I Will Have My Revenge

It takes two people to keep a secret, and in Frances's case she is one of the only ones left who can reveal the truth. When the luxury yacht, Persephone, overtakes a tragic end, Frances and her friend, Libby, appear to be the only two who escape. Days later, Frances survives and is rescued by Libby's father; she then discovers there were two other people who witnesses the tragedy: Senator Wells and his son, Grey. However, Grey and his father lie about the outcome of the event claiming it was a rouge wave that overtook the ship, but this was not what Frances remembers from that day. Her

parents, Libby's mother, and every person on board that yacht were murdered in front of her.
Knowing the truth, Libby's father offers Frances safety and a chance for new life by taking on Libby's identity. However removed she gets from the tragedy, Frances cannot forget the pain and suffering and continues to plot her revenge against her one time love, Grey, and his father.
As she slips seamlessly into Libby's new life, and her plan becomes more and more real,  Frances comes faced with countless obstacles in achieving her plan. And, when it comes down to it, will she be able to betray Grey? Or has someone else plotted to silence her for good?

Carrie Ryan's Daughter of Deep Silence is a thriller that revolves around the idea of retribution. I am a huge fan of Ryan's work as I read her other series, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, twice through. Her writing is great, and she has this way of creating such a connection between the reader and the heroine. Frances finds herself suddenly orphaned with no one and no life to return to after the tragedy. Libby's father takes her in and gives her a life, but you can still sense her anger, her pain, and of course her need for revenge. She has plotted and planned; the lengths she goes to for this plan to succeed is truly remarkable. Every single detail down to the name of the senator's secretary has been thought through and thoroughly placed.
I marked this as a "self-discovery" book because throughout Frances becomes less Libby and truly begins to realize who Frances is and was. It is evident to readers the need for revenge has overtaken Frances and Libby's identities so the line between real and fiction is fading. The journey this novel takes is definitely suspenseful. Honestly, I feel it was a great thriller that truly left readers wondering who are the Wells's covering for, and what happens when they catch on that "Libby" is alive and on their trail. Definitely a great read with a unexpected end.

Hello Flowers.

The Cellar by Natasha Preston started, for me anyway, with the pretty covers. I know it's always about the color and the cover design. Upon reading the back cover, I was interested. As I started reading, I became terrified. I think this may have been a contributing factor as to why it took me a while to finish. *By the way, I did finish this and the next book a few months ago, however time has been escaping me lately. Again, my apologies.*

The story starts off with Summer Robinson and her utmost perfect life. She's a pretty teenager with a super caring and loving boyfriend, her family seems all too perfect. One evening, Summer went out to meet her friends at the local club, yes I know clubs are for older people but for some reason they can get in I think it takes place in England...I don't know, but she never makes it. Summer is kidnapped by a man only known as "Clover" who seems to be mistaking her for a girl named Lily.  She was drugged, and upon her coming to, Summer finds herself in the cellar of this man's home where she meets three of her "sisters": Rose, Poppy, and Violet. She was not being mistaken for Lily, this man has renamed her in order to fit into his perfect family.

Summer soon discovers these three women were also abducted, but none had a home, a family, or any kind of life to go back to. Each morning, the four women must dress in almost identical clothes to sit down at breakfast where Clover greets them. Then they have the entire day while the man of the house is at work to read, watch movies, or just sit idling. Clover puts on this persona of a fake family to come home to because he has no one to call his own. The women are given a home and expected to obey. The flowers are a symbol of how everything grows together; and now Summer finds herself expecting to be the perfect "Lily" in order to blend into the family.

Weeks turn to months, but Summer is still optimistic that her family and the love of her life, Louis, will find her somehow. However, the cellar is always locked, and even when opportunity strikes for escape, Summer has seen the result of those who try to cross Clover. Summer must continually keep herself strong in the hopes that one day she will be able to be free; but first she must endure the torture Clover has in store- which in reality is just becoming a family filled with love, affection, and perhaps once he has known his "flower" for a longer time, much needed sexual release. The other women seem delusional, but there is this constant hope within Summer, as well as her family members, to get her back home.

Quite honestly there were a lot of times in this novel I was legitimately scared. The villain, Clover, is a psycho. He slips into everyday life by having a normal job, a normal life, and when he does go shopping for clothes he always seems to have the right answers to draw suspicion away. It was actually terrifying to know how easy it was to kidnap and hold these women, and it was even worse to know the man considered them his "family". It makes you really consider serial killers, serial rapists, and kidnappers.

I believe the story ended a little conveniently, but I don't think the author could ethically ended it differently. You travel with this young naive protagonist through the horror of murder, rape, and kidnapping; your only hope is the light at the end, even if it's death for some. I did give this story 4 stars on Good reads because it was well written and it caused me to have these feelings of fear. In fact there were a few nights when I had legit nightmares of events. There are other novels Preston wrote with a similar premise, but I think I want to skip those. The book is very close to real life and the mind of a psychopath, so I feel one is enough to give me a good view on what we see. Be my guest to keep going. The book was easy to get through...physically anyway. 

I Believe I'm Not in Kansas Anymore...

It's been a while, and that's on me. It takes a while to find the time to read lately, but I did finally finish this one:
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Page is set in a small town in Kansas, where we meet Amy Gumm. Amy lives in a trailer with her neglectful and absent mother and is misunderstood. She doesn't seem to fit in anywhere, and all just seems lost. When a tornado hits her trailer, Amy is transported to Oz, where things are not as "peachy" as the tale might make us think.

Dorothy became the leader of Oz, but her all powerful demeanor raised a city of evil. She's selfish in her ways, kills the innocent before they can object, and controls all. The scarecrow has a brain, which he now uses to experiment and kill the traitors of Dorothy's power, the Tin Man has fallen so deeply in love with her highness that he would do anything to protect her, and the Lion seems to have trans mutated into a horrible beast set to eat and kill. The good witch, Glinda, hoards the power and forces the munchkins to work the long and brutal hours to appease the queen, and the Wizard doesn't even seem to be there.

All seems lost, until Amy is rescued by the side of evil; and they are convinced she will be the one to kill Dorothy and bring order back to Oz. Amy is trained, sent undercover, and the entire time her team of "wicked witches" hopes that she can succeed in this mission. If she fails, Oz is going to get a whole lot darker.

So usually when books take me a while to finish it's because I don't have the time, but in this case....I think it's just because I wasn't interested. I mean don't get me wrong, the whole "dark Oz" was very cool. It was neat how everything transformed into death and despair and how Dorothy's ultimate goal was to keep all the magic and just get more powerful, so she is no longer that innocent girl from Kansas. However, it took almost the entire book to lead up to Amy being "ready" to fight Dorothy. We only meet Dorothy when she captures her in the beginning, and then it isn't until the last few chapters we see her again. The focus is strictly on the side of "evil", or good depending on how you see it. And...not to put in a spoiler, but Dorothy doesn't even die. You have to read the next book in the series to find out what happens from here...so I almost felt like...why did it take so long? I get it! The author wants to keep you on edge for the next book, but I felt like there was so much build up and not enough actual action. When there was action and fighting it seemed too short.

The book had a good concept, but I just felt it fell short in a lot of different areas. I have no interest in continuing the story, so I will not be reading the other books in the saga. I just didn't care about the characters or the whole idea of making the greater Oz and saving the city. It was kind of a bust for me. It was easy to read and follow, but it makes you aggravated because the story line just takes too long.

Don't Open...Dead Inside

Of course I am into The Walking Dead t.v series on AMC. I mean at this point you either like the show, or you haven't seen enough of it to form an opinion. Because come on....who really dislikes it?


I always said I wanted to read the comics, The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore, because a lot of people said they were so good; plus I heard the show goes in a significantly different direction than the books. Luckily, the boy has 1-17, so I borrowed them. I was going through a reading slump, but graphic novels (a.k.a comics) go so quickly.

Quite honestly, I am enjoying the comics. Rick is still a bad ass, events are still accurate to the series timeline, but of course there are different things along the way. I mean the major thing is Daryl is not in the comic. So the entire first issue I am waiting for the redneck with the cross bow, however I keep reminding myself that he and Merle do not exist in the comic book world. They are not the only character that Hollywood embellished. Let's be real, the comics have a lot of detail Hollywood either left out, or just chose to go in another direction with.

The comics are well done; I love the art work, and the story is just so great. I am so glad I picked these up because it does make you fall in love with The Walking Dead and the characters so much more. I know things are missing, but I watch the series for the enjoyment value at this point. I hope to get through the series of comics quickly, which shouldn't be too hard because they go so quickly. And they are thoroughly entertaining. HIGHLY recommend. And if you haven't seen the series...NETFLIX BING THAT! If not for the story...at least do it for Daryl. :p

Where's the Humor in Death?

It has been a long time...too much work stress, too many papers to grade, just too much. But nevertheless I am back with a book I just finished a few weeks ago.

 Me Earl and The Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews was one of those books I picked up simply because they came out with the movie and it looked interesting. No, I did not see the movie, and after reading the book I don't know if I will. I feel there didn't need a movie because, honestly, we didn't have to have a visual to understand the concept of this book. Okay, maybe I'll watch it eventually...but you know what I mean.

Greg has made it clear that he is going to lay low, fit in with everyone, and therefore fly under everyone's radar his senior year. He has succeeded at this; in fact most people acknowledge his existence, but he doesn't fit into any one group in particular. He and his best friend, Earl, hang out discussing movies; in fact the two have dabbled in the film making aspect. They aren't great films, but the two of them enjoy the secret of their craft. Senior year was starting as planned, until Greg's mom tells him about his "friend", Rachel. Rachel has cancer, and despite the treatments and the fight, she is sick and in desperate need of a friend. So, naturally, Greg's mother volunteers him for the job. After the first encounter with Rachel, Greg's picture perfect high school plan becomes a thing of the past. The next few months prove to be embarrassing and awkward, but Greg and Earl begin to realize that perhaps that's just a part of life.

I was laughing pretty much the entire time with this one. Andrews has a great way with humor and capturing the true essence of a high school teenage boy. It has a similar concept to John Green's A Fault in Our Stars, but this one seems more real. Greg is inconvenienced by his mother's request to be friends with this girl he had no intention of friending. She's odd, laughs weird, and is not someone he wants to intentionally go out of his way to make feel better. Yet, as time passes he warms to the idea of Rachel and making her feel better.

No, it's not a love story which was SO nice because after reading 15 million reviews on how romantic and loving John Green's book was I was over it. The ending isn't exactly expected, but that was not a bad thing.
The book was a very easy read, hilarious, and just nice. It's nice to have a book about disease that has real emotion so it's easier to relate to the characters and story. Definitely worth the read; it goes really quick and will have it's moments where you laugh out loud- which of course causes people to look at you and wonder in public. Oh well.

We'll Pull Out These Memories...and They'll Make Us Feel Safe

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson expresses a fresh take on a common mental illness. Most of Anderson's novels reflect realistic issues; this one, however, drives away from direct teenager problem and the focus is how mental illness affects life as a whole.

Hayley and her father have been on the road for years. After he returned from the war, her father was deeply affected with post traumatic stress; therefore driving from state to state and desperately trying trying to find enough money to pay for food became a way of life. However, senior year was when Hayley's father chose to settle in his mother's old house. Despite Hayley's attempts to get them on track, her father continues to go in and out of an alcoholic state, and the adjustment to public school is not an easy road.

As her story continues, Hayley is affected by the memory of her childhood; her father's absence, her step mother's alcoholism, her grandmother's loving touch and care. Her father slowly begins to spin further out of control; between his alcoholism, recreational drug use, and inconsistent temper its no wonder her life is a complete tornado.
When Hayley meets Finn, a charming swimmer from school, she tries to put a wall up to avoid anyone getting too close to her. The more time she spends with him, however, the more she realizes the two aren't so different. But her happiness seems to be a sham because she realizes her life will never be the picture perfect dream she could ever hope for.

The concept of Anderson's novels usually reflect a teen who needs to find their way. Her father's mental illness continues to affect Hayley to a point where she cannot even consider her own future without worrying she'll be leaving her father in a state of depression and despair. Her past troubles resurface, but it isn't until she begins to accept and move forward that she realizes life is hers to live.
This novel goes inside the brain of a past veteran, but also shows how one can accept and live with the memories too painful to forget. Finn's character provides comic relief, but he also serves as an anchor that Hayey desperately needs. His life is no happily ever after either, and the more she finds out, the more she is able to open up and take down the wall she has surrounding her.

I honestly believe this book will give readers, especially young adults, a new view on post traumatic stress. It's something heard about, but never truly understood. And although the veterans are the ones who suffer internally, the impact it has on a family, however broken they are, is devastating.

I Realize Now that Dying is Easy. Living is Hard...

It has been a while, but crappy freshmen essays seemed to be holding me back from reading. *Gasp* I know, an English teacher who has too many essays to grade. Crazy.

This was one of those independent reading books that all the girls read and loved, so of course, it was my turn. And luckily, I didn't get swept up in the movie craze so I was able to read the book first. I have to admit If I Stay by Gayle Forman took me a while simply because of how sad it was. I was going through an emotional period of time, and I knew that if I read this book at a steady pace, I would be bawling.  

Mia Hall is a senior in high school with a loving family, a wonderful and supportive boyfriend, and a promising future. She applied to the Julliard music program for the cello, and all signs point to acceptance. Her boyfriend, Adam, has a band that is just beginning to take off, and her family is picture perfect. Then tragedy strikes. Mia and her family are in a car accident; She finds herself watching the events to follow from the sidelines, literally, and realizes she is at the in-between stage. She isn't dead yet; this is the choice she must make.

This novel is full of flash backs of Mia's past, her worries about the future with Adam and her choice to attend the music school in New York, and her family. Mia has lost her family, this much she knows, but her decision to stay on earth with whatever she has left is a struggle. Everything tells her to give in and let go, but there are still things she is desperately trying to hold onto.

The novel gives a new meaning to the idea of strength. Mia is a teenager who has lost everything she knew, yet she has to make the decision to hang on in hopes of being strong, or to let go in hopes that she and the rest of her friends and family can move on.

Every turn of the page was full of emotion. Forman made so many references to music- classical, rock, punk- so it made it even more interesting. I mean who doesn't like a Nirvana "Something in the Way" reference?
This was a great read; sad and very emotional, but worth it. Mia's strength, her character, and everything that surrounds her makes her choice harder, but she shows us that choice is exactly what everyone has.

Some Secrets Refuse to Stay Buried...

I wish I can say the book was as good as the tag line, but alas not so much.
Dan Crawford finds himself going to a summer program at a college that was an old asylum at one point. This asylum was said to have housed many dangerous criminals and those in need of psychiatric care. This is a typical old asylum: electric shock, lobotomies, and dusty old rooms filled with files on those patients that could not be saved.
I had high hopes for this novel because I read the description, and the pictures inside are actual photos of abandoned old asylums. So I thought it was a pretty cool concept. However, Asylum by Madeleine Roux was a waste and a disappointment.

The very first thing you notice is how completely clueless and awkward the main character is. Sometimes that is a good thing, but Dan just has something about him that makes you want to hug him, pat him gently on the shoulder, or just completely shake your head. You're not really sure what to do with him. Enter his two friends, Jordan: a gay rebel who hasn't told his parents he's even at this program, and Abby: typical artsy girl and (of course) Dan's love interest.
One of the things that confused me the most was the mood swings Abby and Jordan had. Halfway through the book the two of them just get angry and take turns huffing and puffing while leaving Dan in the dark. To say Dan is the most normal character in the book, or the most likeable anyway, is really something. Not a good something. The more characters enter, the more weird things get. And I don't think this "weird" was what the author was going for.
Abby, Jordan, and Dan have an obsession with going into the closed off corridor where the creepy psych patient's files are. So they meander in there a few things, each time Dan gets creeped out by notes left for him, pictures, his name even pops up on a few of the files.
Turns out, Dan is adopted (who knew) and he's a relative of the old warden of the asylum...shocker I know. So OF COURSE he's getting creepy flashbacks, weird messages, etc. But it's really hard to follow and not because the writing is complicated, just simply because I was unclear what the hell was going on. One minutes Dan receives a note that has a cryptic message on it, the next he has a weird flashback where he's on a gurney waiting to be operated on, and then he starts to see weird shadows. What. The. Hell.

People start to die, get injured, and panic. The cops all start to question Dan because he seems to always be in the area when these things happen. Abby finds out her Aunt was a patient in this old asylum, Jordan has his gay freak out about disappointing his parents...you get the picture.

I can say the ending came as a surprise, but I pretty much rushed through it because I just wanted it to end. Even with the ending I didn't feel any real closure to the book. There's a cliff hanger, but to be honest, I didn't really give a crap enough to even read the first page of the second book.  I think the author had a great idea and a really neat concept...but nothing is really explained. Plot points are unaddressed, characters enter and leave so quickly you are unsure who the hell they are, and the main theme itself is not something that keeps my attention. Roux could have done so much with the concept of the abandoned asylum turned college; she could have amplified her characters so they had more important roles and were easier to relate to; and for the love of God she could have explained key things that would have been VERY HELPFUL to have knowledge about.
Not a great read on this one. I am not deterring people from reading this, but I strongly recommend going in with the idea that you will be disappointed. It's too bad because the covers are cool and the overall idea behind the pictures and the plot were interesting. It's just disappointing.

A Lady Never Starts A Fight, But She'll Finish It

Harper Price has everything- she's super smart and the president of practically every club/ association, she's popular with a super hot boyfriend, and she is a shoo in for Homecoming Queen this year. Perfect. Except when the janitor dies and passes on his magic powers to her. And then she is forced to kill her history teacher with her brand new powers.
Harper soon discovers she has been given the powers of a Paladin, a guardian who must protect the Oracle at all cost. And her Oracle...her arch enemy since grade school- David. With the help of her Cotillion trainer and Mage (who maintains the balance between Oracle and Paladin), Saylor, Harper begins to realize the ancient ties that unite all three of these powers, and she might even be thinking about David a little too often. But there are people who want David dead, and worse. With the knowledge they all possess, Harper must find the the evil and protect David at all cost, even if it means risking her life.

This is one of those moments I judged a book by its cover. But come on- it is pretty :). Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins takes place in the south, so one can get the whole feel of this overly dressed, overly polished, and overly polite world. I felt it was perfect because it added a little charm, which is always nice when reading high school realistic fiction. Harper is the typical popular girl, but she's not mean girls. Her sister was killed in a car accident, and Harper tries to overachieve in order to escape the hole she feels.
As the story goes on- the Paladin, Oracle, Mage paranormal creatures do seem interesting. It fits, no matter how crazy, and it doesn't feel forced. As the novel goes on you get a good balance of the life Harper desperately is trying to hold onto and the life she might have to give up to save David. Harper is not a push over, but she is typical Susie High School. It gets a little fluff-ish- but once the end comes it is unexpected and completely twisted.
The author did a nice job of connecting the two, but let's say what it really is- a quick fluff read with a
little splash of paranormal elements.
I thought it was entertaining; I will definitely read the next in the series, but it is not to be confused with  Infinite or Chemical Gardens Trilogy. Rebel Belle is cute, fun, and yes, a little risque. Worth a read if you need a filler between series, or you are just looking for a quick pick me up.

It Is So Hard To Leave-Until You Leave. And Then It Is The Easiest Goddammed Thing In The World

Quentin Jacobsen is 3 weeks away from graduating high school. He has dealt with the harassment from the popular crew, video gamed with his two best friends, and loved Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. On the night Margo climbs through his window with an all night adventure of revenge and thrills planned, Q begins to feel hopeful that maybe things can change. 
However, the next day he discovers Margo has run away, but she leaves a string of clues behind.  When no one goes looking, Q makes it his mission to read the clues carefully so he can be the one to bring her home. The clues include old records, graffiti walls, and Walt Whitman's poem Song of Myself. Throughout the last weeks of school, Q accomplishes much more for himself, and others, than just figuring out the clues Margo has left. But does she want to be found, and can he accept what he might discover if he does find her again?

 While I was reading John Green's Paper Towns, I noted how familiar it was to his other coming of age story, Looking for Alaska. And although I have not jumped on the teen bandwagon yet,  I am going to go out on a limb and say that it has a similar feel to A Fault in Our Stars. It seems all of these stories have a similar theme, characters, and overall ending with a very familiar moral.
However similar it may be, I was able to connect to the characters in a way that made me want to keep the adventure going.
In Q's journey you want to smack him upside the head while screaming, "Just leave her be, you idiot!" However, after finishing and having a chance to digest the novel, it wasn't about getting the girl; it was about the journey. Q and his friends are at a golden age where there is a door closing, yet so many opportunities laid out for them. Margo rejects these opportunities and chooses her own path on her own terms. Q is almost unable to deal with this idea. He has this complete picture of "saving her", "being with her", and "fixing things", but as a reader you start to wonder if he will be disappointed by the end result. Q has to come to terms with his high school door closing, and he needs to accept the change going forward; perhaps Margo is not willing to accept the change in herself.

Green creates these male characters who have to come to life realizations on their own, but not until they deal with this strong female figure. I love this idea, and the story is more relate-able because the pull you feel to the characters is more genuine and real. Some aspects to the story are a little outlandish: Can readers really believe that two high school kids have the ability to break into SeaWorld at night, no. But Margo is an interesting character who shows strength in a different way, which leads to this obsession Q has for her, and later on, shows him the strength he has inside.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars because when it comes down to it, I liked Looking for Alaska a little better. I liked the idea of finding your way out of your own labyrinth, and even though there is more adventure in this novel, there was just something about Alaska that I liked better than Margo. Don't get me wrong, this is definitely a feel good read as well; I read it quickly, and I was completely entertained with the high school antics going on throughout the pages. And yes, there are laugh out loud funny pieces of dialogue, so that is always a fun ride.
Green's writing also amazes me because there are so many thought provoking quotations that you can take away. His novels, at least the two I have read, are about real problems, real change, and dealing with real loss. His characters grow, and that is the most heart warming part, no matter what your view is of teen fiction.

~What a treacherous thing it is to believe that a person is more than a person~

Secrets Can Be Dangerous and Destroy a Reputation

 The scene is Manhattan 1899; beautiful women in grand dresses, handsome men, and lots of wealth to go around. The Hollands are a prestigious family among the city, however they have their fair share of secrets to hide. Elizabeth, the oldest daughter, is prim and proper on the outside, however her love affair with the stable boy, Will, is something locked up tight that no one can know about. After all, she is their only hope for family stability, considering her younger sister, Diana, is a spit fire. Diana is sixteen, unable to listen to rules, however she has a certain charm to her. And she has caught the eye of eligible bachelor, Henry Schoonmaker. 

Henry's family is also well regarded, however he appears to be a bachelor who won't grow up. Until his father forces him into an engagement that would be best for both families involved.
Then there is Penelope Hayes who is the city's favorite lady to gossip about. With her risque choice of clothing and behavior, it is no wonder she has caught so much of the city's limelight. She and Elizabeth are depicted as complete opposites in the press, yet the two are the best of friends. However, Penelope's hopes and desires come to a screeching halt when Elizabeth is promised to Henry; Henry whom she adores, spends secret rendezvous with, and whom she expected to be married to. And we haven't even mentioned Lina, Elizabeth's maid who only has eyes for Will, but will soon discover a secret about the Hollands that will make her despise Elizabeth.
In this small city, the gossip wire runs pretty thick with scandals, secrets, and backstabbing. How fair are these women able to go in order to achieve their ultimate passions?


 The Luxe Series by Anna Godbersen is a very dramatic series. The best way to describe this series is candy that can rot your teeth, but you eat it anyway. Readers do read on because we crave the scandal too. I think the author did a great job of making this gossipy between characters, but not creating a new "Gossip Girl" or "Pretty Little Liars", which are complete trash. The Luxe describes the Manhattan scene during the time period, and she does an awesome job of developing a good list of characters that readers can relate to. Everyone wants the good girls to win, but there is something so intriguing about the mean girls. The men are handsome and delicious, the women have lavish dresses and personalities, and the whole scene is overrun with an exquisite and juicy plot that envelopes all the characters into a world of betrayal.

I am rereading this series because it is truly amazing. It's a well written gossip column that makes readers laugh and cringe at the same time. You have your favorites, you see how the scene unfolds, and in the end, I felt all the characters got what they deserved. DEFINITELY worth a read; it's quick, it's easy, but it's truly something that is so fun you forget you're reading. Plus the covers are so pretty!!

No Where Left to Hide

Dawn Montgomery has lost every inch of safety she and the city of Denver believe they have. Once Sin, the Daywalker, showed the city that Vampires can now walk in the daylight, no one seems safe.
To make matters worse, Dawn has lost her title as the city delegate. Her relationship with Victor puts him and her at risk in this position, but also there was the whole blood transfer; Victor took Dawn's blood so he could survive, leaving her all but drained.
Ever since Dawn left the hospital, she's been having weird dreams about a vampire symbol. Desperately seeking answers, no one, not even the Old Family vampires seems to know what this means. She's also been having dreams with Victor: they are just dreams, but it seems so real.

To make matters even more crazy, Dawn has been sent to California on the Night train to track the Thirst that is so vast in the vampire population. On her journey, she meets Ian, famous vampire hunter who, along with her Nightwatchmen and ex boyfriend, Michael, have vowed to keep her safe. What Dawn discovers on this trip is the both the most amazing, yet horrifying conclusion. No one expected the Thirst and the Daywalkers to be a threat, but now there really is no where to hide.

Blood-Kissed Sky by J.A London is the second in the Darkness Before Dawn trilogy. Like the first, the story is an interesting take on a dystopic society where vampires and humans coexist. In the first novel, Dawn has the power of the delegate where she speaks to the Vampire lord. However, things have changed. Victor overthrew his father, Dawn discovered her brother was infected with the Thirst, and Sin is a new breed of vampire that can risk the safety and security the world had tried so long to rebuild.
As I said with the first one, very different from the whole romantic, teen drama. The plot holes, however, do continue a bit. There are certain areas where you as a reader go, "Really? How does that work", but it is a good overall story.
Like the first one, the ending was unexpected, yet it made sense.
I have to say this novel did make me feel more indifferent towards Victor. Yea, I get that he's the new overlord of his family, but something seems off. He actually is only really present in this book a handful of times, so I really think London did a great job of showing not too much romance, but just enough to remind the reader it exists. The concept is nice and different, so when the end of the book came, I realized this was not the type of book I could simply put down and not continue it. Like a handful in the past...
It's a quick read, an easy read, but the concept is definitely enough to keep an interest. Sure, you are annoyed with the main character at times, but she has proven she can manage to think for herself and be strong when the situation requires.
Also, the covers and titles are so intriguing. I definitely feel like London overshadows his few moments of plot holes once you see the title. Very clever, very pretty.

Only Sunlight Can Save Us

In a distant future, Vampires roam the United States and coexist. The war has ended between both species, but a wall separates the potential danger. Even though both sides have a mutual agreement on blood supply, less humans want to donate, so more vampires become desperate to feed. Dawn's parents were the official delegates for Lord Valentine, and they were killed doing a standard visit. As a result, Dawn was named the youngest, new delegate. Visits to Valentine Manor are typical and expected from her job description, but that doesn't mean she is unable to handle the pressure.
Her last night with no worries and partying turns into an almost fatal run in with vampires, until Victor saves her and her best friend, Tegan. Dawn never expects to see him again, let alone find out he is Valentine's son.

Desperately trying to increase the blood supply, Dawn is pressed for time, but unwilling to be intimidated by an old family Vamp...or his son. As time goes on, Victor begins to show a softer side; one that Dawn never expected from a vampire. Now, her thoughts are filled with Victor, her soon to be Night Watchmen boyfriend, Michael, and her recent stalker (who may just be one of Valentine's lackeys willing to strike at any time).
The world continues to spin out of control when her mentor is attacked, Victor expressed his need to over throw his father, and even though Tegan seems happy with the new guy, Sin, there is definitely something different about him. Can Dawn handle the pressure, and will she give in to what her heart's ultimate desire is?

Darkness Before Dawn by J.A London begins with a typical Vampire vs Humans story line. Yes, it has a little True Blood vibe to it. To be honest, I wanted to read it so bad because Barnes and Nobles did not have it in stock, and the cover to the third one, which WAS in stock, was pretty and interesting. The minute I started reading I went in neutral; not knowing what to expect. However, it is QUITE different from Twilight, so please don't let the vampire/human thing scare you off.
The characters are very one dimension; there isn't much to them other than typical high school issues. Dawn is a strong female character, but only because the job forced her to be. She wants to prove she is a force to be reckoned with, but readers get a little confused when they realize...this 18 year old is the only communication between the Vampire race and the humans? It seems odd and even odder that the government trusts a teenager in charge of such affairs.
Get past the immediate confusing plot holes, and it reads just like a typical teen drama. Dawn has the good looking, protective boyfriend, her best friend is boy obsessed, and aside from the drama in school, all teenagers are armed with stakes and some background in self-defense. Victor shows up, and he is just different; not in a sparkle sparkle kind of way. He rescues the girls from a vampire attack, but suddenly Dawn discovers he is one. Victor's heart is gentle, and he begins to show Dawn the other parts of the city she is not so aware of. He shows her a different side to the vampire race and explains to her why he must dethrone his father, so her hate for the race begins to dissolve. 
As much as I seem off about this book, I did, actually, enjoy it. The plot was not so romance related to be nauseating, and the end of the book did actually come as a surprise to me. The more the story continued, I was siding with Victor and wanting for the two worlds to reunite and for everyone to live in harmony. Fat chance, as with all "too good to be true" moments, but it was a good thought.
It is a trilogy, so I grabbed the second one to continue to story. The author did a nice job of making me care because the amount of plot holes in the beginning may have been enough to deter a lot of people.
Don't expect too much from it, but it's a good read. It's quick, a little different, and far from the whole sparkle vampire, sexy werewolf, and desperate, uninteresting main heroine.

