BOUND BY BLOOD
(Bound #2)
Author: Amanda Ashley
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Zebra (October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420121324
ISBN-13: 978-1420121322

A VAMPIRES LOVE IS ETERNAL.

Kaitlyn is half vampire, half human-and all woman. As the cherished daughter of the Carpathian Coven’s master, she has been given every luxury a girl could desire. Now her only need is for a prince. But though she’s ready to gamble her heart on Zack, a powerful enemy stalks their every move…watches their every kiss…and waits to destroy their undying love…

Bound By Blood takes us into the life of Kaitlyn Sherrad. She is the half human/half vampire daughter of Elana and Drake Sherrad from the previous book Bound By Night.  It is set 21 years in the future from the previous book and Kaitlyn is all grown up and on her own in Las Vegas.  Her parents have bought her a cabin and she is ready to start her own life after college.  One night she meets Zack Ravenscroft outside of her cabin.  They are both instantly attracted to each other and enjoy the company they each provide.  While Zack is considered an Other, a made vampire instead of a born vampire, Kaitlyn knows her father would never approve of a relationship between the two.  What Kaitlyn doesn’t realize is that her father is not the only thing she should be afraid of.


Nadiya is back as the evil vampire villain and is seeking revenge on the Sherrad family.  Her son was murdered in the previous book by Drake and she wants Drake to suffer as badly as she has.  She sets her sights on Kaitlyn and will stop at nothing to kill her and make Drake feel the agony she has.  


There are a few things I liked better in this book than the last.  I liked how the characters in the book grow and stay relative to the time frame.  In the last book, I felt like I was reading a historical romance at times even though it was suppose to be set in the present time.  It could have been because the last book was set in a different country, but the characters seem to have been better developed in this one. I also liked how the author made Zack out to be witty, charismatic and at times a vengeful vampire.  He could be evil and monstrous at times when needed, but he also had a soft side that he showed around Kaitlyn and his employee’s. 


The few things I didn’t like were mainly the same things I have experienced in other vampire novels.  The instant attraction to each other and the sudden knowledge of knowing this person is your soul mate is ever present in this novel as well.  I just don’t seem to like how the characters can meet in chapter one and know they are meant to be together forever by chapter two.  I like progression in my romance and not instant love.  Yet, even with this detail I felt myself enjoying the story and loving my vampire fantasy within this gorgeous cover.  


I have read every book by Amanda Ashley and the Bound series is quickly becoming my favorite series by this author so far.  I look forward to reading more of her work and can’t wait for her next novel to appear on shelves!

FIRST DAY ON EARTH
Author: Cecil Castellucci
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (November 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545060826
ISBN-13: 978-0545060820

A startling, wonderful novel about the true meaning of being an alien in an equally alien world.

“We are specks. Pieces of dust in this universe. Big nothings. 

“I know what I am.”

Mal lives on the fringes of high school. Angry. Misunderstood. Yet loving the world — or, at least, an idea of the world. 

Then he meets Hooper. Who says he’s from another planet. And may be going home very soon.

I am not a big fan of alien abductions and such, but I decided to give this book a chance since it was sent to me for review.  I was actually surprised to find that it wasn’t too bad of a book.  While I am still not a fan of aliens, the author did a wonderful job in exploring this type of plot line.

Mal lives with his often drunk mother after his father walked out on them years ago.  He tries to take care of his mother the best way he can, but he also has issues that he is dealing with and no one to talk to about them.  Mal believes he was abducted and returned to Earth days later.  The doctors and specialists all agree that he had a seizure or a psychotic break to explain his disappearance in the desert.

When Mal mistakenly finds himself in a Alien Abduction Support group one night, he finally feels like someone might understand and believe what happened to him.  It is there that he finds and befriends Hooper who seems to be different than the rest of them.  Hooper tells him that he wasn’t abducted but that he is in fact and alien from a different planet.  He means no harm to humans since his race is based on exploration and adaptation. Hooper though is leaving soon to his home planet and Mal will need to decide if he wants to go with Hooper or stay on Earth.

The book is a fast read and the writing is well done in this story.  I wish it could have been a bit longer though so we could see more of Hooper interacting with people on Earth.  Like I said, I may not be a fan of alien stories, but this one was written well enough to keep me interested until the end.  If you want to step out of your normal reading zone, give this one a try and get a taste of alien life on Earth.

 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more! 3 STARS

AWAKE AT DAWN
Born at Midnight #2
Author: C.C. Hunter
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange of an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin; First Edition edition (October 11, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312624689
ISBN-13: 978-0312624682

Now that she’s settled in at Shadow Falls Camp, Kylie Galen’s determined to discover the extent of her supernatural abilities.  But with a ghost insisting someone Kylie loves is about die, a rogue vampire on a murdering rampage, and her sixth sense telling her someone is watching her, Kylie’s quest for answers is quickly put on hold. 

To make matters worse, just when she’s about to give her heart to Derek, a half-fairy, he starts pulling away.  When Lucas, a werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past, returns, Kylie’s feels more conflicted than ever. Her weekend with her mom should have been the just the break Kylie needs, but it turns out to be her breaking point.  Someone from the dark side of the supernatural world has plans for Kylie–and it’ll take all her resources to get back to Shadow Falls alive…

First off I will tell you that the photo of this cover is so much better in person!  It has a shimmery metallic look to it and makes the waterfall look gorgeous.  This was one of the books I was highly anticipating this year. After reading Born at Midnight, I couldn’t wait for the author to hurry and get book two finished and on the shelves! 

We return to Shadow Falls Camp and are immediately thrown into Kylie’s story.  It starts at her friend Della’s vampire ceremony.  When a spirit appears and gives Kylie an important message as a clue, she starts to freak out by who it could be about.  Kylie is also still trying to figure out what type of paranormal she actually is.  Her biological father had no idea what he really was and her mother is human.  With no one able to answer that one question, she is left trying to figure out the puzzle along with her friends and counselors from camp.  As if trying to figure out what she is wasn’t enough, Kylie is also trying to sort out her true feelings between Derek and Lucas. Who does she truly love?

I felt bad for Kylie in the fact that she had two amazing guys pining for her with no clue on who she could see herself with.  On one hand we have the half-fairy and patient Derek.  He has been there for Kylie and has never really pressured her into anything.  Lately though, he is wanting more of a commitment from Kylie such as going on an actual date.  Then on the other hand we have the boy that left Kylie at the worst time. Lucas who is a werewolf, returns into the fold and is determined to prove to Kylie that he is the one for her.  They share a past together and knows they are meant to be together.

While not a huge amount of things happen in this book, what does happen was great to read about.  I loved the continuation of Kylie’s journey to discovery and learning to help when the spirits do come calling to her. I did feel bad for one of the guy’s though at the end of the book.  I won’t tell you which one, but I felt some tears prickle in my eyes at how hurt he was.

If you enjoyed the first book in the series, then the second book will not disappoint you.  Awake at Dawn will keep you reading until the light of first dawn!

Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS