Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

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Dark Companion
Author: Marta Acosta
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Source: Amazon Vine
ISBN: 9780765329646

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Orphaned at the age of six, Jane Williams has grown up in a series of foster homes, learning to survive in the shadows of life. Through hard work and determination, she manages to win a scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy. There, for the first time, Jane finds herself accepted by a group of friends. She even starts tutoring the headmistress’s gorgeous son, Lucien. Things seem too good to be true.

They are.

The more she learns about Birch Grove’s recent past, the more Jane comes to suspect that there is something sinister going on. Why did the wife of a popular teacher kill herself? What happened to the former scholarship student, whose place Jane took? Why does Lucien’s brother, Jack, seem to dislike her so much?

As Jane begins to piece together the answers to the puzzle, she must find out why she was brought to Birch Grove—and what she would risk to stay there…

MY THOUGHTS

I love the Casa Dracula series by author Marta Acosta so I was thrilled to step into young adult realm created by her.  With Dark Companion, we are given the treat of the authors writing with a young adult theme.

Jane grew up in foster homes after and accident.  She receives a scholarship to to Birch Grove Academy and finds herself making friends.  Just when she thinks are starting to turn around for her, things start to happen to make her rethink everything.  The author brings the triangle that most books have with Jacob/Jack and Lucien/Lucky.  When you read the book you will understand the double names for Jacob and Lucien.

Without giving too much more away, I will say that this book is darker and has more of an edge to it than her adult series.  It was slow moving for me to read as well.  It seemed like the plot wanted to take off, but the author wanted to drag it out for the reader.  There were times I just wanted to skip scenes just to get going, but I didn’t and ended up happy that I didn’t.

If you are a fan of Marta Acosta, then this one will be a auto-buy for you.  It has her writing style that you love just from a younger and darker edge to it.  The cover itself should clue you in to the different feel this book has from her adult series.  This was okay book for me and I am glad I gave it a chance.  I just hope if the author writes another one that the plot — that was pretty cool — moves along faster for the reader.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole

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A Hunger Like No Other
Series: Immortals After Dark #2
Author: Kresley Cole
Source: Personal Purchase
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9781416509875

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

A mythic warrior who’ll stop at nothing to possess her . . .

After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he’s waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one. This Emmaline is a small, ethereal half Valkyrie/half vampire, who somehow begins to soothe the fury burning within him.

A vampire captured by her wildest fantasy . . .

Sheltered Emmaline Troy finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents — until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle. There, her fear of the Lykae — and their notorious dark desires — ebbs as he begins a slow, wicked seduction to sate her own dark cravings. 

An all-consuming desire . . .

Yet when an ancient evil from her past resurfaces, will their desire deepen into a love that can bring a proud warrior to his knees and turn a gentle beauty into the fighter she was born to be? 

MY THOUGHTS

I know I am behind in the Immortals After Dark Series.  It seems everyone has read this series but me.  I questioned people if I should read this and they were surprised I hadn’t read it already.  They did recommend in starting with this book — which is suppose to be the second book — since it fits the timeline better.  So I signed up for the reading challenge and started reading about the world created by Kresley Cole.

I am having a little trouble writing this review though.  I loved the characters of this book.  Lachlain was amazing in his beastly and wild way.  He knew what he wanted and he took it — literally.  While I didn’t like some of the things he did to achieve his end goal of claiming his mate,  I felt it brought out his personality and true nature.  Emma was a timid and weak half vampire that was hurt when a fly died.  I couldn’t believe we were going to have to read about such a weak character paired with an amazing lead like Lachlain.  When she finally started coming out of her shell though, it became amazing.

I think the main problem I have with this book is the complicated world.  There are many species and terms that I haven’t been able to figure out yet.  I still don’t understand the big battle that is suppose to happen every few hundred years and the full ramifications that come with it.  I did find to be curious about some of the secondary characters though.  I looked around a little on the authors website and found that most of the secondary characters will have their own book.

While I am not a huge fan as most, I think this series is one that you grow to love as the author brings us a new book.  Hopefully I can share in the excitement as I read along to the other books in the series.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

The Bar Code Tattoo by Suzanne Weyn

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The Bar Code Tattoo
Series: Bar Code #1
Author: Suzanne Weyn
Publisher: Scholastic
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 9780545470544

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Individuality vs. conformity. Identity vs. access. Freedom vs. control. The bar code tattoo.

The bar code tattoo. Everybody’s getting it. It will make your life easier, they say. It will hook you in. It will become your identity.

But what if you say no? What if you don’t want to become a code? For Kayla, this one choice changes everything. She becomes an outcast in her high school. Dangerous things start happening to her family. There’s no option but to run . . . for her life.

Individuality vs. conformity.
Identity vs. access.
Freedom vs. control.

The bar code tattoo.

MY THOUGHTS

After reading the summary on the back of this book, I was intrigued.  It seemed to me like it could be a cool new read in the Young Adult genre.

In the future, everyone is getting the new Bar Code Tattoo.  Every bit of information in your life is recorded in that tattoo.  Some believe this to be a good thing, while others are not on board with it.  With the hints of deception and suspense, I was excited to start this series.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t what I was expecting.  The plot and story wasn’t bad, but I think it is a better series for the younger adults then the older ones.  Adults who like to read young adult books might find this book just a little too “young adult” and not enjoy it as much.

There were some high points in the book though that kept me interested enough to finish the read.  I liked finding out the secrets and such through Kayla’s eyes.  The author did write at a great pace and has a unique writing style.  Again, it just felt as if it was too young for mature readers.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

Call Me Wild by Robin Kaye

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Call Me Wild
Series: Wild Thing #2
Author: Robin Kaye
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Source: Publisher
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9781402257339

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


She doesn’t know a single thing about relationships…

Unemployed sportswriter Jessie James plans to make a killing writing a bestselling romance novel. She’s never read one, but really, how hard can it be? Moving cross-country to a borrowed house in Idaho, Jessie starts her research with the first gorgeous guy she runs into…

Luckily, he knows everything…

Sports doctor Fisher Kincaid notices Jessie right away–the transplanted Easterner sticks out like a sore thumb in the small town. When he discovers she’s researching attraction and romance, he graciously offers himself as a test subject. That’s when everything starts to go wrong, and they both find out how much they need a few good lessons in love…

MY THOUGHTS

Author Robin Kaye is a hit and miss author for me.  While I loved some of her previous books, I also found myself not liking some of her other books.  I think the biggest problem I have found with her writing is the  balance.  Sometimes her characters are too perfect or not believable enough.  Then she will throw in the other main character that doesn’t balance well with the the before mentioned one.  It feels forced at times and they don’t seem to compliment each other like they should.

Again, we have a too perfect hero in Fisher. Seriously, a man who cooks, cleans, sexy and also a Doctor makes for a perfect hero.  Then you have Jessie who is just wishy-washy and bland.  It has all the makings of a romance book with the same plots you come to expect.  The only difference in making a book stand out is the character dynamics.  I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy much of what happens between the usual plot in this story.

It was a fast and comfortable read.  It didn’t blow me away, but it wasn’t a waste of time either.  A little over halfway in this book is when I actually started to enjoy the characters.  For me, it was just a regular romance book with no ‘wow’ factor for standing out.  If you are looking for a quick read to pass the time, then this one will do.  It is simply a romance that will keep you happy for a bit until the next read comes along in my opinion.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Hunger Untamed by Pamela Palmer

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Hunger Untamed
Series: Feral Warriors #5
Author: Pamela Palmer
Source: Personal Purchase
Publisher: AVON
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9780061794711

SUMMARY
(From Amazon)


They are called Feral Warriors—an elite band of immortals who can change shape at will. Sworn to rid the world of evil, consumed by sorcery and seduction, their wild natures are primed for release . . .

For a thousand years she has haunted him—Ariana, Queen of the linas, a beauty of mist and light. His love, his life mate . . . Kougar believed her lost to him forever, until the truth of her stunning betrayal left him bitter and hungry for revenge. Now she alone holds the power to save two trapped and desperate Feral Warriors.

Ariana, caught in a deadly battle of her own, is neither the soulless creature Kougar believes her to be nor the savior he seeks.

And when darkness threatens to annihilate both races, the greatest danger of all becomes the glorious love Kougar and Ariana once shared. A love that must never rise again. A love that has never died.

MY THOUGHTS

The first four books in this series blew me away! This one — not so much.  While I still enjoyed the wild ride the author took me on,  I think I just had a hard time because of the main characters.

Kougar and Ariana were mated in the past.  They thought being from different races wouldn’t hurt their love for each other, but fate had other ideas.  After an attack on the Iliana race that Ariana is the Queen for, they are forced to go into hiding and break communication with Kougar.

Kougar thinks that his mate died long ago, but she didn’t.  Years later when he discovers the truth, he promises to keep their secret and walks away from Ariana.  In the years that followed, hate and contempt has formed in Kougars cold heart and Ariana has tried to control the secrets and pain while protecting her race.  When other warriors are trapped in the spirit trap, Kougar goes on the hunt for Ariana since she is the only one who has access to it.  He has eleven days to convince her to help.  Unfortunately, if Ariana does as he asks, she risks the extinction of herself and her entire race for real this time.

Ariana was not a great character for me.  I just couldn’t connect with her as I did the previous heroines in the other books.  I am not sure what made her unlikable to me but I know she wasn’t up to par as the previous ones.  Kougar had his good moments and you can’t mistake his dedication and loyalty to his race, but he wasn’t as strong as I thought he would be.  He is powerful and sexy, but he is lacking a certain punch for me to believable.  I think it is because I felt the relationship was being forced for me.  I just couldn’t get the two to connect in my mind.  There wasn’t much chemistry in my minds eye, but there was much begging and pleading from Kougar and many no’s from Ariana.

I still enjoyed the book and I am glad to have read it for the simple fact that previous plot lines played out.  What I love the most is how the author makes sure we don’t forget the previous characters because they are essential to each story for progression.  The next book features Hawke who happens to be my favorite Warrior so far.  I have been waiting patiently — okay not so patiently — for his book and I am glad to be starting it next!

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!