This is what happened here. I had to wait extra longer for the book to be released in Australia, so I had all these hopes. When I did get around to reading it it didn't feel like the same story I had been reading.

I understand how things were different because of the different surroundings, but I was was not impressed. People weren't who I thought they would be, there was contrived plots and it was poorly delivered. I expected much better from Beth Revis.
I was a big fan of the romance between Amy and Elder, even though I knew they were gonna have their happy ending, but in the way it happened, I didn't like.
I'm disappointed and wish things could have been different, but I guess you can't always get what you want.

In this installment, Amy and co find themselves right next to Centauri Earth and have to decide whether or not they should take the risk in landing and making it their home. Not everyone agrees, but those that do hop on their way to explore the new planet.
Soon they discover that they aren't alone, and it brings more danger than they ever anticipated. Amy isn't alone either when her parents slowly wake up and she is reunited with them, to discover she may not know her parents like she thought she did. She basically was blind when it came to why they were there, what their mission was and their intentions.

I would still recommend this series no matter if this book disappointed me. It did have its good parts, even with the bad, so I guess it was not a total waste of my time.
Everything ended up the way it was supposed to, I guess, though sometimes it's not how you envisioned it to end up.

I'd like to say Ciao to this trilogy, I'll always cherish it as the series that got me into YA sci fi and for that I'm greatful.

Rating: 3/5

Review: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

A Millions Suns (Across the Universe, #2) by Beth Revis
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication date: April 5th, 2012
Number of pages: 386 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Trapped on board the spaceship Godspeed, Amy trusts no-one.

The ship's ruler is dead and a rebellion threatens. Amy wants to help Elder as he tries to take charge, but she's torn between her feelings for him and the chaos that's pulling everything apart. As more harrowing discoveries are made about Godspeed, Amy is caught in a desperate race to unravel its secrets. Only one thing is certain.

They have to get off this ship.

I believe this was one of the most talked about, anticipated books of 2012. Ever since Beth came out with ATU, the fans have been hungry for more, myself included.
I'm not big on sci/fi, but this series really sucked me in, which is hard to do for a genre like this.
I was surprised at how much I liked the first book and by the end I could not wait until book 2.
The book isn't even out in Australia yet, so I decided to get myself a copy for my kindle. I decided I had enough waiting and it was time to check out the book everyone was talking about.

A Million Suns picks up about 2 months after the end of ATU. Elder is the leader of the ship as he tries to discover and be the leader he is meant to be, but finds that things are easy said than done in this case.
He is trying his best, but it doesn't always come across that way. There are angry people and who start to rebel against him.

When Amy starts to receive clues left by Orion, she starts to wonder if there is something going on that nobody knows about.

I think I hated him less in this book, as we got to understand the reasons for what he did. It was an interesting plot within the story, and I was wondering what it was leading to. When it got discovered... that he knew something so jawdropping.. I didn't know how to react. But I came to understand him a little better.

I might like Amy and Elder's sweet relationship, but my favourite relationship in this series, is.. well we haven't seen much of it, but is her relationship with her parents. The fact that Amy went with them on the ship because she didn't want to be apart from them tore at my heart strings. I can't wait to see them wake up so she can talk to them and be with them again.

Rating: 5/5

Review: Acid by Emma Pass

Acid by Emma Pass
Publisher: Corgi Children's Books
Publication date: April 25th, 2013
Number of pages: 431 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon (Kindle) | The book Depository

The year is 2113. In Jenna Strong's world, ACID—the most brutal controlling police force in history—rule supreme. No throwaway comment or whispered dissent goes unnoticed—or unpunished. And it was ACID agents who locked Jenna away for life, for a horrendous crime she struggles to remember. But Jenna's violent prison time has taught her how to survive by any means necessary.

When a mysterious rebel group breaks her out, she must use her strength, speed, and skill to stay one step ahead of ACID, and try to uncover the truth about what really happened on that terrible night two years ago. They have taken her life, her freedom, and her true memories away from her. How can she reclaim anything when she doesn't know who to trust?

It's the year 2113 and Jenna Strong's world comes crushing down when she is accused and sent to prison for the deaths of her parents. In a world where ACID, the horrific controlling police force leaves no crime unpunished.
At fifteen years of age, Jenna is sent to an all MALE prison where she would serve her sentence for her parent's murders and she has survived the best she could; by becoming a strong survivor and not letting anyone mess her around. This is something she comes to learn over time.

