Jessica Rules The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica Rules The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Released: January 10th 2012 (first released October 19th 2011)
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Series: Jessica, Book Two
Page Amount: 309 (US Hardcover Edition)
Source: Borrowed From Library

*The following blurb and review might contain spoilers if you haven't read Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side*

"It’s one thing to find out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to clear her husband’s name, Jessica launches into a full-scale investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius’s time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is—and whom she can trust—before it’s too late?"
-Information from Goodreads.com 




My Thoughts:
 Jessica now finds herself, a married Vampire Princess. Although she isn't sure of herself being able to be a ruler. When a vampire elder ends up dead in her living room. When the day before her husband and the vampire Claudiu were seen publicly fighting. Everyone believes he did, everyone but Jessica. Not only does she have to prove her husband is innocent but prove she is fit to rule. Will she save Lucius? Will she end up being a Queen?

To find out the answers. You should pick this up!!

4/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley

In My Mailbox (18)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Krisi at The Story Siren. The purpose of In My Mailbox is a way for bloggers/readers to showcase what books they got for review, bought or borrowed from the library.

Borrowed From The Library:

I have seen this book around for a while. And decided to pick it up. I am excited to see what I will think of it.

I loved Paranormalcy. So I am dying to get into Supernaturally.


















That's what I got this week, In My Mailbox. Let me know what you guys got in your mailboxes.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Released: May 3rd 2011 (first released March 1st 2011)
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Series: Divergent, Book One
Page Amount: 487 (US Hardcover Edition)
Source: Library




"In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series--dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance."
- Information from Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
For me Divergent is a new favorite of mine. That I never saw coming. It was definitely shocking at times, as a matter of face I haven't been this shocked to the core from a book since The Hunger Games series. Tris even with weak moments was truly a remarkable character. She is someone whom I could see being a real person. The battles she faces into trying to become Dauntless, was hard to read but even harder to put down. I was glued from the first chapter.

Veronica Roth did an amazing job in describing the world in the dystopian Chicago. I loved her writing style. She for sure one of my new favorite authors. I cannot wait to get my hands on Insurgent.

And can I saw Divergent's cover is kick ass!! If you have been debating whether or not to pick up this up. You should go for it. I didn't mention this above but there is this amazing guy named Four, and he and Tris are just so awesome together.

5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Fracture by Megan Miranda
Released: January 17th 2012
Publisher: Walker Children's
Page Amount: 262 (US Hardcover Edition)
Source: Borrowed From Library


"Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

  Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death."
-Information from Goodreads.com




My Thoughts:
 Fracture is the debut novel from Megan Miranda. Fracture is the story about a girl named Delaney. Who is in a coma for six days. She comes out of it with something off with her brain. She soon discovers she's not the only one with this weird feeling in her brain. Troy Vargas, who was in a coma as well shares the weird brain malfunction. If you had the power to chose if someone dies or lives. What would you do? And if you had one day to live, what would you do?

I really loved Delaney and felt myself going through what she endure throughout the story line.

I love Megan's writing style in Fracture. Looking forward to reading future releases from her!!

5/5 stars!! Happy Reading, Ashley!!

Halflings by Heather Burch

Halflings by Heather Burch
Released: February 1st 2012 (first released January 17th 2012)
PUBLISHER: ZONDERVAN PUBLISHING
SERIES: HALFLINGS, BOOK ONE
PAGE AMOUNT: 288 (US PAPERBACK EDITION)
SOURCE: NETGALLEY




"After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world."


MY THOUGHTS:

I RECEIVED THIS FOR REVIEW VIA NETGALLEY. I BECAME ENCHANTED FROM THE START. HALFLINGS IS THE TELLING OF HALF-HUMAN AND HALF-ANGELS SENT TO PROTECT NICOLE YOUNGBLOOD. NOT SURE WHAT THEIR JOUNREY INTALES, MACE, RAVEN, AND VINCE AKA THE LOST BOYS. ARE TOLD TO KEEP CLOSE TABS ON HER BY THEIR GUARDIAN WILL. EVEN SAVING NIKKI’S LIFE A COUPLE OF TIMES. TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE STORY THERE IS A LOVE TRIANGLE WITH MACE, NIKKI, AND RAVEN.  HOWEVER IT IS FORBIDDEN FOR HALFINGS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HUMANS. RATHER THAN BE THE DOWNFALL FOR EITHER ONE OF THEM. NIKKI TRIES TO KEEP HER FEELINGS IN CHECK. THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE STORY, NIKKI FINDS HERSELF QUESTIONING WHETHER OR NOT SHE CAN HELP FIGHT IN THE EPIC ETHEREAL BATTLE.

LOVED THIS STORY, HEATHER’S WRITING IS AMAZING. COULDN’T EVEN TELL THAT THIS IS A DEBUT NOVEL!! LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REST OF THE SERIES AND SEEING WHAT BECOMES OF THESE CHARACTERS!!

5/5 stars happy reading, Ashley

In My Mailbox (17)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @TheStorySiren. In My Mailbox is a way for book reviewers to show what books they got for review, bought or borrowed from the library.

Borrowed From The Library:
Fracture by Megan Miranda
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
Jessica Rules The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
A Kiss In Time by Alex Flinn
Toads And Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson







That's what I got In My Mailbox this week!! Please let me know what wonderful books you guys got!! Happy Reading and remember A book can sparkle all the time, do to the love we book readers have for them!!
~Ashley

A Million Suns by Beth Revis

A Million Suns by Beth Revis

Released: January 10th 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Series: Across The Universe, Book Two
Page Amount: 386 (US hardcover edition)

"In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, "New York Times"-bestselling author Revis mesmerizes readers again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship."




My Thoughts:
I didn't think A Million Suns would be any more amazing than Across The Universe. Boy was I proven wrong. I will admit I got off to a rocky start with A Million Suns by towards the middle I was hooked and had to read straight through till the end. This series is amazing and I wish I would be time for the next book to come out. If you loved Across The Universe than you truly need to get your hands on A Million Suns. Beth Revis, I bow down to you. You did it again!  

5/5 stars, happy reading, Ashley  

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

Released: June 1st 2011
Publisher: Balzer&Bray
Series: A Need So Beautiful, Book One
Page Amount: 267 (US hardcover edition)


"We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten...

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences."

My Thoughts:
I felt A Need So Beautiful was the touching story about a teenage girl being selfless and willing to lose her life to save others and give the light of love.  For as long as Charlotte can remember she has felt this "need" that makes her go to help someone make a decision in their life. 

As time goes on she starts to notice she is losing herself more and more. She's then left to decided to stay or light the of love shine. 

4/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley  

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey 

Released: January 17th 2012 (first released January 5th 2012)
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Page Amount: 288 (US hardcover edition)

"For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric-who may or may not betray them"



My Thoughts:
I received this from NetGalley for review.  Stolen Away is told from the point of views from the 2 main female characters Eloise and Jo. Eloise has always lived a normal life, never knowing her aunts weird past. She is kidnapped by the faery king in order for her aunt to give back the king's crown.  Its always the classic tale of good versus evil. I loved the characters.

It reminded me of The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa.

4/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley

Escaping Titanic:A Young Girl's True Story Of Survival

Escaping Titanic: A Young Girl's True Story Of Survival by Marybeth Lorbiecki Illustrated by Korey S. Heinzen

Released Feb. 1st 2012
Publisher: Picture Window Books/ Capstone
Edition: Paperback 32, pages
Received For Review From Net Galley (e-book)

"Commemorate the Titanic's disastrous voyage with this harrowing tale of survival. Follow the true story of young Ruth Elizabeth Becker as her awe of the mighty Titanic turns to horror when she is separated from her mother and siblings. Ages 5-10"





My Thoughts:
I received this for review from NetGalley. Everyone is well aware of the stories told about the Titanic. This particular point of view is from a young girl Ruth Becker. Whom was aboard the luxurious ship with her mother,little brother and sister. Ruth is enchanted by the beauty of the Titanic. She loves dinning room, the cabin she and her family are in and the library as well. Everyone on aboard is lovely towards her.

I love anything on Titanic. This particular story is just amazing. Because this is a real person that was on the ship. Whom had walked around the decks, had eaten in the dinning hall. Something I've only dreamed about. Ruth never told anyone about her time aboard the ship until its 70th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

For all those Titanic buffs out there should get this book. Yes its for a younger audience. But the pictures are wonderful. At the end of the book is more information on Ruth after her life on the Titanic.

5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley
 

Revealing Eden by Victoria Foyt

Revealing Eden by Victoria Eden

Released: January 10th 2012
Publisher: Sand Dollar Press Inc.
Series: Save The Pearls, Book One
Page Amount: 320 (US Hardcover Edition)


"Eden Newman must mate before her 18th birthday in six months or she'll be left outside to die in a burning world. But who will pick up her mate-option when she's cursed with white skin and a tragically low mate-rate of 15%? In a post-apocalyptic, totalitarian, underground world where class and beauty are defined by resistance to an overheated environment, Eden's coloring brands her as a member of the lowest class, a weak and ugly Pearl. If only she can mate with a dark-skinned Coal from the ruling class, she'll be safe. Just maybe one Coal sees the Real Eden and will be her salvation her co-worker Jamal has begun secretly dating her. But when Eden unwittingly compromises her father's secret biological experiment, she finds herself in the eye of a storm and thrown into the last area of rainforest, a strange and dangerous land. Eden must fight to save her father, who may be humanity's last hope, while standing up to a powerful beast-man she believes is her enemy, despite her overwhelming attraction. Eden must change to survive but only if she can redefine her ideas of beauty and of love, along with a little help from her "adopted aunt" Emily Dickinson."

My Thoughts:
I’m not sure how to describe my thoughts and feelings on Revealing Eden by Victoria Eden. It is a world I could see happening in the near future. If we as the human race don’t start respecting the earth more. Being more respectful towards one another as well.

Eden is a Pearl, which is not a good thing in this society. Coals, dark-skinned humans are the well to do. Eden puts this dark coating that hides her light skin so she can find a mate. She believes finding a mate will keep her safe and her future will be safe as well. However things go haywire when the experiment her father is keeping under lock and key is discover by the FFP (Federation of Free People).

She, her father and Ronson Bramford her boss, all leave the world they’ve known. In order to keep the experiment safe. Throughout the time spent where they are. Eden discovers she has feelings for Bramford and is willing to do anything for him.

The ending has left me wondering where the rest of this series is heading. I look forward to learning more about this world and the characters.

4/5 stars, for those who are big dystopian fans should check out this book!!

Happy Reading, Ashley!!