Eternal by C.C. Hunter

Shadow Falls, a school for paranormal teens, wormed its way into my heart when I read Kylie's first book: Born at Midnight. I had no idea that the series would continue on past Kylie's story, but it has and I am loving Della's story as much, if not more than, the original series.

Della is unique. Not only is she stubborn, tough as nails, and sarcastic, Della is a Reborn. Being a Reborn means having stronger vampiric powers than the average vampire. It also means that she is now bonded with Chase - a mysterious vamp that is less open than Della, which is quite the accomplishment because Della does NOT talk about things. EVER.

Being bonded is difficult for Della, especially since it is something she doesn't want and she most definitely doesn't understand. But being bonded to Chase as a Reborn is not the only thing connecting them. They also seem to have a ghost who wants both of their help, which only makes things even more complicated than they were to begin with. Now Della, with Chase's help (whether she likes it or not), must follow the clues left by the ghost before they run out of time. However, the ghost connects Della to more than to just Chase.

The ghost also continues Della's search for the truth behind her family secrets and reveals her father's dark past. This has Della questioning everything she has ever known and loved.

Filled with excitement and romance, Eternal is a must have for any Shadow Falls fan. Don't miss this second book in the Shadow Falls: After Dark trilogy. C.C. Hunter manages to once again make readers laugh, cry, and genuinely care about the characters in this fantastic book about paranormal teens. The ending will have you begging for more (or it will have you tossing the book across the room, like I almost did). Della and the whole Shadow Falls gang do not disappoint.


P.S. Be sure to check out my tumblr where I am having a giveaway to promote the Shadow Falls series in honor of the release of Eternal on October 28!

Haha! Fooled Ya!

Going with my no excuses mode, I'm going to just hop right in.

Sorry I haven't done as I said. I am going to try to be present more than I have been for the last couple of years...the key word there is try. I know I still owe a Chosen at Nightfall review, but I now also owe a Reborn review and an Eternal review. Seeing as Eternal is the one I have most recently read, I am going to post that review first. And here is the good news. I already have that review written! I just need to edit it and make sure it is what I want to publish, so yeah. I will have it posted tomorrow for sure and that is a promise.

In the meantime, you should go to my tumblr (here) to check out the Shadow Falls: After Dark giveaway I am hosting. I hope you all are doing well and here's to fresh starts (again...)!

♥A

I'm a Terrible Terrible Person. Not That I Didn't Already Know This.

Hi. Been a while. I know. Sorry. I'll try to not make excuses. So yeah.

I've done a lot of reading since I last wrote. Like a lot of reading. And the one thing I really want to talk about is Chosen at Nightfall by C.C. Hunter. But before I get there, let me say that I'm not going to make promises that I can't keep. So I'm going to start over fresh. I'm going to take this blogging thing one day at a time and hopefully I'll get you all to forgive me.

The first thing I would like to do it revamp my reviews of books. I'm going to work harder on them. I'm going to try and make them sound less cheesy and less alike. I'm going to try to make books sound more awesome, if that is even possible. So I might take longer on a review. I might even read a book twice before getting around to a review. And that is what I am going to do with Chosen at Nightfall. I read the book in one sitting originally while I was still taking classes at university. Hopefully I will be able to sit down and be less rushed this time around. The Shadows Falls books are definitely meant to be gobbled up, but they are also meant to be savored. Now is the time for savoring.

So readers look out. I'm going to be getting a new review out to you in the next week (not a promise, but a commitment...I hope). I am also going to get back to some more personal blogging. And be sure to check out my other blog (http://sherlock-doomsday.blogspot.com/). I have some writing that I'd like to put on there. Here's to a new experience from me!

♥ A

Um...Hi...

So long time no write...sorry about that. You know that thing called school? I am busy trying manage classes and homework which leaves some free time, but I honestly don't know what I have been doing with that free time besides being lazy.

Anywho, I'm here with exciting news! C.C. Hunter has released the new date her newest Shadow Falls book will be released and much much more at her blog: here.It looks as if Chosen at Nightfall won't be the last Shadow Falls book...I'm really excited to see more from Della's point-of-view. But mostly I want to know who the heck Kylie ends up with. It is going to drive me crazy I am sure.

So I have read more books, but expect all of the reviews I have been meaning to do before I get to the latest books I have read (not even going to mention what they are because that is sort of pointless...). And I'm off to do more school.

The Harken Book Cover is Here!

Just going to leave this here :)

Harken by Kaleb Nation

I was super excited when Kaleb Nation announced his new book. And now I am even more excited because he just announced the title and the release date: Harken - 1/13/13. Go check out the website: readharken.com and sign up for emails. Also check out Kaleb Nation on YouTube.  And remember: don't trust anyone.

Whispers at Moonrise by C.C. Hunter

Of all of the things her dad could have told her, why did he have to say that she, Kylie Galen, was a chameleon? What did that even mean? And why did he tell her that the would figure it out together?

Kylie's life has always been a mess, but this - this topped it all off. Between trying to figure out what being a chameleon is and figuring out her feelings for both Lucas and Derek, Kylie is stressed out to the the max. Being a chameleon has almost distracted her from her ghost problems. Almost.

When the ghost she is helping looks suspiciously like the camp leader, Holiday, Kylie really begins to freak. The ghost wants to tell her something important, but like every other ghost Kylie has ever come across, this ghost won't just come out and say it. And with the possibility of Mario's gang being after her Kylie just wants to stop worrying about everything.

Kylie's world has never been thrown into such disarray before. C.C. Hunter is able to show how Kylie's life is spinning out of control and readers will be with Kylie every step of the way. More than one mystery is taking place in Whispers at Moonrise (the fourth book in the Shadow Falls series; other reviews can be found here) and readers will read chapter after chapter to see if their suspicions are correct. Out of all of the Shadow Falls books, Whispers at Moonrise is more focused on the mystery surrounding Kylie and her ghosts, but it still has the love triangle between Kylie, Lucas, and Derek. There is even mystery in Kylie's love life. What exactly is Lucas up to and why won't he tell her things? Join Kylie in finding out what her future holds for her and those she cares for in Whispers at Moonrise.

Received ARC from publisher. Whispers at Moonrise will be available October 2, 2012.

And Now For an Extremely Important (not) Update

So, as you have probably figured out, my posts have been a bit all over the place and this is because school is kicking my ass. Well kind of. I'm enjoying my classes but I seem to have a ton of reading homework with all of my classes. This means that posting is going to happen when ever it happens - especially since one of my classes requires me to keep a blog for class (again) and that kind of takes precedence over the blog I keep for fun (aka: this blog).

In other news, I received my ARC of Whispers at Moonrise by C.C. Hunter!! And I have read it, so be expecting that review in the future (and by future I mean like later today or tomorrow). I have been completely over the moon with this book and I really want to read more. I absolutely love all of the swag I received with the book as well. I'm going to have to take a picture of everything and put it up here. I still have a bunch of bookmarks...maybe I will put together some kind of giveaway. What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments and maybe give me ideas of when I should do said giveaway. It might be after I reach a certain number of followers. Who knows.

Other things in my life are pretty normal. I am getting into the swing of things here at school and things are going well. Bad news is that there are massive wildfires near my home town and I really wish I could be there to see it (you can apparently see it from my parents' house). I warned my mom not to let my dad go fire watching...it didn't go so well the last time. Here are some photos that I took:

Badger Mountain Fire 2008

Badger Mountain Fire 2008

 

Badger Mountain Fire 2008

Badger Mountain Fire 2008

Just so we are all clear - I want to be home so I can see the fire and take pictures, but I am also concerned because a ton of people have been evacuated from their homes and I am sure that it is really hard for them. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been evacuated.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson thinks that he is an ordinary kid. He couldn't be further from the truth. Truth is he's a demigod. And not just any demigod either. Turns out he's the son of one of the Big Three - Poseidon in fact. Also turns out that Zeus is out to get him because the "King of the Gods" thinks the Percy stole his precious Master Bolt. To make matters worse, Percy's mom has been kidnapped by Hades.

Now Percy and his friends, Grover and Annabeth, must travel across the country to confront Hades and they meet some interesting people along the way. Will Percy find the Master Bolt and save his mom before the deadline? Will they figure out who is behind the deadly plot stirring among the gods? And most importantly will Percy ever find out the prophecy that might explain his fate?

Rick Riordan's first Percy Jackson novel is exciting for readers of all ages. Those interested in modern Greek mythology will have a fun time reading Percy's adventure. Percy is a fun character who is easy to relate to. Readers will fall in love with Percy and his gang of friends and will want to read the rest of the books right away.

The Kane Chronicles: The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan

Sadie and Carter Kane continue to follow the path of the Ancient Egyptian gods in order to restore the world from the powers of Chaos. The brother and sister pair have much to lose if they are unable to restore Ma'at, including themselves.

Sadie still struggles with her two loves, Walt Stone - the boy who is cursed - and Anubis - the god of funerals. Carter also has continued romantic struggles with Zia Rashid.

The two will have to split up and unite the gods if they ever have a chance of winning against Chaos and Apophis. It is a rush against very limited time - with they be able to destroy the snake or will they be consumed by Chaos forever?

The Serpent's Shadow is the final installment in The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan (book one and book two). Told in the point of views of both Sadie and Carter, this book is full of wit as well as serious moments. It is a great ending to the chronicles and if readers enjoy Riordan's other works they will be sure to enjoy this book as well. Perhaps readers will see Sadie and Carter sometime in the future as the ending leaves the book rather open ended.

Origin by Jessica Khoury

Pia has never known more than the enclosed scientific community she has grown up in. Bred by scientist to be the first of an immortal race, Pia has been groomed to become a scientist herself and then to become head of the entire project. Their purpose: to create an entire immortal race.

For Pia, her entire life has been spent hidden from the world and the world hidden from her. Until just before her seventeenth birthday, that is. A new scientist helps Pia open her eyes to the ignorance she has been taught and the night of Pia's seventeenth birthday, she discovers a hole in the fence of the enclosed compound. Yearning for a chance to see some part, even a small part, of the outside world draws her outside.

In the Amazon jungle she has always seen, but never stepped foot in, Pia meets Eio - a boy from a nearby village. The attraction is instant as they race to discover the history of Pia's origin. How she was created and how others of her kind can be created. The truth could get them killed and will change both their lives forever.

Overall I thought the book was great. I really got into it and I enjoyed the plot. There were small things that confused me, like the passage of time. I wasn't quite sure how much time had passed from the beginning of the novel to the end and the days seemed to mesh together. Other than confusion with the passage of time, Pia was a strongly voiced narrator. Readers will be able to feel her confusion at all of the secrets and her passion for what she believes is right. Pia is a strongly relatable character. Parts of the book were more gruesome than I expected and there were times when the gruesome bits made me feel a bit green. Other than those two complaints and some minor grammar errors, the book was really good. The romance of the jungle and the first boy Pia meets are driving factors in the novel as much as the secrets of Little Cam - the scientific community. I feel that older teens will enjoy the book a bit more than younger teens or tweens.

I received an ARC from Goodreads Firstreads. The book comes out in September.

Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter

Kylie Galen still doesn't know what she is and she wants to know so badly that it physically hurts. She also wants to know who she is supposed to be with: Derek or Lucas. Why is it so hard to choose? And her true family; she still doesn't know who they are or why it is so hard for her to find them. But maybe the unsolved mysteries are better unsolved...

It doesn't help that Kylie's latest ghost has amnesia. How is Kylie supposed to help when the ghost can't even remember who she is? And the ghost's only warning: someone lives and someone dies. As if  things weren't creepy enough.

Always seeming to race against time, Kylie tries to uncover the past and unlock the secrets to a discovery that is more astonishing than she could have ever thought possible - what she really is.

Once again, C.C. Hunter takes readers on a fantastic ride through a world of magic and mystery. Kylie's ever growing and learning character will make readers continue to fall in love with her over and over again. Some questions will finally be answered, and new questions will be raised. What does this mean for Kylie? Will she ever be able to choose between Derek and Lucas? Will she ever be safe in Shadow Falls? Find out in Taken at Dusk! (reviews for books one and two can be found here and here)

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Sophie Mercer has been through more than she would like to admit. Striped of her powers, but not powerless, Sophie finds out that there is more to her family history than just being a demon. Her mother is the daughter of Aislinn Brannick - the Brannicks being nearly as terrible as the Eye when it comes to Prodigium.

However, the Brannicks aren't nearly as terrible as Sophie has once believed. They know of a way to stop the demons from being made and to put things back they way they should be and the Brannicks seem to think that Sophie is the key.

Without her powers, Sophie isn't convinced that she will be able to stop anything, let alone the end of the world. Will she be able to get her powers back before it is too late? Or will the evil lurking at Hex Hall rule over all?

This final installment in the Hex Hall trilogy will keep readers enthralled. With twist and turns, much like the first two books (Hex Hall and Demonglass), Spell Bound is a book that readers won't put down until they are finished. Sophie is a strong and determined character and even though she is a demon, her boy problems are just like any teens. Will she be able to choose between Archer and Cal? And will Elodie's ghost ever leave her alone?

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch...

Which is why she had been sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for troubled teens who aren't exactly human. However this wasn't the case. Well, she did need reform school, but she isn't exactly a witch. Now she knows the secret of her family and her ex-über-hot-crush, Archer Cross, works for The Eye (a group that is hell bent on destroying all Prodigium - fairies, witches, shapeshifter, etc.).

Now that she knows she is a demon, Sophie wants to go through the Removal. Her powers have the ability to destroy everything she loves, therefore she believes that she must go to London to remove her powers in order to keep those she loves safe.

When Sophie arrives, however, she discovers that she and her dad aren't the only ones of their kind - there are two others staying with them for the summer. This means that someone is raising demons in secret and for some plot that Sophie can't even begin to fathom. And among all of that, The Eye is creeping closer and they are using Archer Cross to do so. But it isn't like Sophie still has feelings for him, right?

This second book in the Hex Hall trilogy has twists and turns that readers won't believe. Sophie is still as spunky as ever and she is willing to fight - whether it be Archer or her father. Readers won't want to put the book down and the ending is sure to make them go out and buy the third book in an instant.

Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

Kylie Galen still has no clue what she is. Being at Shadow Falls surrounded by vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, witches, and fairies doesn't help her feelings of wanting to belong. Everyone seems to belong to a group except for her. All Kylie knows is that there is a new ghost that doesn't let her sleep past dawn. A ghost that keeps insisting that someone Kylie knows is going to die before the summer is over.

Even with the death of someone she cares for looming over her, Kylie's biggest problem seems to be her love life. Or rather the ache she feels now that Lucas, the handsome werewolf, has left camp, even though he has been visiting her in her dreams. Then there is Derek, the charmingly sexy half fae, who wants their relationship to become more serious. Kylie knows that she will have to choose, but how? Both guys care for her and not knowing who to choose pains her.

However, a dark supernatural force is within Shadow Falls causes Kylie to put romance on the back burner. Whatever it is threatens everything and everyone Kylie cares for at camp, but it also brings her closer to who she is and her destiny. All Kylie wants to know is: when will she finally get a break in the madness?

The second book in the Shadow Falls Series is just as captivating as the first (Born at Midnight). Kylie's struggles to find out who she is are central to the plot and will drive readers crazy with wanting to know more. There seem to be even more secrets to unravel as the book moves along and readers will rush through the pages to solve the mysteries - of who, or rather, what Kylie is; of whom is the ghost speaking; and what exactly is running around the forests of Shadow Falls?

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Tess Davies was just a servant working for the Lisles, a wealthy family, when she boarded the Titanic. Tess has been dreaming of this day; the day that she arrives in America and can be free of the Lisles and the pains they have caused her in the past. That is until she meets Alec.

From the moment Tess laid eyes on Alec, she knew her fate was about to change. Just one little problem: Alec is a first-class passenger and he has a ship-full of secrets. One of which is his reason for leaving Europe in such a hurry.

Before Tess realizes she is up to her neck in the secrets Alec possesses: werewolves exist and not only are they after Alec, but her as well. Her growing relationship with Alec puts her in mortal danger, but what everyone doesn't know is that they are all in danger in the deceptively calm waters of the Atlantic.

Claudia Gray spins an alluring tale of romance, werewolves, and of course the Titanic in Fateful. Readers will enjoy the heart gripping passages and fast paced story telling as Tess takes them on a one of a kind adventure. Will Alec and Tess live happily ever after? Will they meet their doom on the "Ship of Dreams?" Or will something a little more sinister cause their end?

Vespers Rising by Various Authors of the 39 Clues series

The 39 Clues have been found, but the Cahill's weren't the only ones looking.

Vespers Rising takes readers through the history of the Cahill family and answers the questions asked by every reader - what exactly happened to the original Cahill clan? Starting with Gideon Cahill all the way through to Amy and Dan, readers will go on an adventure through the centuries to figure out the Cahill family secret and who the Vespers are.

Written in four parts by Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson, readers will be sure to enjoy every moment of this action packed eleventh book of The 39 Clues series. Secrets will be revealed and danger lurks behind every page. This book is the prefect opener to the newest part of the series: Cahills vs. Vespers.

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Kylie Galen never thought that she would ever end up at a camp for troubled teens. One little mistake and her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls (well the therapist might have had something to do with it too). Upon arrival it becomes obvious that her fellow camp-mates aren't just "troubled teens." Shadow Falls is a summer camp for training fairies, vampires, werewolves, witches, and shapeshifters. While the groups may not all get along, they all train together to learn to control their magic in order to rejoin the normal world.

Kylie has never felt normal, but she doesn't feel like she belongs at Shadow Falls either. Everyone insists she is one of them - a freak - and that she wouldn't be there if there wasn't a reason.

For someone who has no wish to cause trouble, trouble seems to be attracted to her and their names are Derek and Lucas. Derek is half fae and he and Kylie seem to have an instant attraction. There there is Lucas...a totally hot werewolf Kylie shares a past with. If there was one person she thought she would never see again, it was Lucas.

As confusing as Shadow Falls can be for some one who has never seen been anything but "human" before, Kylie knows it is where she belongs.

This is the first book in the Shadow Falls series and readers who enjoyed Hex Hall will love this book as well. Kylie has always known that there was something off about her, but once she is at Shadow Falls it becomes clear that people have kept secrets from her all her life. Readers will be intrigued by the plot, not to mention the two extremely good looking guys that vie for Kylie's attention. Once finished, readers will beg for more wanting to know the secrets in Kylie's life.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Sophie Mercer is a witch. You know, black hats, and cats. Plus some mistakes...okay, a lot of mistakes. Which have landed her in Hex Hall, a reform school for others like her. Well, and some fairies and vampires. Not to mention the werewolves and other shifters.

By the end of her first day, Sophie knows she doesn't have any more luck at Hex Hall then she did in the mortal world. The three most popular girls in school hate her, she is crushing on one seriously hot warlock who happens to be way out of her league, and to make it all worse her roommate is a vampire that the entire school seems to hate.

Then things become even worse. Something is attacking students and Sophie's only friend is on top of the lists of suspects...in fact she is the only suspect. As the plot unfolds, Sophie realizes that not everything is as it seems and that her life is in danger.

Readers will love Sophie's spunk and daring in the first book of the Hex Hall trilogy. As the mystery unfolds it becomes clear that Sophie is at the center of a great web of confusion and danger. Page after page and chapter after chapter, readers will have trouble putting the book down. Sophie's story is engaging and exciting to read.

Only His by Susan Mallery

Nevada Hendrix is happy for her triplet sisters, she really is. Its just that even her mother has a more active love life than she does. And to make matters worse, she just applied for her dream job. Not that her dream job is a bad thing, but it is her future boss causing the issues. Her boss happens to be her first love; the very first person to break her heart.

Tucker Janack knew there was a chance of running into Nevada when he came back to Fool's Gold. He just never thought that she would be applying for the job with his company. Trying to leave the past behind and keeping things "just business" might be harder than either of them thought.

As things heat up will they be able to overcome their differences or will the past come back to haunt them?

This last book about the Hendrix triplets is sure to give readers warm and fuzzy feelings. Both Tucker and Nevada are lovable characters. Fool's Gold continues to be a charming Northwestern town that many readers will wish they could actually visit. With characters old and new, readers will be wanting to get their hands on anything Fool's Gold related after finishing this book.