One day, she gets drugged and taken out of the prison, minus a sacrificial death having no idea why or where she is being taken.
She is then given a new identity to save her life. But like her life prior that, not everything goes to plan.
I loved Jenna so much. She was forced to grow stronger because anything else she just becomes a victim. She becomes someone even the men are afraid of. They won't ever attempt to touch her again, otherwise she'd break their legs --  or worse. I think she figures better to stand up for herself otherwise she won't survive any longer in a place such as that.
Even with each life, she may become someone else with a new identity and memories, but deep down she'll always be Jenna Strong.

In her new life, when Jenna meets Max, the son of the doctor who died for her, she has to keep quiet especially when Jenna Strong has been accused for his father's death.
I loved the relationship between Jenna and Max. He may not know who she really is, but he knows her and knowing her name wouldn't change that.
The things these two go through sometimes broke my heart. Max is someone I felt for deeply because of everything he has been through. His family has been ruined, he just does not understand why or the true person responsible.

This might have been a stand alone book, but I felt there could have been room for more. The end was definitely satisfying. We got the answers we yearned for, though some questions might have been left opened.
I'm definitely a fan of Emma Pass. I'm glad I got the chance to read this book. It was dark, full of mystery, rebellion, romance and self discovery.

Rating: 5/5

Review: Unremembered by Jessica Brody

Unremembered  (Unremembered, #1) by Jessica Brody
Publisher: Macmillan Childrens Books
Publication date: February 28th, 2013
Number of pages: 303 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

A catastrophic plan crash leaves one survivor: a girl with no memory.

Who is she?

Where does she come from?

Nobody knows and no one comes forward to claim her.

Haunted by a looming threat she can't remember and plagued by abilities she doesn't understand, she struggles to recall who she is. But every clue leads to more questions. And she's running out of time to answer them.

Her only hope is a boy who claims they were once in love.

Alone and on the run, who should she trust? And what if she discovers that she is safer with a past that stays unremembered?

I'd have been looking forward to this book ever since I saw the description, minus how brief it might have been at the time at Goodreads. A year or two later the book finally comes out and of course I was anxious to read it.

I found the plot of this story interesting, and while it might not have been what I thought it was, I quite throughly enjoyed it through and through.
Jessica Brody sure knows how to entertain and hook a reader in. With interesting characters, a unique plot and a mystery to boot.

This story we find ourselves in Sera's world when she wakes up after a plane crash to be the lone survivor and having no memory whatsoever from her past, or who she is.
Since she has no living relatives and they can't find any family to speak of, Sera is then put into foster care with a nice family who she ends up liking and caring about.  Sera also knows she has the get to the bottom of who she is, where she came from and how she came to be at the site of the plane crash.
Sera, I found was quite a likable character.  This story deals with memory loss and how one goes about it. I can't imagine what it would be like myself, but it's sure an interesting theme to deal with and one that happens in everyday life.

Sera finds out some shocking and interesting things about her life, and of course there is a romance involved. Pretty much we meet the love interest right away before she even leaves the hospital. Zen is someone I liked, and so did Sera. He couldn't understand why she couldn't remember anything about her life... and that was an indication that he knew her from her previous life, who she was before.
But the question is.. how? and what exactly had happened to her to get to this state in which she does not remember a thing.
Zen turns out to be more than a love interest. He has a role in this mystery of hers more so than you would ever suspect. It was interesting in learning the events just as Sera did.

This is an intriguing story of love, self discovery, family and secrets.  It has it's flaws, as everything does, but overall, It was quite entertaining story and I was glad to have experienced it.
I look forward to where this story goes from here next. It sets up for some new and interesting plots.

Rating:  4/5

Review: Quicksilver by R.J Anderson

Quicksilver (Ultraviolet, #2) by R.J Anderson
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication date: May 2nd, 2013
Number of pages: 376pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Back in her hometown, Tori Beaugrand had everything a teenaged girl could want—popularity, money, beauty. But she also had a secret. A secret that could change her life in an instant, or destroy it.

Now she’s left everything from her old life behind, including her real name and Alison, the one friend who truly understood her. She can’t escape who and what she is. But if she wants to have anything like a normal life, she has to blend in and hide her unusual... talents.

