AFTER OBSESSION
Author(s): Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (September 13, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599906813
ISBN-13: 978-1599906812

Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can’t stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They’re wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it’s neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It’s Alan’s cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her. 

First lets talk about that amazing cover!  As you all know, I am the first to admit when a cover is the main reason a book captures my interest.  When I first saw this cover unveiled, I just knew I would end up reading it without even knowing what the book was about.  Then when I read the summary, I was curious to find out how two authors were going to create a wonderful story.


With the story revolving around two points of view, a heavy dose of Navajo heritage and lore, and a basis of paranormal suspense, this book should have been a hit for me.  Who can go wrong with seeing a story unfold from both characters perspective and some creepy paranormal thrown in? Well, this book was wrong for me.  I felt both characters were sort of dull together with no real sparks to keep me interested.  I did love how the authors involved the Navajo traditions and tried to make the relationship work, but at times it felt to forced.  I just couldn’t seem to get in the romance groove for this couple.


While the creepy paranormal was a great factor for the book, it just didn’t balance out the parts that left me uninterested.  I applaud the efforts though of both authors in trying to make a book work was a joint project.  That alone is a great accomplishment in writing a book.  I just wish that the story would have excited me as much as the cover did.

BREATH OF ANGEL
Author: Karyn Henley
Source: Amazon Vine
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307730123
ISBN-13: 978-0307730121

The stranger’s cloak had fallen back, and with it, a long, white, blood-stained wing.
When Melaia, a young priestess, witnesses the gruesome murder of a stranger in the temple courtyard, age-old legends recited in song suddenly come to life. She discovers wings on the stranger, and the murderer takes the shape of both a hawk and a man.

Melaia finds herself in the middle of a blood feud between two immortal brothers who destroyed the stairway to heaven, stranding angels in the earthly realm. When the feud turns violent and Melaia becomes a target, she finds refuge with a band of angels attempting to restore the stairway. But the restoration is impossible without the repayment of an ancient debt—the “breath of angel, blood of man,” a payment that involves Melaia’s heart, soul, and destiny.

Breath of Angel is the first book in the Angelaeon Circle series.  The cover is what originally captured my interest in this book.  It was dark and eerie which seemed to fit my mood at that time.  Unfortunately, this book was not as great as I was hoping.


Everything you would want in a plot is touched on in this book.  At times, it became to be a little cliched.  There are many books out there that feature angels and such, but this book really didn’t have anything to really stand out in my mind and make it great.  I wanted to love this book, but I just couldn’t fall for it like I have done with other books in the past.  This book is also classified as a Fiction Fantasy.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking it is just a paranormal read.  While I love a great paranormal book, fantasy has never been one of my favorite genres.  I am not a huge fan of priestesses and magic.  Maybe that is one of the reasons this book didn’t fit well with my reading habits. 


Now if you are a fantasy reader, then give this book a try.  I on the other hand, was not a fan of it.  It could have been my reading mood at the time, so I might give this book another go somewhere down the line in the future.

THE IRON KNIGHT
Iron Fey #4
Author: Julie Kagawa
Source: Publisher
*I received this ARC copy free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (October 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210361
ISBN-13: 978-0373210367

My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn’darkmyr Tallyn.

I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.

My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

Just when I thought the story ended with The Iron Queen, author Julie Kagawa surprised her fans with a story to help ease our Ash addiction with The Iron Knight.  With the conclusion in The Iron Queen, fans of Ash and Meghan were left hoping for one more chance at a future for the two.  Well, the author did not disappoint with The Iron Knight.

I will start off by saying that The Iron Knight does take a bit of time to get into.  It starts rather slowly – even with Puck and his rambunctious ways – and takes a few chapters to really start enjoying the story.  Ash and Puck are on a journey to find the End of the World.  If Ash can succeed in finding it, he might have a chance at passing the final test called The Gauntlet to earn a human soul.  With a human soul, Ash would be able to fulfill his promise to Meghan of finding a way to be together again and living within the Iron Kingdom. 

Along the way, we also get some familiar faces to keep us going. Of course Grimalkin the cat is there to help keep their minds thinking and to just be a pain in the butt whenever he can. They also meet up with the Big Bad Wolf — yes that Big Bad Wolf — to help as well with the journey.  With a surprise character joining the fold as well, Ash finds himself second guessing his strength and decision on finding a way to receive a human soul. 

What I enjoyed the most about this book was the way they author gave the readers a conclusion worthy of fairytale legends.  There were obstacles thrown at the characters that are overcome, futures that can be changed, and past issues that are finally laid to rest.  Above all else, the author finally gives the readers of the series an ending that is truly called a Happily Ever After.

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

CRANK
Crank #1
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Source: Personal Purchase

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; Original edition (October 5, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0689865198
ISBN-13: 978-0689865190

Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina disappears and Bree takes her place. Bree is the exact opposite of Kristina — she’s fearless. 

Through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul — her life.

I have read so much about the series of books that Ellen Hopkins has out featuring all sorts of addictions and obstacles that teens can face.  When I picked up Crank, I was intrigued to see how an author was going to portray the drug abuse that can run so rampant through teenagers without going overboard.  I wanted to read something that stayed true to the abuse and didn’t portray it lightly since it is a serious subject to begin with.
Ellen Hopkins did everything I wanted and more within the pages of Crank.

When Kristina meets her Father again after years of abandonment, she gets a glimpse into the world of drugs and the world her mother suffered through before breaking free of him.  With her first hit of crank, we see the downward spiral that Kristina begins to fall into and brings out the persona of Bree.  Through the heartache of romantic breakups, the lure of numbness from drugs,  and the acceptance of being an addict, we see how drugs can easily grab hold of someone and refuse to let go. 

I will say though that I wasn’t a big fan of the verse writing in this one.  While it may have worked for some people, I found it to be too much.  The story alone had an impact on the reader and the verse writing was overkill in my opinion.

If you are looking for a book that touches on a serious subject that effects teens everywhere, then I recommend sitting down with Crank and prepare for a dark ride.

Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS