Quickie Review: Scored by Lauren McLaughlin

Book: Scored
By: Lauren McLaughlin
Published: October 25, 2011
Published by: Random House

Description: Set in the future when teenagers are monitored via camera and their recorded actions and confessions plugged into a computer program that determines their ability to succeed. All kids given a "score" that determines their future potential. This score has the ability to get kids into colleges, grant scholarships, or destroy all hope for the above. Scored's reluctant heroine is Imani, a girl whose high score is brought down when her best friend's score plummets. Where do you draw the line between doing what feels morally right and what can mean your future? Friendship, romance, loyalty, family, human connection and human value: all are questioned in this fresh and compelling dystopian novel set in the scarily forseeable future.

My Thoughts: With a premise like this one, I expected this book to be amazing. Unfortunately, it fell short in my book. The main character Imani is not only a "snitch" as we in America like to call it, but she just annoys me to no end. I don't think I could ever be friends with her in real life. Her love interest, Diego, though somewhat interesting, still didn't draw me in. I loved the premise though, and the way people responded to it, but I didn't like the lackluster ending. I felt like it was missing something. I give it 3 stars.

Review: Imaginable by J. Meyers

Book: Imaginable (Intangible #2)
By: J. Meyers
Published: April 16, 2013
Published by: Self Published

Description: Twins Sera and Luke Raine’s unusual abilities are growing. Sera is healing vampires now, making them human again. And, at times, Luke can actually change the future he Sees.

But Sera’s healing has dangerous consequences, and though Luke is altering the outcome of more visions, he can’t control them yet.

Now Sera is in danger as the dark creatures of the Realm seek to use her. As Luke struggles to master his gift in order to save his sister, he discovers even more about his powers.

And what he learns just may put him in greater danger than Sera has ever been.

My Thoughts: As you all know from my review of Intangible, I think J. Meyers series is a pretty good one. For that reason, I was quite pleased to have a request to read her next book Imaginable.

Imaginable picks up where Intangible left off. Sera is forbidden from using her healing powers on vampires, and Luke is learning how to control his gift a bit better. Unfortunately though, Sera's healing abilities have been requested from vampires all around and she has no idea how to say no, especially when saying no has dire consequences for those she loves. To make matters worse, Luke cant quite call his visions, no matter how hard he tries. Eventually, Sera has no choice but to follow the instructions of the enemy, or bad things will befall everyone she knows, and her enemies are not above playing dirty.

I liked Imaginable. Though the beginning started out a bit confusing with the speedy reintroduction of so many characters at once, the story developed easily as I continued to read. The story line didn't seem rushed or forced as some stories do, and I was able to follow the logic of the occurrences. As was the case with Intangible, this book was a bit predictable at times, but it definitely threw you for a loop in other times to keep you on your toes.

I must say, I didn't like Sera as much in this book as I did in the last. She seemed to have gotten weak or something and couldn't see through easy lies. She's extremely gullible at times when one would be expected to be wary of any and every suspicious occurrence. Luke and Fey, however made up for Sera's issues. Their relationship bloomed in this story, and I was happy to see how things progressed.

This book was extremely imaginative (see what I did there;)). We got to see more of the Realm, the light and the dark. It was interesting to see the world J. Meyers created. I definitely enjoyed seeing how Sera and Luke got themselves out of another unfortunate circumstance, though this time the ending wasn't a completely happy one.

A copy of this book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review. I give this Imaginable 3 stars. It was good, not quite as good as the previous book, but I still look forward to seeing what happens next, if there is a next.......

 J Meyers has a website where she shares the first few chapters of Intangible and Imaginable. Check it out here.

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Book: Clockwork Prince
By: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: December 6, 2011

Description: In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

My Thoughts: I wanted to absolutely love this book. I really did, but something just didnt overcome the typical second book nature. I read everyone else's reviews and expected to be blown away, but I wasnt. I preferred to sleep instead of read a few more pages at night. I wasnt lost in the pages like I wanted. I didnt find myself thinking about reading it at random parts of the day. I often found that I preferred watching tv for some reason, even though I had ample time to read. There were so many things that frustrated me in this book.I wasnt understanding how Tessa's mind worked, or Will's and started feeling like things just happened without me understanding the progression of events. Tessabegan to annoy me at times and I'm still not quite sure why. Maybe because I'm so Team Will (Dont get me wrong, I like Jem, but he's just not the one for me) and I want her to be with him and follow her heart and all those good things but the events just prevent it. I do want to mention that there were parts of this book I loved. The action and the suspense, the twists and turns were great. Oh and the makeout scenes had me hoping I hadn't chosen to read a young adult book. Nonetheless, this book just didnt have what it took to make me feel like I was reading the best book ever. For that reason, I give it 3 stars.

Review: Iron Maiden by Resa Nelson

Hello Everyone! So I am halfway through my class and you know what that means? I am bored out of my mind and need to focus on anything else before I lose it! I have been doing quite a bit of reading in the past few days and wrote absolutely no reviews. Therefore, I am going to stockpile some posts to have something to do right now and sporadically release them so it seems like I'm really blogging when In fact I'm pulling my hair out from the roots as I stare blankly at a sentence in a textbook that I've read 32 33 times and still haven't gotten. Here's review #1:

Book: The Iron Maiden
By: Resa Nelson
Publication Date: December 21, 2011
Publisher: Mundania Press

Description: Astrid is reluctant to travel the winter route beyond the Northlands, even though it’s her duty.  She’d rather stay home in her village, surrounded by friends and neighbors.  Ignoring the bonds of tradition, she decides to spend the cold winter months in the warmth of her blacksmith shop.  Why should she leave the comfort of her cottage to serve and protect foreigners who might raid and harm her native Northlands?
Everything changes when a traveling merchant steals Starlight, the first dragonslayer’s sword Astrid forged and her last link to her sweetheart DiStephan.  Having no time to alert her friends, Astrid races in pursuit of the merchant, determined to reclaim Starlight as her own and return home in time for dinner.  Instead, her quest leads her to new lands, unexpected friendships with foreigners, and a harrowing encounter with the damage done by the followers of a new god that considers women as nothing more than servants to men.  All the while, she must be ready to face any dragon traveling the winter route.
In Book 2 of the Dragonslayer series, Astrid must learn that deciding who she is isn’t a decision she can make just once.  It’s a decision she must make every day.

My Thoughts: This book thoroughly emphasizes self growth and the power and strength even the smallest people have. It was a fantastical, unreal and wonderful addition to the first book and I definitely enjoyed it.

This story continues Astrid's journey as a Dragonslayer/blacksmith. I love how strong willed and set in her belief's she is. It makes her stubborn, but a little stubbornness is sometimes necessary to grow. One of the main themes I gathered from this book involved the position of women in the world. This book seems to be set in a medieval era, thus women were expected to be meek, docile, feminine and ladylike at all times, to follow their men and accept any fate presented to them. Astrid takes those ideals and buries them in the ground. She fights, makes weapons, dresses like men, and has shortened hair (all illegal events in some territories). She stands up for her rights and the rights or other women. Astrid is a true hero. This book takes us on her journey to retrieve her most prized possession, and along the way, teaches her (and us) the value of choices and change.

I loved this story and there were a few things I wish were done better. I hate shifts in narrator, thus, this book became a bit annoying as I had to determine who was the narrator for each section. I also didn't care much for the flow of the plot. At some times, the plot would move from one event to another smoothly, but later, it would seem to jump and I wouldn't be sure exactly why we are where we are. Finally, the conversations seemed very full on and immediate. There were rarely any fun or lighthearted conversations teasing or bickering someone or just relaxing. It all seemed so serious. I wanted a few jokes.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. I would recommend it for people who, like the first book, enjoy fantasy a lot. I give it 3 Stars.

Review: Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

Book: Hades
By: Alexandra Adornetto
Publication Date: August 30, 2011
Publisher: Fiewel and Friends

Description: Heaven Help Her.
Bethany Church is an angel sent to Earth to keep dark forces at bay. Falling in love was never part of her mission, but the bond between Beth and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier Woods, is undeniably strong. But even Xavier’s love, and the care of her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep Beth from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, the demon Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly, her loved ones, as well.
The story that Alexandra Adornetto built in her New York Times-bestselling debut, Halo, comes alive in action-packed and unexpected ways, as angels battle demons, and the power of love is put to the test.

My Thoughts: Hades is an interesting book that portrays the many horrors of Hell and the way the Light can always overcome Darkness.

I was super excited to read Hades because I loved Halo. It was my first Angel book I ever read and i was amazed with the general cuteness of the book. Although I liked Hades almost as much, I must admit that I didnt feel as good about it as I did Halo. I'll start with the good things first.

Bethany and Xavier's relationship is stronger than ever and it's just so cute to see how close they are. It reminds me of Twilight the way they exist within their own little bubble and can't really live without the other (dont hate me fellow Twilight Fans, I understand this book CANNOT compete with the awesomeness that is Twilight). I also loved the portrayal of Hell. It was kinda cool in an odd way. For those of you that read the excerpt, you see that Hell is like full of clubs where people have to dance forever. They have swanky expensive hotels and more. It's like someone took the 7 deadly sins, wrote them on a piece of paper, shook them up in a hat, and this is what came out. A place of mess and  ridiculousness fit for all of the crazies. Oddly, I thought it was an interesting portrayal, albiet strange. Jake was as vindictive as ever, even taking things to interesting levels (I'd definitely have started falling for him if I was Bethany, and you know, not an angel...dont judge me). I also loved the nicknames like "Big Daddy" for Lucifer. Too hilarious. For some reason it makes me thing of Scary Movie 2 (strange, I know). Regardless, this book gave me quite a few giggles, and I enjoyed it. I especially like'd the random message I got from it that Light always beats out the Dark.

