(ARC Review) The Haunted by Jessica Verday

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THE HAUNTED
The Hollow Trilogy #2
Author: Jessica Verday
Source: Simon Pulse
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Reading level: Ages 9-12
  • Hardcover: 480 pages
  • Publisher: Simon Pulse (August 31, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 141697895X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416978954

SYNOPSIS:

An impossible truth. An impossible love. 

After a summer spent reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget the boy she fell in love with–the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead–Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow, ready to leave the ghosts of her past behind. She throws herself into her schoolwork, her perfume-making, and her friendship with Ben, her cute and funny lab partner, who just might be her ticket to getting over Caspian once and for all.

But Abbey can never get over Caspian, and Caspian has no choice but to return to her side, for Caspian is a Shade, and Abbey is his destiny. They are tied not only to each other, but also to the town of Sleepy Hollow, and to the famous legend that binds their fates–a legend whose dark truths they are only beginning to guess….

MY THOUGHTS:

After the disappointment that The Hollow left me with, I was anxious to read the next in the series to see if it would be better.  I am so glad I gave this author another chance!

Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow after a breakdown caused by the death of her best friend Kristen and falling in love with a dead boy.  She has been living with her Aunt and finally comes home after the completion of the Sleepy Hollow bridge to dedicate it in the memory of her friend.  She is scared to return to the town that caused her such pain, but she puts a brave face on and decides it is time.  Just when things start taking off with Ben and getting back into the perfume creations, Caspian returns to Abbey.  She feels conflicted at first trying to figure out if she is going crazy again, or if Caspian truly is real in her world.  Along the way, we get to see the love between Caspian and Abbey grow, old favorites return in Abbey’s life and new discoveries about The Shade.

I am amazed at how much the author’s writing has progressed from The Hollow.  I admit, the beginning of this book moves slow like the first one, but as you get going in the story it really takes off. That is about the only negative thing about the book in my opinion. There is more suspense with a lot of the answers you were wanting from the previous book being answered.  The author still left a great climax at the end of the story though that will leave you frustrated because you have to wait for the final book.  Some things become clear in the plot, but other things are going to be left for the final book I assume.  Personally, I can’t wait for the final book now.  I have crossed the Sleepy Hollow bridge and I don’t want to turn back!

MY RATING:


Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

GODDESS BOOT CAMP by Tera Lynn Childs

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GODDESS BOOT CAMP
Author: Tera Lynn Childs
Source: Library Loan
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (June 11, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0525421343
  • ISBN-13: 978-0525421344
SYNOPSIS:
Phoebe, who recently discovered she’s a descendant of Nike (the goddess, not the shoe), is finding that supernatural powers come with a crazy learning curve. Her stepfather, headmaster of the Academy for descendants of the Greek gods, has enrolled her at Dynamotheos Development Camp—aka Goddess Boot Camp—with a bunch of ten-year-olds for the summer. Embarrassing as that is, hopefully it’ll help her gain control over her powers in time to pass the test of the gods, continue training hard enough to qualify for the Pythian Games, and enjoy her godly boyfriend, Griffin, all while avoiding the ultimate mistake of accidentally misusing powers.
MY THOUGHTS:
After reading Oh.My.Gods I quickly started reading Goddess Boot Camp.  It is the second book in the series and is written by one of my favorite authors for young adult books.  I loved the first book in the series! The second book though just wasn’t as great as the first. 
I still loved this book, so don’t get me wrong.  I just felt it needed just a little bit more to it.  I loved the witty dialogue that the author never fails to bring to the story. I loved each of the characters in the story as well.  The only thing I didn’t like was I wanted to read about the trial of Phoebe’s Dad.  It was a major part of the book, yet we never get to see it.  It left me frustrated and hoping that this series will continue with another book that will go into that part of the story in more detail.  There were plenty of laugh out loud moments and teen romance that is sweet.  The book moved at a normal pace and included a lot of my favorite characters from the previous book.  
While this is not my favorite book by this author, it still is a great book with great imagination.  I do hope that the author will continue the story of Phoebe and let us see more glimpse’s of her relationship with her Father.
MY RATING:



Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

(ARC REVIEW) The Evil Within by Nancy Holder

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THE EVIL WITHIN
A POSSESSIONS NOVEL
Author: Nancy Holder
* I received this ARC free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Razorbill (June 10, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1595142916
  • ISBN-13: 978-1595142917
SYNOPSIS:
In this sequel to New York Times bestselling author Nancy Holder’s Possessions, Lindsay finds out that she, too, is possessed, and must return to creepy Marlwood Academy in order to rid herself of the spirit. Lindsay’s afraid of what the spirit is telling her to do—kill Mandy! But the secrets of Marlwood go much deeper than Lindsay thought. Sometimes the girls who seem like enemies are actually on your side. And the voices you trust the most—the voices that come from within—are the ones that want you dead. 
MY THOUGHTS:
This is the second book in the Possessions Series.  I wish I had read the first book before reading this, but I honestly didn’t know it was part of a series when I received it.  The author doesn’t go into a lot of details about the first book, so I was left hanging and scratching my head most of the way through this book.  For this reason alone, I would say that this is not a stand alone book.  I highly recommend reading the first one before you grab this one to read. 
Confusion set aside, the book was written very well.  It moved at the perfect pace and the author brought to life the character of Lindsay.  She seemed to go through the correct emotions in the right spots of the story.  It had an eerie feel to it that gave the right amount of suspense at just the right times.  
Having read this book, I immediately put the first book on my wishlist. I want to know what started everything in the series and I can’t wait to find out what happens next! A new to me author that I am glad I got to read!
MY RATING:



Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

(ARC Review) INSATIABLE by Meg Cabot

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INSATIABLE
Author: Meg Cabot
Source: Around The World Tours
*thank you Princess Bookie*
  • Hardcover: 464 pages
  • Publisher: William Morrow (June 8, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 006173506X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061735066
SYNOPSIS:
Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper. 
But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn’t believe in them.
Not that Meena isn’t familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you’re going to die. (Not that you’re going to believe her. No one ever does.)
But not even Meena’s precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It’s a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.
The problem is, Lucien’s already dead. Maybe that’s why he’s the first guy Meena’s ever met whom she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena’s always been able to see everyone else’s future, she’s never been able look into her own.
And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.
Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future. . . .
If she even has one.
MY THOUGHTS:
After a hectic week of dentist appointments, toothaches, school field trips and many other things, I was finally able to really start reading this book and enjoying it.  It took me a few chapters to really start enjoying this read.  This was my first read by this author, but I had heard many wonderful things about her books.  This is not a quick read. With this ARC copy, it is 451 pages long. So I knew I had to sit myself down and just read without interruptions to fully enjoy this book. 
I am so glad I gave this book a second chance after the hectic week had ended.  I think if I wouldn’t have given it the second chance, I would not have realized the wonderful story and characters that the author brought to life on those 451 pages. I loved how the author subtly pokes fun at the vampire craze that has erupted in the paranormal book world. Her jabs at it were great. Even the character name of Meena was great. If you are wondering what I am talking about, think Edward/Dracula/Bill/Eric all in one book with a touch of Sookie here and there. Meena is psychic and can sense when people are going to die. Not a fun talent to have. Plus she writes soap operas and must now write a storyline about vampires which she loathes. 
A book filled with witty writing, a sexy hero, a talented heroine who learns to embrace her talent, and an all around great read!  One that will leave you wanting to take a bite out of the vampire books again!
MY RATING:


Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

ENEMY LOVER by Karin Harlow

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ENEMY LOVER
Author: Karin Harlow
Source: Publisher
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Pocket Star (May 25, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1439109826
  • ISBN-13: 978-1439109823
SYNOPSIS:
When you have no alternative, then you call in L.O.S.T. Because with the Last Option Special Team, it’s do or die. . . . 
It’s Jax Cassidy’s first mission for L.O.S.T.—one that will give the former cop who went rogue a chance to prove herself. Her assignment: gain the trust of assassin Marcus Cross . . . eliminate him . . . then take down Marcus’s mentor, Joseph Lazarus, a man with a bold eye on the White House. But the woman who’s known by her team for being a femme fatale succumbs to passion, only to discover Cross’s deadly secret. He’s a vampire, and Joseph Lazarus is his creator. 
Left for dead by his platoon in the violent hills of Afghanistan, Special Ops sniper Marcus Cross was given a second chance at life. His newly heightened skills make him the perfect killing machine, and as Lazarus’s right-hand man, he’s quickly rising to the top of his dark empire, purging enemies with speed and precision. Only when dangerous beauty Jax Cassidy is sent to bring him in does he begin to question Lazarus’s motives and his own actions. But when Jax’s life is threatened by the one thing that can destroy them both, Marcus must make a bitter choice—her death or his. 
MY THOUGHTS:
I love it when books start out with a bang and keep you interested from the get go.  What caught my interest with this book at first was the cover.  Then I read the first page and was hooked! This book has the suspense and thrill to keep you on the edge of your seat, the paranormal vampire to keep you sucked in, and the skillfully moving plot that will keep you reading until the last page. 
Now this book wasn’t all about romance.  It was a darker read than I normally would pick up. I would classify this as more of an Urban Fantasy book.  It has more butt-kicking suspense than between the sheets love.
MY RATING:



Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS