Review: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Date Read: June 25^th, 2012

Date Published: May 24^th, 2012

Publishers: Razorbill

Format: Paperback

Pages: 144

Blurb: The drama and romance continue in this 144-page full-colour graphic novel adaptation of the second Vampire Academy novel, Frostbite, which was overseen by Richelle Mead and features beautiful art by acclaimed British illustrator Emma Vieceli.

Review:

I remember the first time I read this series in January. It seems a world away and I still remember everything like it was yesterday. Rose's story is something amazing and when I read it the world Mead created seemed so real that I had to remind myself it wasn't. Every emotion you can ever think of is in this series and that's what makes it so relatable, what makes the characters so human.

The artwork in this graphic novel is once again amazing and portrays the characters perfectly. If this series was ever made into books they should follow the graphic novels because they hold all the necessary information without overloading the readers.

I'm beginning to love graphic novels because it's like reading a movie right in front of you. And to tell the truth, I always wanted to read a comic book but felt I’d be too much of a dork to go out and buy one so these will have to do.

I'm sure that in the future i will re-read the whole series because it's one of those stories that will never grow old and will always surprise you even though you've already read them. I can honestly say that this series is one of my favourites based on the character, who are so bad ass and who i love dearly, the twisting plots that never fail to make me shocked and because of Richelle Mead, an author who has created a world so real that the reality will never be good enough for the readers. This series is simply one of a kind.

Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

Date Read: June 21^st, 2012

Date Published: June 21^st, 2011

Publishers: Harlequin Teen

Format: Paperback

Pages: 341

Blurb: What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Review:

I’ve read books where the characters felt they had true love but this is real, honest, true love. It’s the kind that’s in fairy tales and it was beautiful to read. It was just a fun read with characters that I loved almost instantly and a plot that was strong and entertaining.

Emma Connor moves to New York City after almost dying in a car accident and it’s more different than she thought it would be. Not only does she not fit in but she’s already caught the attention of the Vince A’s number one bitch, who happens to have a crush on the guy who has noticed Emma. Brendan Salinger, the guy who is only interested in you in your dreams, who has a model’s looks and is the resident bad boy at Vince A. Emma soon learns that there is a reason she feels so strongly towards him. A centuries old curse is upon them. They are true love incarnate and if they do not defeat the curse it will destroy Emma just as it has before. But with the clock ticking Emma knows she has to figure the curse out or she will die. Who knew true love would come at a price?

I love the idea of this book. I’ve read a few about lovers that have been reincarnated over centuries but this is my favourite so far. Cara Lynn Shultz is a great writer who knows how to tell a story in an intriguing and captivating way. I couldn’t put this book down and I have her to thank for that. I especially liked the fact that there were twists and turns that I didn’t expect, as well as a fast pace. At some bits I was holding my breath because it was that tense.

Another thing that makes this book so good are the characters that are loveable and completely adorable. Especially Brendan and Emma. Those two together made me smile and my insides go all fuzzy. They were great to read and their relationship is so strong. It made me want what they have. Also, the fact that Brendan is hot makes this an even more enjoyable read. Talk about a major crush alert. Anyone who reads this will fall in love with him almost straight away, I know I did. But enough about Brendan, Emma is also pretty cool who has a few surprises up her sleeve that I don’t want to spoil. She’s a character that is real. She’s had a pretty rough time in the past, which can be relatable to readers, but she can also hold her own. She also makes a cool friend who just happens to be a witch. Can this book get any cooler? Angelique is funny, sassy and extremely likable with her quick temper. Did I mention that her dislike of Brendan adds some humour to the book? The things they say to each other sometimes are hilarious.

Overall this book is great. Sometimes it can make you cringe with embarrassment, other times it makes you shake with laughter and sometimes you catch yourself smiling and saying “aww” because it’s so damn cute. It’s tense at times and the pace keeps you on the edge of your seat at certain parts but this book will never fail to make you want more. I know I did as soon as I finished it. So take my advice and pick it up because it’s a fun, light and interesting read that you are sure to fall head over heels in love with.

Review: Social Suicide by Gemma Halliday

Date Read: June 16^th, 2012

Date Published: April 24^th, 2012

Publishers: Harper teen

Format: Paperback

Pages: 277

Blurb: Twittercide: the killing of one human being by another while the victim is in the act of tweeting.

Call me crazy, but I figured writing for the "Herbert Hoover High Homepage" would be a pretty sweet gig. Pad the resume for college applications, get a first look at the gossip column, spend some time ogling the paper's brooding bad-boy editor, Chase Erikson. But on my first big story, things went . . . a little south. What should have been a normal interview with Sydney Sanders turned into me discovering the homecoming queen-hopeful dead in her pool. Electrocuted while Tweeting. Now, in addition to developing a reputation as HHH's resident body finder, I'm stuck trying to prove that Sydney's death wasn't suicide.

I'm starting to long for the days when my biggest worry was whether the cafeteria was serving pizza sticks or Tuesday Tacos. . .

Review:

It’s been a long time since i sat down and read a book. A month exactly due to all the exams going on and in no way did i want to jeprodise my future because of a book (no offence to all those amazing books out there). So i took a break and i actually enjoyed it but i enjoyed reading my first book in a month yesterday in one go. Looks like i still got it in me.

Hartley is back and she's here to solve another case. After finding the would-be homecoming queen dead when she was meant to have an interview Hartley quickly decides that it's up to her to find out who the real killer is with the help of Chase, the guy who kissed her once and if head of the newspaper she works at. Not only is their relationship odd but everytime she thinks too much about things with him it always bites her in the ass. And as she gets closer to finding the killer her life is put in danger. Will Hartley make it this time or will she uncover the secret?

I love this series. It's just so darn funny and the characters are amazing. Hartley is a genuine character and you can relate to her so much and she always has you laughing. Since i read the first i knew i wanted to read the second, i just didn't have the time which sucked. But i picked it up and read it in near enough one sitting because it was just that good.

I really liked the plot to this one and i had no idea who the killer would be and even when i found out i was still in shock. I guess that's what is so great about these types of books. They keep you guessing right up until the end when all the cards are laid out on the table. I am really looking forward to seeing what the next will be like because these books just got better.

Chase...He's so funny and cool and just yummy. I'm rooting for him and Hartley to get together and i think they just might. They suit each other so well and he really cares about her so much. They had me laughing my socks off at one point where they were hiding and they were close together in a storage closet. Some of the things Chase says just bring a smile to my face.

If you haven't read any of these books then you need to right away because they are brilliant. I'd definitely recommend any YA lover to try reading some mystery crime YA because it's great and different than paranormal romance. A good different.
I am so excited for the next one and will be on the lookout for any new information.

Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Date Read: May 8^th, 2012

Date Published: April 24^th, 2012

Publishers: Harlequin Teen

Format: Hardback

Pages: 485

Blurb: "In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

Review:

I have to say, I only read the first two Iron Fey books but this book right here was so much better than them. Some people will say “How can you say that?” but honestly, quite easily. This book just had so much more to it. I must admit that with the Iron Fey series it took me forever to read those two books as there was just too much info to digest and it was slow. But this book was fast paced and had a storyline to make me drool. So what makes this book so amazing, you ask? Well, I’m about to tell you.

Allison Sekemoto is unregistered which means she is nearly invincible but it also means she lives a life of stealing, scavenging and hiding in the Fringe of the outskirts of a Vampire City. She and her crew struggle to survive in the day and at night they must hide if they are to stay alive. But one night, when she and her crew go at out night, she knows they’ve made a fatal mistake. When they are attacked by the Rabids, mindless creatures who wander outside the city walls, Allie is faced with a decision. Die or become one of the monsters she has hated all her life. A Vampire. Allie becomes the things she despises the most and is taught by her Sire how to fight and live as one. But when something happens she is forced to flee and joins a band of humans who are searching for a place that may cure the disease of rabidism. She must learn to hide what she really is and that’s hard to do around Zeke, who she is growing closer to. Will she be able to keep her Hunger contained or will she end up killing an innocent?

This book...I don’t know where to begin. Maybe I should start off with the character of Allision. I loved her. Simply because she was a bad ass girl with some crazy moves and ideas. I could relate to her because if I was given the choice to live or die I would choose to live, even if it meant becoming something I hated. She was strong, brave and determined to not let the monster inside her get the better of her. She doesn’t want to be a monster so she tries hard to contain it and cling to her humanity. I was rooting for her throughout the whole novel.
Zeke....I fell in love with him and his ways. His role in the group of humans was to protect them and he did a great job. He blamed himself for a lot of thing but Allie was there to help him. There were times when I just wanted to pull him out of the book and give him a great big hug because he was that amazing and heroic. In a way he was a lot like Allie. And their relationship wasn’t instant. It grew and as it did they did too.
Now onto Kanin, Allie’s Sire. He was one complicated character but I really liked him. I hope we get to see more of him in the next book. When we found out about his past I understood why he was the way he was. I want to know more and I think we’ll get it.

I loved Allie’s commitment to both Zeke and Kanin and that she wanted to help both at the same time but couldn’t. I just know that the next book will have so much more in store for her and Kanin and I hope Zeke appears as well.

Now onto the plot. There hasn’t been a good vampire novel in a while and this took us back to the original vampires. Monsters that needed blood to survive and wanted it and couldn’t stop once they got started. But not only do we have humans and vampires, we also have the Rabids that are more monstrous than the vampires. Vampires can stop themselves but Rabids can’t which makes them extra dangerous.
Everything about this book was thoroughly thought out and there were lots of twists and turns to keep me intrigued. I didn’t want to go to school or sleep because it was so fast paced that I didn’t want to stop and put it down. The descriptive scenes in this book were amazingly gruesome and seemed so real I was sure I’d have nightmares about Rabids coming after me. There were times when my stomach churned in anticipation and I was rooting for the group and Allison to get through this.

This book took a hold of me and wouldn’t let go. I won’t be forgetting this one for a while and I am super excited for the next one. This Vampire book was unique and totally original. I don’t think they’ll be another like it. Anyone who loves Vampire books or is a fan of Kagawa needs to get this and if my review hasn’t convinced you then I don’t know what will. But if you do take a chance with this book I can assure you that it will be everything you expect from Kagawa and more.