Two Hearts, One Destiny

Scarlett and Rosie March are sisters, best friends, and hunters. They hunt Fenris, werewolves who stalk and kill young girls. Years ago, Scarlett saved Rosie's life from a Fenris; however, no act of courage goes without some tragedy. Ever since the day their grandmother was killed and Scarlett lost her eye, both girls have been hunting these werewolves, hoping to put an end to their existence.
Their long time friend, Silas, returns from his trip, only to realize that the Fenris population is gaining. Scarlett discovers in order for them to keep fighting, they need to go to Atlanta where the 3 packs ( Bell, Coin, and Arrow) are planning to hunt down their Potential. Once they find this specific wolf, they could gain power among the other packs, but it is up to the three friends to find the Potential first.

On their hunting spree,  Rosie discovers she may not have hunting in her soul as her sister does; also she thinks she may be falling in love with Silas. But what would a huntsman of 21 years old want with her? The more the trio encounters, the more danger they find themselves in. Finally, they see the end in sight, but are they willing to come face to face with the truth, or will it separate them and change their lives?

Sister Red by Jackson Pearce first caught my attention because of the Red Riding Hood angle. The story paints a different picture from the classic fairy tale, but it shows the true heart of both these sisters. Scarlett is fearless and married to the hunt, whereas Rosie is constantly repaying the service her sister did for her years before, but she has a different life path and different desires. Silas helps to convince Rosie of her abilities and experiences outside of hunting; he tries to help her free herself from the hunt and constant turmoil it causes.
Bottom line, there is not much to this book character wise. All three characters are clearly labeled, and they stay this way throughout the novel.
The one thing I really liked about this book was there were different twists that I did not expect. This may be a fluff read, but the sudden plot changes did impress me and cause me to react. Yes, I gasped a few times out loud, which did result in odd looks by my fellow gym members. Oh well.
The ending was not as expected, and Rosie does surprise readers with her abilities and strengths that we did not assume she possessed.
It's a quick read, there's not much to it, but it's worth it if you are interested in warped fairy tales. Definitely an interesting take on a classic. 

My Greatest Fear is Disappearing

Ally's life seemed perfect: star actress, popular, she's on the dance team with all the upperclassmen girls constantly watching her, and the senior football player says he loves her. But once a naked picture is streamlined throughout the school, her picture perfect life is suddenly shattered. Her friends ignore her, and the words "whore" and "slut" are tossed around frequently. Ally remembers the roof, wanting so badly to jump, but she doesn't remember what happened before or after. Now she finds herself in the hallway, the in-between.

Elijah has always been in love with Ally, but steered clear after his own brush with death. After his brother's suicide, Elijah's life has fallen apart, but he managed to surmount his pain and power through, only now he can see ghosts, and he knows he needs to try to help Ally find her way back.
Her pain is so strong, and as her memory comes back Ally sees that maybe she won't be able to come through on the other side. Can Elijah make Ally see that getting through the pain is worth it? Or will Ally succumb to the pain and stay at death's door forever?

Forget Me Not by Carolee Dean centers around the raw emotion of pain and uselessness. Feeling a sense of belonging is typical for high school, and once that comfort is taken away, there is no telling the emotional toll it can take. Ally was once on top, but only because she built herself that far. Her baggage started way before high school, but once you claw your way to the top, you tend to forget the people you step on. I really started to get aggravated with Ally on more than one occasion. She starts to give up and decide this pain she's going through is far too much to take, so she'd rather be dead.
Upon further thought, because I am a high school teacher, I realized that I can understand her emotions. High school girls think it's the end of the world when the cute guy doesn't like them, or the are embarrassed in front of everyone, or they are ditched by their superficial friends. Ally is no different.
The best character, by far, was Elijah. His older brother's death affected him deeply, especially because his parents said they wish it had been him and not Frank. His baggage is so deep, but he managed to struggle through. His fight and his desire to keep fighting are admirable. I found myself wanting to read his side of the story more, and I found him more interesting. He is comfortable with himself and he doesn't care what anyone thinks. Ally was more shallow, and even through this experience, I feel like a part of her will always be that way.
I liked this one. Not loved, not hated, but it was okay. Some times during reading I kept thinking it was getting a little ridiculous. The whole ghost angle, and her being invisible was just eh. I get it, she's in-between, but I feel like the author could have done it a better way.
The book was really quick because it was in journal format, so both Ally and Elijah's stories were short chapters and poetic. Quick and easy, and it does a nice job of portraying realistic emotion in a high school environment. It's not a must read, but if you happen to want a quick one this is it.

Cupcakes and Hockey...I'm game

Hudson is the cupcake queen of her small town. Her dreams of becoming a figure skater were short lived after her parents divorced, and since that day she hasn't made any mention of it. Hudson bakes cupcakes for the diner, and she hopes that one day she could get out of this small town in Buffalo.

One day she receives a letter about a figure skating invitational that could win her scholarship money for college. A college away from Watonka. Around the same time, the Watonka hockey team asks for her help with technique in exchange for ice time. How can she resist the hockey boys? Now she's determined to not let anything come between her and her dream again.

But between baking and waitressing at the diner, a possible love triangle, and training, Hudson discovers she may be stretching herself too thin. And maybe her future isn't so certain after all...

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler was a very cutesy, girly, read. Each chapter begins with cupcake recipes, which was yummy and great because I love baking and am constantly looking for new ideas. Did it have anymore depth than a simple teen drama, no. The main character was a typical girl with a dilemma and a desperate desire to leave her small town for better things. It was really simple, had nothing to it, but was very cute and sweet at the same time.
It was predictable, but a nice fluff read. I mean who doesn't like cupcakes and hockey boys?
Don't expect too much out of it, but it's worth a chance if you're looking for a quick read.

Fat Girl? Says Who?

I wander the hallways of the middle school I work at and I remember how out of place I felt when I was twelve. I was shy because I didn't want to draw attention to myself. I was overweight and so self-conscious. On top of that, I hated being told I was fat. I hated going to the doctor, I hated gym class, I hated everything about middle school. It brought out my weight issues because all the other girls looked the same. They were skinny and perfect. I was fat, so what boy would want to look my way? I couldn't get a date, heck I couldn't even get a compliment. Middle school was the worst time of my life because I just didn't fit in, literally. Going to the richer middle school had its disadvantages because no one was very accepting of differences. Being overweight meant you were a target for bullying and jokes. After reading Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies by Erin Dionne, I realized if these books were around when I was in middle school perhaps I wouldn't have been so self-loathing.

This books begins with Celeste, who is overweight. She comes home from school, eats her chocolate cookies, and is completely content with this routine. She is always made fun of by the popular crowd, but she has a best friend, Sandy, who always stands up for her. Her parents don't press the weight issue, but Celeste knows everyone views her as the "fat" girl. When her Aunt signs her up for a  plus size model competition, Celeste is horrified. There is no way she is going to try to draw more attention to herself and her weight issues. Then she comes up with an idea: she can't win the Husky Peach competition if she's not fat. So Celeste's weight loss journey begins. She encounters lost friendship, struggles with eating, and she begins to develop the confidence she never knew she had. This story was very sweet and inspiring because shy fat girl turns out to have some confidence in herself. Enough so that in the end, she discovers who her real friends are, and she is not afraid to tell people exactly what she's thinking.

Another book I just finished literally five minutes ago, Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee, dwells on similar issues. Rosie is overweight. Her mother and aunt buy her gifts like weight loss books, treadmills, and work out clothes in order for Rosie to get the hint and drop the pounds. The more she is pushed, the more frustrated she gets. It appears nothing is going to make her food obsession cease, until she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She tries a few of her own weight loss experiments, then slowly begins to see a change in herself. Plus, she has her eye on Kyle, who is a jock and is gorgeous. After seeing a therapist for her weight, her issues become more evident. It appears weight gain and food aren't the only thing Rosie is dealing with. This book is about discovering yourself and realizing that although you may not be a skinny, inside is what matters most. I fell in love with this book! I have been in Rosie's shoes, and I have come out on the other end. I enjoyed her journey, and it is an inspirational story that many overweight girls can relate to.
I liked Artichoke better that Chocolate Cookies because Rosie is a teenage girl who needs to discover herself. Celeste is a young girl who starts losing weight because she didn't want to be in a beauty pageant. Also, Rosie's story was more believable. It was easier to see her ups and downs, and it was easier to understand her frustration and hurt because if you were an overweight girl you could easily relate.
Both of these books were easy to read. Ironically enough, they were my gym reads; just something simple to read that was interesting and kept my mind off the treadmill. These books were published a few years ago, but it means there is hope for the future that authors may begin writing their novels with overweight, curvy, heroines in mind. In addition, it's always nice to read a book about someone who was in, or is in, your position with weight loss. As an adult, I realized in middle school/high school, all I needed was someone to tell me they understood my problem. I needed to hear an inspirational story because maybe I would have pushed myself too. Believe it or not, ever since I started reading those books I have a new outlook on my being overweight. I have begun to see the beautiful things about me rather than the pieces of fat that make me cringe. I have even, gasp, worn shorts twice this year. :) For those of you who know me, you KNOW pigs have officially flown. It sometimes just takes a little inspiration, or a cutely worded novel, to dig you out of a hole.

Another thing I like is these books are giving girls a clear picture that perhaps the size zeros of the world aren't always that well off. T.V  always paints a wonderful picture of fat people becoming thin like magic because that is what is expected and 'right'. The media thinks 'perfect' is a small, delicate girl, with long hair and bright brown eyes. I was so glad that these books were more down to earth and gave a real life picture of what it's like to be struggling with weight loss. Neither of these girls became bean pole thin, but they both felt good about themselves. And it shows young women today that size zero isn't always what is desired, and sometimes it isn't always the healthy route to shoot for. It's really about loving the person you are, and I think that point is frequently missed among the youth today.
Plus by Veronica Chambers is on my list to read soon. It sounds like a Cinderella story of weight loss and yes more self-discovery.We shall see. Check my shelfari update on that one. :)

Dealing with School, Life, the Usual

Books are always meant to be enjoyed and shared, but there are those that help young adults, and in some cases even adults, learn about the lessons in life. I have a select few that I have come across throughout my high school, college, and teaching career that I felt needed to be passed on.
Laurie Halse Anderson has always proven to be an author that excels at capturing the voice of young adults. I read Speak when I was a sophomore for a independent reading project. It was one of those books that truly caught my attention, especially because I went through a reading drought about that age. I was trying to figure out the secret at the end, but at the same time I was enjoying how pure and emotional Melinda felt. She was so honest and trustworthy, yet she was alone. I myself went through a period where I felt I had no friends, and I felt constantly isolated. At that time, knowing I wasn't the only one gave me such hope and comfort. The group discussions we had revolved around how bad we felt for her, but at the same time it was easy for all of us to relate to her in some way.  Plus, as the old saying goes, you never really know who your true friends are until something bad happens. The book is a great one, especially for young teenagers who are looking for a quick read.

Twisted is a book from a male perspective. Interesting enough right? He's a high school senior, so what do you think is really on his mind? Tyler is a screw-up. He was invisible, but decided he needed to stand out and make sure people remembered him. After he was arrested for graffiti, Tyler was sentenced to a summer full of unpaid manual labor with the school custodians. He returns to school for his senior year ready to be done with everything. Only, Tyler looks different and has definitely caught the eye of his dream girl, Bethany. The problem is: Bethany's twin brother, Chip, has been tormenting Tyler for years. Tyler is invited to a party, and things start to get hot and heavy with Bethany. Instead of giving into his desire, Tyler walks away because Bethany has had a few too many. The next day at school, pictures of Bethany are posted all over the internet. The cops get involved and immediately peg Tyler for the crime because of his record. This is a story of self discovery, being a teenager, and constantly being the "bad" child. Although Tyler's voice was at times very raunchy, readers were able to get a feel for how he was feeling. Plus, if you looked at the surrounding cast, Tyler had a lot of issues he needed to figure out. My 8th grade boys loved it. That could also be because the underlying talks of sex were very clear. Either way, boys will get sucked in because it is finally a 'boy' book.
These are two excellent reads that any young adult could get into. Plus they are quick reads, so it is possible for students to do an independent book project on them in a short time. Great books. I definitely recommend them to adults as well. Who doesn't want to know what a 16 year old is thinking?

Red Riding Hood: Book and Movie

I really like when authors do re-telling of fairy tales. It creates a really cool modern twist on a classic. So, Red Riding Hood intrigued me.

On days where I find myself sobbing uncontrollably over things I can't change, my beau knows taking me to Barnes and Noble will lessen the emotional anxiety. Isn't he the greatest? ;) I found Red Riding Hood on one of these adventures. After reading the cover I realized it was based on the screenplay. So basically, the book was written for the movie. It made me sad, until I picked up the book and started reading it.  

Sarah Blakley-Cartwright, the author of the novel, uses fantastic description to take the reader on this journey. Valerie is a main character people can relate to because of her strong emotions throughout the story. She is in love with Peter, the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, but is engaged to Henry, who has potential to be an exceptional match. She's tangled in this triangle, but throw in the aspect of this mysterious wolf, and you have yourself a crazy ride. The wolf is human and wants Valerie; it even speaks and tries to encourage her to come to the dark side with it. Yes, 'the dark side' was my added commentary. Cartwright sends the reader in all different directions, giving different clues, different suspicions, and different possibilities to who this wolf is. It brings in aspects of the original fairy tale that we all grew up with, but provides a fresh concept that is 'wicked awesome, for lack of a better phrase.

I read the book in a day because I was so engrossed with it. The writing was beautiful. As much as it irked me that it was a screenplay first, I have to say the author did a beautiful job of keeping me engaged. I loved the romance, craved the action, and was constantly curious about the end result, which you don't find out in the book.

After seeing the movie, I discovered there are things that are quite different about both. It does give you the ending the book didn't deliver, which was a relief. As much as the Twilight craze left my head spinning, the movie director did an awesome job. Heck, even my boyfriend liked the movie. So that counts for something. 

Overall, a great read and an awesome movie to follow. I would recommend both. And no, you don't have to read the book first to enjoy the movie. 

Kissed By an Angel Trilogy

Just finished the trilogy: Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler. My first thoughts when I began reading it were that it was a little too 'Touched by an Angel' and Disneyesque for me.

The main character, Ivy's, belief in angels made me want to gag quite a few times. Don't get me wrong, people can believe in what they want, but when it is mentioned practically every three pages about her  angel beliefs I just couldn't quite handle it. Her statues, her summoning them, her friends even mentioning them. At times I felt the belief was too vivid in the story, and perhaps this had something to do with why I never warmed up to her character.
So Ivy meets Tristan, captain of the swim team and total high school eye candy to everyone but her. Regardless of how much the name 'Tristan' has terrified me because of my teaching experience, I was able to complete the series developing a sincere liking for Tristan. He was funny, clumsy, sexy: pretty much the total package ALL girls want. He warms your heart because all the girls want him, but he only has eyes for Ivy. The car crash ending his life is not enough to stop loving her.
Tristan comes back as an angel with a mission he is unsure of. With the help of another angel, Lacey, he decides the car accident was intentional and someone is out to kill Ivy. His discovered powers come through a lot in the second book: "The Power of Love." He can get into people's minds if they are willing, and at times he can force them to relive events in their past. Lacy, being a pro, can manifest back into human form, throw her voice across the room, and create havoc, which is something she is quite good at doing. I wished Chandler gave us more information on Lacey's past and present emotions. She could have been such a strong character, however the author put her in the background and had her following Tristan constantly. Obviously she developed feelings for him, so she disappears, heartbroken, after the third book. Lame. I actually enjoyed her snarkiness.
As the three books go on, the reader senses Tristan's jealousy for the other boys Ivy comes in contact with, especially Will. Tristan uses Will to communicate with Ivy, which is easy considering both boys are in love with her. The journey continues and Tristan tries to hold onto Ivy and her love, but if he finishes his mission on earth, he will be forced to let her go forever.
 The ending was exactly what I expected it to be, but it worked. As obvious the plot was, it was right for the story. When I was in the middle of the first book, my first thought was that it was boring because of how discernible it was. There was a point when I questioned whether I had any desire to continue reading. I even went so far as to read the last few sentences in each book so I wouldn't have to. In the end, I stuck it out. The books were only 240 pages, and I managed to finish the series in a matter of five days. Yes, CMT testing definitely helped because I had the extra hour to read. I gave it a 3 out of 5 star rating on shelfari because in the end I did enjoy reading it. It was complete fluff, but it was nice to have a quick read.
I think the titles are so cheesy. Kissed by an Angel, The Power of Love, and Soulmates...really? And if you happen to see the covers to the separate books, it looks like it could be a trashy romance novel. So corny. They should have stuck with the rose theme. It would have been nicer to look at, and I wouldn't have wanted to puke from lack of creativity.
Chandler made a fourth one for the series. Not sure how that will work, but I may just pick it up to finish it off. I mean, how horrible could it be?