Plans change when the enigmatic Sebastian Faraday reappears and gives Tori some bad news: she hasn’t escaped her past. In fact, she’s attracted new interest in the form of an obsessed ex-cop turned investigator for a genetics lab.

She has one last shot at getting her enemies off her trail and winning the security and independence she’s always longed for. But saving herself will take every ounce of Tori’s incredible electronics and engineering skills—and even then, she may need to sacrifice more than she could possibly imagine if she wants to be free.

A couple of years ago Ultraviolet came out and It was one of he best books I had read that year. It had everything.. from mystery to romance, with shocks and twists. The ending, while felt satisfying, but also left with quite the cliffhanger, so you knew there was more story to tell. I waited for that story...

Until now...
This is Tori's story.

In book one, we discovered Allison's story and what happened to her. Tori seemed to be more of a mystery waiting to be discovered. In Quicksilver, we follow her as she and her parents leave town and find a new life for themselves. To try to escape those wanting to track Tori down.
Tori settles in her new life with a new name and identity, and everything seems to be running smoothly, that is until the moment that changes the course of one event, and she isn't alone. Somebody knows her secret.

Not too soon later, Allison finds herself with a surprise vistor: a shock from her past in the name of Sebastian Faraday. He is someone who she probably wished she would never see again, yet also glad she did.  Although, from that point forward, Allison finds herself in a situation and a journey to which she thought she left behind.  But no... her past has caught up to her, and it won't stop until something is done about it.

Awhile, I admit, Ultraviolet was a more mystery, freaky and fast paced, Quicksilver is a little bit different.  It was still enjoyable in its own right since Tori is not Allison, we can't expect things to be in the same capacity.

I found myself really liking Allison, and her love interest. I adored Sebastian from the beginning, and we see much more of him in this sequel. Interesting things come to light, shocking events take place and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

It was nice to see the pieces fit together. Things get resolved, and a happy ending in sight.  This was a great continuation of the book I loved. I was glad to be back in that world because it's different from anything else I had read.

I now officially feel content and satisfied with how things turned out.

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: Slated by Teri Terry

Slated (Slated, #1) by Teri Terry
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication date: May 3rd, 2012
Number of pages: 448 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Kyla’s memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

Somewhere in the future, a Dystopian world, there are officers that punish criminals. If you are under the age of 16, you are Slated, which means your memory is wiped and you have no memories of the person you were, only who you are today. This is their version of a second chance at a new life. To do something better than you did previously.

Kyla wakes up to a new life.  She doesn't know what she did to get Slated, but she doesn't question it right away because she is lucky to be given this chance.
With her new family, Kyla tries to form some sort of normal life as she adjusts to everything and new people.
Each Slated has a wrist-attached Levo, which controls their emotions and moods, just to monitor them just in case they experience violet outbursts. In that case that does happen, they will be rendered unconscious.  This Levo makes sure each Slated is turned into the perfect citizen, as to not hurt themselves or anyone else in the community.

I found this world built by Terry quite interesting and definitely plausable. It's set in England where the government has been taken over by the coalition. I could definitely see this as a realistic thing and I could see myself in a world such as this, as I know how horrible the  coalition can be... they are dirty bastards who only think about control and power -- yes, I'm more of a Labour supporter, even though I am not much into politics.
Every time Kyla had a blast from the Levo, I can only just imagine how much pain that would feel like. There are some freaky moments where  I could feel myself in her position and it's utterly terrifying.  I'm not sure how I would go about things if I was in her situation.

Kyla is a strong girl who goes from keeping her mouth shut and playing with the rules they have set for her, to someone who keeps asking too many questions and finding herself involved in the conspiracy of this world and the Slated.

Now lets get to the romance... there is always one, and well, I could somewhat understand it, and felt it at times, I think it could have been written better.  I didn't connect with Ben as much as I wish I could have. Maybe the next book will be better in terms of their relationship.  But they did have their moments that I felt was sweet, and I'd like to know more about him and their relationship.  I suppose that was the one thing that could have been improved.

Other than that, I quite enjoyed the book.  I have bought the second book... just have to get around to reading it  --  this is what happens when I own too many books.

Rating:  4/5

Review: Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach

Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Publication date: July 4th, 2013
Number of pages: 320 pgs
Format: Trade Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository | Bookworld Australia

A chilling and intense first novel, this is the story of a solitary young woman drawn into an online world run by a charismatic web guru who entices her into impersonating a glamorous but desperate woman.