Although I did enjoy it, as you can tell there was quite a bit I didn't like about it. First, I found an error, WHICH I HATE!!!! I mean, if you have a nice, big time publisher and editers and stuff, you should at least not have any errors in the final product! (okay, it was only one tiny error, but still) Second, I hated Bethany in this book even more. She has been on earth for like a year now, and has dealt with many dark forces, why the heck is she still so naive. I mean come on, EVERYONE knows not to make deals with the devil, and even more so not to trust him to follow through. She's a freaking angel. Ypou'd thing that would be like the first lesson in Angel school or wherever they learn everything. The book was kind of boring at times and I zoned out a few times and had to reread full pages. Bethany barely fought back against her capture, she spent most of her time zoning out (Trying not to add spoilers here. Once you read it you'll know why) Furthermore, if she has some super special bond and can do all these things when she has the "connection" to Xavier and earth, why didnt she use it to do and say more things that could help everyone (okay sorry for the random spoilers, dont worry about it, if you havent read the book you probably-hopefully-don't know what I'm talking about). Next, you're in HELL, I'm sure things for her could have, and should have, been worse than they were. Thats all I'm sayin about that. Why the crap is Jake so delusional all the time, and why was there no real fight at the end? Finally, this ending was the epitome of cliffhangers. I'd at least like the first sentence of the next book or something to satiate me. I know thats a personal problem I need to get over, it's necessary and blah, blah, blah, but it still frustrates me.

Despite my many negative feelings about this book. I still liked it a lot. It was an interesting read and I will be looking forward to the next book, Heaven.

If you read Hades, let me know what you think so we can compare. I'm curious to know what others thought.

Review: Anasazi by Emma Michaels

Book: Anasazi (ARC Review)
Author: Emma Michaels
Publisher: Bokheim Publishing

Description: One year ago, something happened to David. Following the only clue he had he headed out into the desert. Now he has asked me to come see him. But when I arrived, he was gone. The people in town claim they have never heard of him and everyone wants me to leave.

But I know he was here and he is in trouble.

He can’t survive out there for long.

Can he?

David. I will find you.

My Review: Anasazi was a quick and exciting read. It included plenty of humor, sassy remarks, and seemingly unrequited love.

The main character, Megan, was very interesting. She was an obvious bad chick with experience in martial arts and an interesting ability to get herself out of sticky situations. She was the humor within the book. Not only did she have a sarcastic remark for every unfortunate situation, but she had an uncanny ability to really get under the skin of those that didn't like her, and even those who did. Megan represented bravery in this strange town where she wasn't welcome, but also let us see inside her so that we could understand that she was scarred. She was very flirtatious and I absolutely loved it!

The supporting characters/drool worthy boys, Lucas and David, were very different from each other. Lucas, the shy and awkward yet sexy boy obsessing over Megan, was sweet and I found myself rooting for Megan to kiss him during the entire book. He was so sweet and seemed to be the typical "nice guy." David, Megan's night in shining armor and the one she obsessed over during the entire book, was very careful. He was the kind of character that was afraid to take things to the next step because of what may happen.

I enjoyed this book. It took me on an adventure to a land I had never imagined. However, there were a few things that I did not like. First, although Megan made the book more entertaining, the jokes and sarcastic remarks she made did not sit well with me all the time. I couldn't make the character a real person, although I liked her as a character. (Confused?) This book reminded me of those movies that come out where although the actor's can't act, its still a good movie. Next, the book seems rushed. There is a lot of information enclosed in only 190 pages. I couldn't see how she could meet all the right people, and do things at exactly the right time, and have all the right tools with her at all times (or somehow just lying around next to her). It made the story hard to believe. Last, the ending felt rushed. There were a lot of questions left unanswered. Without giving anything away: "Who was the Anasazi, like exactly?" "Why could Megan see that little man?" The biggest question is "Why oh why is does she not know the best friend's man rule when it comes to one person and knows it for the other???"

Despite those issues, the book was great. I enjoyed reading it. It kept me wanting to read, and I tended to keep wanting to read when I was away from the book, even resorting to reading-while-walking (the equivalent to texting-while-driving...i looked up when i crossed the street) Megan was sassy and kept me entertained. I enjoyed it. I will definitely read the other books in the series.