Review: Grave Sins by Jenna Maclaine

Grave Sins (Cin Craven #2) by Jenna Maclaine
Adult historical paranormal romance
Mass Market Paperback, 352 pgs.
Published Feb. 3rd, 2009 by St. Martins Press
Source: Purchased

In the arms of her lover Michael, Cin Craven has found satisfaction for her most primal longings, reaching heights of pleasure no mere human could ever imagine.  She has also found a purpose for her unearthly powers. Cin is a member of The Righteous, a band of slayers that hunts down vampires who inflict evil upon the world. With Michael by her side, Cin’s latest mission brings her face-to-face with Marrakesh, a beautiful, half-mad vampire queen charged with slaughtering humans. If she’s found guilty, Marrakesh will pay with her life. But Cin is convinced that someone —or something—far more ruthless is trying to steal the queen’s throne.. It’s a mission that will pit Michael and Cin against each other for the first time, awakening their darkest instincts and testing their love like never before…

Normally for books that aren't first in a series I don't post the description and do more of a mini review.  But this book works fine as a stand alone and there's not really any spoilers for the first book in the description.  This book takes place 13 years after the first one and plays out like a mystery.  It's historical, paranormal, mystery and romance.  


I really enjoyed the first book quite a lot, but I loved this book!  Cin is a character I love.  She's kick ass but knows right from wrong.  She's not at all struggling with what she is (a witch and a vampire) since 13 years have passed and I kind of enjoyed that.  She does have some struggles regarding some of her witch powers, but it's a minor element to the story really.   And her and Michaels relationship is great because after that many years you fall into a kind of familiarity but they still have the spark and the strong attraction toward eachother.  And they actually do run into trouble in this one but it's nice to see they are human (well, not really) and do have weaknesses.  


The mystery was pretty good and I felt like I really wasn't sure who or what the culprit was that was causing the queens 'illness'.  I actually had some ideas of the who but I was kind of clueless how or what was going on.  In the end as the mystery was revealed and all was figured out I was quite happy with how it all went.  


This is one of those comfortable books.  I didn't feel all stressed and tense while reading, but it kept me turning the pages and not wanting to put the book down.  I wanted it to go on forever but it's actually a very fast read and I read most of it in one evening before bed.  I want this series to go on forever because I really love every aspect of it.  The characters, the setting and the story itself; it's all perfect!  I very highly recommend you pick this series up!


5/5 stars!

Review: Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
Young Adult
Hardcover, 378 pgs.
Published Jan. 3rd, 2012 by Simon Pulse
Source: Purchased

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances… a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life…and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last….

I think I started this one at the wrong time, I just had a hard time getting into it.  I finally put it aside until I was more in the mood and the next time I picked it up it hit the spot much better.  It was still a bit slow but as the story went on I found myself much more engrossed in the story. 

Hudson was a character that had to grow on me.  I just wasn't feeling her at first.  But then I felt sorry for her because she had so much going on and her mother just kept piling more on her shoulders.  She had much more responsibility then any teenager should have and I felt so much anger and frustration for her.  She just let her mother walk all over her because she knew she had a lot going on herself.  Now, it sounds like her mother is bad, and she's not really- she loves Hudson she just kind of forgets she's just a kid and needs a life too.  As the story goes on Hudson learns to find her voice in some things and also becomes determined she's going to 'get out of this hole'.  I think anyone who's lived in a small town knows that feeling.  I know in my small town everyone was talking about getting out of there.  Doing something better.  It takes a lot for Hudson to realize and appreciate some of what she has.  And I understand both points.  Wanting to get out, but yet she loves her family.  And her family includes her adorable little brother whom I loved!  She also has an absent father, so that plays a role as well. 


A lot of the book takes place in the diner that Hudsons mother owns.  I can't say I really connected with this because I've never worked in a diner, but I thought it was interesting and equal parts terrifying because of the way some of the customers treat the waitresses.  I tried to waitress once and I was the kind of waitress that didn't put up with stuff, which got me fired.  Definitely not my thing.  {Oh, you're not suppose to throw wine in the rude customers face?  Hmmm...}


I really liked the main boys in the story.  Even the one that is not all good was still kind of likable.  Like he wasn't really a bad guy which I really liked in this case.  And the romance was good, though a bit frustrating cause you just want to jump in and communicate for them.  Seriously, just talk already!   I wish there was more interaction with the hockey team as a whole because I think it would have been fun, but we get the gist of how things went at practice and how things changed for the team and for Hudson.  


Overall it was a pretty good read.  It's about a girl finding herself and her happiness, friendship, romance and family. I have a feeling that my timing was off when I read this one.  I think in other circumstances I would probably rate this one higher.  I'll have to do a reread one day in the future.


3.5/5 stars


This one fits for the 2012 Young Adult Contemporary Challenge.  Click the button to find out more! 

Review: The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers by Lynn Weingarten

The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers by Lynn Weingarten
Young Adult
Hardcover, 352 pgs
Published: December 27th, 2011 by HarperTeen
Source: Amazon Vine

If there’s an upside to having your heart broken, it’s this: A broken heart makes you brave.

The first day of sophomore year doesn’t go the way Lucy planned. After a summer apart from her boyfriend, she’s ready to greet him with a special surprise and instead gets a shocking one in return: He’s breaking up with her. Beyond devastated, Lucy has no idea how she’s going to make it through homeroom, let alone the rest of her life.

Enter three stunning girls with the unnatural ability to attract boys and an offer Lucy can’t refuse: They can heal her heart in an instant. And then she’ll be one of them—a member of a sisterhood that is impervious to heartbreak and has access to magic distilled from the tears of brokenhearted boys. But to gain their power, Lucy must get a guy to fall in love with her the old-fashioned way, and then break his heart in the next seven days.

While the sisterhood may need another Heartbreaker, Lucy’s only desire is to get her ex back. But how far is she willing to go, and who is she willing to cross to get what she wants?

This book was surprisingly good.  I think I was expecting a fluffy read with shallow characters and it actually had some depth to it with a fantastic story line.  While it was still an easy and fast read I felt connected to the story and to Lucy through the entire thing.  


While Lucy may have been a touch naive I actually really 'got' her.  We see in the beginning how her love is bordering on obsession (or maybe crossed over a bit ;) and I actually really got that.  I remember when I fell in love the first time (or so I thought) and how obsessed I was and remembering those intense feelings made me really connect with Lucy and her feelings.  


The actual secret sisterhood was quite interesting.  It was hard to know if these girls are good or bad.  I kept going back and forth because they kind of seemed like a group of mean girls but then we'd see another side of them and think maybe not, maybe they are just insecure or something.  But as I read on I saw there was much more to the story and I really loved being surprised over and over and not ever really knowing for sure how things would go.


Through the story Lucy grows.  I loved seeing how she found her voice, found her inner strength and overcame her weaknesses.  She was really shy and had no self esteem to speak of and I think it's important that girls know that they don't have to have a boyfriend to be someone.  And what they believe they are is often what others believe they are.  If they find inner strength and carry themselves with confidence men/boys are more likely to be interested.  But most important- you do not have to have a boyfriend to be someone.  Even adults seem to have that problem and it's something I just don't understand.  Well, I do, but I don't agree.  


There's magic in this book and I knew that going in but wasn't sure how it would work.  It actually fit with the story perfect and worked extremely well.  It didn't feel like it was just a convenient tool, it felt right.  And it wasn't overwhelming, it was more like just a touch of magic.


Overall I thought this ended up being a fabulous read.  It turned out to be much better then I expected and I'm very pleased I took the time to read it.  I highly recommend it!  I do have to give a warning that there's a fair amount of cursing in this book.  It actually was enough for me to really notice.  It's the way teens talk, but I'm still not a fan of it being so much.  (Please note I read an ARC, the final edition may have changes.)


4/5 stars!


Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.  The final edition of the book may have slight changes from the ARC version I read.

Review: Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles #1) by Melina Marchetta
Young Adult
Hardcover, 399 pgs
Published February 9th, 2010 by Candlewick (US publication)
Source: Library

At the age of nine, Finnikin is warned by the gods that he must sacrifice a pound of flesh to save his kingdom. He stands on the rock of the three wonders with his friend Prince Balthazar and Balthazar's cousin, Lucian, and together they mix their blood to safeguard Lumatere.

But all safety is shattered during the five days of the unspeakable, when the king and queen and their children are brutally murdered in the palace. An impostor seizes the throne, a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere's walls, and those who escape are left to roam the land as exiles, dying by the thousands in fever camps.

Ten years later, Finnikin is summoned to another rock--to meet Evanjalin, a young novice with a startling claim: Balthazar, heir to the throne of Lumatere, is alive. This arrogant young woman claims she'll lead Finnikin and his mentor, Sir Topher, to the prince. Instead, her leadership points them perilously toward home. Does Finnikin dare believe that Lumatere might one day rise united? Evanjalin is not what she seems, and the startling truth will test Finnikin's faith not only in her but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny.

In a bold departure from her acclaimed contemporary novels, Printz Medalist Melina Marchetta has crafted an epic fantasy of ancient magic, feudal intrigue, romance, and bloodshed that will rivet you from the first page.

In a high fantasy, a true epic fantasy there are a lot of elements I expect and need in my story.  I need to feel it.  To really feel transported into the story through the authors use of words and language and not feel overwhelmed with lengthy descriptions at the same time.  I need the characters to be truly strong, to have weaknesses but overcome things, to be forever surprised by their actions and decisions.  To never know how things might turn out.  I like when a character that is once bad becomes good, when you really have no idea which way things might go.  When a book is truly epic I want to cry because the beauty of the words, the tragedy of the story and epicness of the romance moves me.  This book, this book did all that and more.   


There is no way any words I put in this review can express the amazingness of this book.  But if you're a fantasy lover there's no way you shouldn't read this book {haven't read fantasy? This is a great place to start!}.  It's brilliant, it's tragic, and it's epic.  Things are revealed through out the entire thing that shocked me over and over again and constant surprises, never ever knowing what could happen is always good.  The characters blew me away.  Finnikin wasn't always the most likable guy in the world but that made him more real.  And as he grows as a character and as we get to see more of him he's very easy to fall in love with as he has some true inner strength and a heart you can't help but love.  Evanjalin, well, she's one character you have to get to know yourself.  But I can tell you that I have rarely seen a character with the strength she has.


I could talk about this book forever but you really need to go into it without really knowing much because I think you'll just enjoy it more.  All I can tell you now is go read it!  This is what a true high {epic} fantasy is all about!  It's one book that I'll be thinking about for a very long time!


5/5 stars!

In My Mailbox (94)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and is where we share the books we got through the week.  

I went NUTS this week!  I seriously need like an intervention or something.  I can't stop buying more!  Some are fine, like I needed the next in a series and I needed the first in another series because I got the third for review, etc.  But some I really could have lived without.  I mean, I didn't think so when I got them, but honestly- who knows when I'll be able to get them read! 

First of all, the amazing Denise Jaden sent some AWESOME swag! I put the magnet on my fridge but the rest is for spreading the word of her books, Losing Faith and Never Enough (out in July).

Review:

The Drowning Girl by Caitlin R. Kiernan (have any of you read her books?  It sounds interesting but wasn't on my radar at all so I'm curious...)  Out March 6th, 2012

Fair Game (Alpha and Omega #3) by Patricia Briggs (March, 2012)

Gifts:

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (ARC) by Emily M. Danforth

Thank You Lori at Pure Imagination!  I'm SO excited to read this one!

Wizards First Rule (Sword of Truth #1) by Terry Goodkind

Thank you Natalie at Mindful Musings!

Have you guys watched the show Legend of the Seeker?  It was canceled after two seasons but I absolutely LOVE it and that show is based on these books.

Bought:

Most of these were bought for like $1.  Super cheap!  A couple were $4 though...

Black Night (Madeline Black #2) by Christina Henry

I read the first one a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed it!

Phoenix Rising (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #1) by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

I read this book before it's release last year and loved it!  But I didn't own a copy so now I do!

Stranger (The Blades of the Rose #4) by Zoe Archer

I adore this cover!  I had Zoe on last year and have been dying to read her books! Of course I still need to get the first three...

Stone of Tears (Sword of Truth #2) by Terry Goodkind

Even though I haven't read the first one yet I found this one used for cheap but it looks brand new.  And finding used fantasy books that don't have a broken spine is near impossible so I couldn't pass it up!

The Guardian (Dream Hunter #5) by Sherrilyn Kenyon 

I'm frustrated because I looked it up and it according to amazon on my phone it was a stand alone, or more of a companion.  I'm not sure, do these need to be read in order?

The Dream Hunter (Dark-Hunter #10) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Once again, my app said this was not a series.  Like it was a stand alone.  But it's in new condition so maybe I'll give it away.  Or I'll trade it.  Unless these can be read without reading the others.  

Spy Glass (Glass #3) by Maria V. Snyder

I need to get the first two still.  But this was really cheap so I couldn't pass it up.

Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega #1) by Patricia Briggs

Got the third one for review but needed to start the series! 

Huge thank you to Natalie and Lori for the gifts, Penguin for the review books, goodwill for the good deals and Cover to Cover Books for having awesome books I couldn't live without!