When Leila discovers the website Red Pill, she feels she has finally found people who understand her. A sheltered young woman raised by her mother, Leila has often struggled to connect with the girls at school; but on Red Pill, a chat forum for ethical debate, Leila comes into her own, impressing the website's founder, a brilliant and elusive man named Adrian. Leila is thrilled when Adrian asks to meet her, and is flattered when he invites her to be part of "Project Tess."

Tess is a woman Leila might never have met in real life. She is beautiful, urbane, witty, and damaged. As they email, chat, and Skype, Leila becomes enveloped in the world of Tess, learning every single thing she can about this other woman--because soon, Leila will have to become her.

An ingeniously plotted novel of stolen identity, Kiss Me First is brilliantly frightening about the lies we tell--to ourselves, and to others, for good, and for ill.

A big thank you to Pan Macmillan giving me this chance to read and review this riveting tale. The moment I saw the synopsis of it, I knew I wanted to read this.
Something that was different from my usual genres. Something that was a woman's journey, real, honest and exciting adventure.

This is a unique story of mystery, intrigue, love, tragedy and friendships. From an Australian author comes a story which I was enticed by before I had even read it.
It all comes down to the life of a young woman, Leila. She had an ordinary life, but after the death of her mother, Leila suddenly finds comfort in a philosophical website forum in which she can talk to others about the same kind of views as she.  Quickly, she became closely acquainted with the owner of the website, Adrian.
Leila becomes involved in a deep and secret project organised by Adrian called "Project Tess," this is one thing that will change her life forever, make her question everything, but also will open up so much opportunity for her.

As Leila gets to know and understand Tess, she becomes her friend, her confidant and only person who knows and understands what she is going through. But is Tess telling Leila everything she needs to know? Everything is vital for when the time comes when Leila is to become Tess. As Leila gets involved with Tess's life and world, Leila starts to notice not everything matches up... is there a possibility that not everything as it seems, and Tess is holding back more than she should?

This book surprised me.  I wasn't sure what I would think of it, but I loved it.  From the different characters, to the world that Leila was drawn into.  It was part mystery, part thriller.

Rating: 4/5

Review: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Hysteria by Megan Miranda
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Publication date: February 14th, 2013
Number of pages: 352 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository | Bookworld Aus

Mallory's life is falling apart.

Her boyfriend was stabbed. He bled to death in her kitchen. Mallory was the one who stabbed him. But she can't remember what happened that night. She only remembers the fear...

When Mallory's parents send her away to a boarding school, she thinks she can escape the gossip and the threats. But someone, or something, has followed her. There's the hand that touches her shoulder when she's drifting off to sleep. A voice whispering her name. And everyone knows what happened. So when a pupil is found dead, Mallory's name is on their lips.

Her past can be forgotten but it's never gone. Can Mallory live with that?

This was my first book by Megan Miranda. I had heard about this for ages before I actually bought it. I was glad I did. While this may be a contemporary book, I fell into the world which Megan created. I loved the mystery to it. That's what draws me in when it comes to contemporary books. They need to have some sort of twist or mystery to the story to make it extra compelling..

Mallory's life couldn't get any worse. Her boyfriend was killed in her kitchen and she was a witness. The thing is.... she can't remember the events of it, or what happened at that moment. She doesn't know if she was the one who killed him or whether it was someone else and she just happened to be there at the time.
Soon after the funeral, Mallory's parents send her away to boarding school to get away from it all, to give her a new start. But things aren't as easy as that.
Just when she thinks she might be able to be happy --- someone ends up dead and the evidence points to one person. Her.

Mallory feels like there is someone watching her. Something has followed her to her new life and can't stand of her moving on.
Who is it, and what do they want?
She knows she needs to put this whole mess behind her. But when her past keeps being brought into the present, it's hard to go forward.

This was a pretty impressive book. There was plenty of action, mystery and some romance.  I loved the flashbacks we got to understand how everything came to be.
There was twists and turns. Unexpected things happen, and people turn out to be not who you thought they were.

All in all, an action-packed story that I was glad I decided to pick up. I wouldn't mind reading other things by this author in the future. A great read indeed.

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: Sever (The Chemical Garden, #3) by Lauren DeStefano

Sever (The Chemical Garden, #3) by Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication date: February 12th, 2013
Number of pages: 371 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository |

With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.

In the finale of Lauren DeStefano's Chemical Garden trilogy, the answers to all the questions that lie around become answered, and this is the end of a fantastic story.

I loved Wither -- the first book in this trilogy, I wasn't very impressed by fever -- the second, but Server, which is the final installment in this story brings back the love I had for the series moreso than ever before.
This is not a romance story. This is about survival, family and freedom. About finding the answers that one seeks.

Lauren has built such a unique and strong story, with great characters who have always been on a life-time limit in regards to how long they live. 
I loved or hated pretty much every single character. From Rhine to Linden, Cecily, Gabriel and even Vaughn.  Good or bad, the fact these characters had an impact at one point or another just goes to show that Lauren has created a story we all can find ourselves in.

In this conclusive finale, Rhine decides to track down her brother, Rowan, who she discovers some things about him and what he is doing that will blow her mind. But getting involved with the things he is involved in, she also finds herself deep in an underground research project to find out the cure to this horrible life-altering disease.
Secrets will get revealed. Truths come to light, and Rhine just may be the very key to solving everything she thought was impossible.

The relationship between Rhine and Linden come to a natural end, but in a way that is not heartbreaking, but satisfying. Linden himself becomes such a stronger character in this book, for which I was proud of him for. He realizes who his father really is, and develops a backbone with his eyes wide open.

We don't see Gabriel very much, and I'm not too sad about that because I never really connected to him in the first place.
I was thankful that he and Rhine didn't really end up together. Their whole relationship was pretty much explained. And it made much more sense then them having some kind of happy ending, which I am not sure if I could have stomached after all that transpired.

This was a much better book than the previous one, with twists and turns. Heartbreak and revelations. We got the answers we longed for. The answers that needed to be said, and we finally understood the reason for the series title.

A great end, yet bittersweet to a great and unique trilogy.

Review:  4/5

Review: Prized (Birthmarked #2) by Caragh O'Brien

Prized (Birthmarked, #2) by Caragh O'Brien
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication date: November 8th, 2011
Number of pages: 365pgs
Format: Hardcover
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

In this second installment, the story picks up pretty much right away with Gaia travelling over to the dead forest with her newborn baby sister. Since she is all her sister has in the world now, Gaia tries her best to keep her alive, but thigs seem to look grim.
Whena Gaia encounters a man and he takes her to his village, she thinks they will help her butm it's probably not the sort of help she had encountered on.
In exchange for them keeping her sister alive.. Gaia might have to make a promise and a choice that will affect their lives forever.
In this new town, Sylum there was different rules and laws that everyone must obey against otherwise there will be conseqences.

When people are mysteriously dying upon leaving the town, Gaia and her new group of friends try to figure out the cause of it and try to find some way around it. That's not the only mystery that is surrounding the town.
People keep having babies and only few are girls. Is this just bad luck, or is there something more to it? What Gaia discovers might be truly horrifying and unexplainable.

But Gaia isn't the only newcomer to town. Someone else has turned up, someone from her recent past who has come looking for her.
Leon.
Ah, aint true love grand? Yes. But while that might seem like an overwhelming joy to have Leon there with her.. when Gaia is forced between a rock and a hard place.. she doesn't know what choice to make.
Either way she will be hurting someone. So what does she do? Try to work her way around the problem and try to get make the best decision possible.

I know some people didn't like this book as much as the first, or felt the characters were vastly different but I don't think that's the case at all.
Gaia was still the same girl she has always been.. but sometimes she has to make choices and decisions that she wish she wouldn't have to.

We see different layers to Leon. Not only is he the boy we met in Birthmarked, but since Gaia left the Enclave.. Leon was punished, and he has been through so much and that itself would change a person. We see him more passionate, dangerous and utterly in love with Gaia. I think I fell more in love with him in this book.

We have new characters such as Peter and Will, brothers who end up liking the same girl.. who likes someone else.
The leader of the town, the Matrarc. Banished girls who Gaia befriends.

I was going to rate this 4 stars, but then I remember on my re-read of this book, I could not put it down. It was addicting, and the angsty /tension between Gaia and Leon made me finish this book within a day.

This book was a thrilling ride, and it sets up for the final book in the series which I cannot wait for especially with what will be happening, and that alone.. is a must read.

Rating: 5/5

Review: Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien

Birthmarked (Birthmarked, #1) by Caragh O'Brien
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication date: March 30th, 2010
Number of pages: 361pgs
Format: Hardcover
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

In the Enclave, your scars set you apart, and the newly born will change the future.
 
In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the walled Enclave and those, like sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone, who live outside. Following in her mother's footsteps Gaia has become a midwife, delivering babies in the world outside the wall and handing a quota over to be "advanced" into the privileged society of the Enclave. Gaia has always believed this is her duty, until the night her mother and father are arrested by the very people they so loyally serve. Now Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught, but her choice is simple: enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.
A stunning adventure brought to life by a memorable heroine, this dystopian debut will have readers racing all the way to the dramatic finish

From the moment I opened the very first page, I was hooked.

We're taken right into Gaia's world of being a young midwife, following in her mother's footsteps. At sixteen, Gaia knows just about everything there is to know about delivering a child, but while her mother is at another birth, Gaia is forced to deliver her very first child out into the world.She starts to feel guilty about delivering the child to the Enclave for others to raise, but she serves the Enclave and is taught not to ask questions, and do as she is told.

Upon arriving home, Gaia is told her parents had been taken into the Enclave for questioning, basically arrested for something she can't imagine they would be involved in. She too is questioned regarding information her parents might have kept hidden by a soldier. How could she know anything like this... she has no idea what was going on.
From that moment on, she determined to find her parents and sort out the mess they think they are in. She is sure they must be mistaken. But getting inside the wall was proving harder than she imagined, and that's when things start to take off..

I really fell in love with Gaia's story of not just finding her parents, but also finding out the truth. Along the way, she meets and gets to know the solider who questioned her. Leon.

The romance in this book felt very natural, and realistic. These two characters. Gaia and Leon both have been through complicated messes and come out at the other side.
The journey to discover the truth behind the patterns, and the package that was left to her seems to be more complicated than she thought. She does not have a lot of time other wise, she could end up dead.

 I really liked the mystery behind this story. And the end gives more to work with for a series. I loved this book the first time I read it, and even more the 2nd time.

This story feels different than a lot of the dystopian things out there. And the writing was just great. Caragh has a knack of getting you addicted in the world she has created.

Rating: 5/5

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication date: July 25th, 2012
Number of pages: 376
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with “freaky” scars on her arms. Even Echo can’t remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins--the smoking hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket--explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo’s world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she’ll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again

I will be the first to admit that I have never been that big on contemporary YA romance books, or maybe I am just so used to Genre type books that when a book in contemporary comes around it takes me awhile to adjust.
I had seen this book everywhere before I finally took the plunge and bought it. It sounded interesting, but I was never 100% sure until I was convinced from a friend who said it was her favourite YA contemporary of 2012,  I then decided to go ahead and and take the chance.
I am pleasantly surprised to say that I was glad I took that chance because of how much I loved it.

I like that it was different. I mean yes it was YA contemporary romance, but it also had this allure and mystery factor to the plot that pulled me in as well.
The story was not just about these two characters and how they connected to one another. It was also about how they became the people they are today and their dark pasts where mystery surrounds them to a point that your hearts will go out to them both individually.

From the very beginning I connected with not just Echo, but also Noah. As we see they have been through so much and continue to do so just made me feel for them so much more.
Echo is living a nightmare one she can't remember for the past few months. She knows something happened to her. She understands who is responsible, but what she doesn't understand is how it happened or why it happened. It's a big mystery surrounding this one big event that continues to haunt her very being and always will until she discovers the truth.

Noah is living his own nightmare; though a bit different to Echo's. His nightmare more has to do with his family. He too has been through a tragic event that has changed who he is. But in other ways he is still the same guy it's just certain things that circumstances has changed him.
He loves his brothers more than life itself and they are the one thing making him go through each day... until he sees them again.

Even though these two teenagers are damaged and scarred throughout their own personal issues going on, they somehow find a connection with one another that makes all the pain somehow a little more bareable.  Together they begin the healing process and maybe even find some sort of light amongst the darkness.

Even if you aren't big on contemporary like me; I'd suggest you take a look into this one because it will surprise the heck out of you. Guaranteed.

Rating: 5 stars.