LOST VOICES
Author: Sarah Porter
Source: Amazon Vine
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books; None edition (July 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0547482507
ISBN-13: 978-0547482507

Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder?

I have mixed feelings about this book.  There were parts that I liked and parts that were not my favorite.  I loved the darker feel of Mermaid lore in Lost Voices.  I loved how the mermaids are like Sirens in a way that they sing for their victims to lure them into the sea.  I liked the characters of Luce and her spirit.  I was happy when she got away from her abusive Uncle who didn’t deserve the right to take of her.  


The author does go into quite a bit of details in the book. At times it was great, but most of the time it was too much.  It slowed the story down at times.  At times, the book dragged so much that I almost gave up on the whole story.  I didn’t like the treatment of the imperfect mermaids that they call Larvae. It seemed harsh, even if it was to go with the theme of the book.  I felt like Luce, and just wanted to help them throughout the story.


The ending was a disappointment as well.  Ms. Porter left too many things unresolved.  It needed closure, even if it is part of a series.  I felt cheated at the end, and that is not good for the reader.  Will I read the next book? Yes, just so I can see what happens and if the story progresses at a better pace.  I also want to read more about the darker lore of mermaids after reading a lot of fluffy paranormal.  I like how the author didn’t mix in romance with the darker feel of this book.  Doing that was the saving grace in my opinion.

THE GATHERING
Darkness Rising #1
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Source: Personal Purchase

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (April 12, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061797022
ISBN-13: 978-0061797026

Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn’t know much about her background – the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip – but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town – from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend’s hidden talent for “feeling” out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya’s biological parents and it’s easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet. 

Having never read any of Kelley Armstrong’s other books,  I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the author can come up with some fun and captivating characters!


I loved how Maya interacted with her adoptive family.  The dialogue between Maya and her Father were hilarious at times.  What teen wouldn’t like a Father that they could joke around with and at times, be able to leave their Father speechless.  While she wasn’t as witty with her Mother,  I still enjoyed how this family interacted.  


Of course, there always has to be some sort of romance.  I fell in love with Daniel.  I was hoping that Maya and Daniel would become a couple.  As I read more into the story though, I really enjoyed the friendship better than if they were a couple.  Then we get to meet Rafe.  *swoon*  The “bad boy rebel” in school who is a player with the girls.  Of course he has good looks to back it up and secrets to keep him mysterious.  I liked the slow build up between Rafe and Maya.  It didn’t feel rushed or forced.  I liked the tender and loving relationship Rafe had with his sister Annie as well.  I wish we could have seen Annie interact more with Maya though. 


The only problem I had with this book is the ending.  I know it is part of a trilogy, but nothing was answered really.  I didn’t like the spot the book finished in either.  It needed more, but I guess that is Ms. Armstrong’s way of teasing us for the next book.  Hopefully some things can be resolved early in the second book to help give us closure for the first book.


Will I continue with the trilogy? YES!  If anything, I need to learn more about Skin Walkers and the characters of the small town in Vancouver Island.

FORBIDDEN
Author: Tabitha Suzuma
Source: Library Loan

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse; Reprint edition (June 28, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442419954
ISBN-13: 978-1442419957

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.

First of all, I am going to say that this book is not for everyone.  You have to have an open mind and be willing to venture down the Taboo path this story creates. With that in mind, if you decide to read a book like this, you will be floored at the emotions and impact this book will bring to your heart.


After reading reviews on this book, I was still a little hesitant on reading it.  I never thought I would find myself reading a book about siblings falling in love.  Yes it is taboo, but that is not really the reason I had a hard time deciding if I wanted to read it.  Every time I thought about a brother and sister falling in love, my mind couldn’t comprehend something like that happening.  Yet, as soon as I started reading this book, I was pulled into the forbidden relationship that the author created.  I felt that Lochie and Maya were each others soul mates.  


I can’t believe how much this family went through and how Lochie and Maya were the strings holding it together.  I hated their Mother for everything she had done and was still doing to her children.  I hated the fact that two teenagers had to give up a normal life to take care of their younger siblings and step in as Mother and Father to keep them in one place as a family.  I ached in my heart knowing that their love would never be acceptable, but I held out hope for each of them. 


My heart shattered near the end of the book though.  I knew it was going to happen, but I still could not believe what the author created for the ending. I was outraged, sad, and heartbroken for them.  I wanted to toss the book that I spent all night reading across the room and stomp it into the ground like the author did with my heart.  That is how you know a book has made an impact on you and you know will always stay in your mind. 


If you can open your mind and venture into the world of taboo sibling love, then I can’t stress enough how much of an impact this book will have on you! 

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

DRIFTWOOD COTTAGE
Author: Sherryl Woods
Source: Planned Television Arts
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Mira; 400 edition (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 077832947X
ISBN-13: 978-0778329473

Single mom Heather Donovan’s dreams of home and family are tantalizingly within reach when she settles in Chesapeake Shores. The welcoming arms of the boisterous, loving O’Brien clan embrace her and her son. But accepting their support seems to further alienate her son’s father, Connor O’Brien. His parents’ divorce and his career as a high-powered divorce attorney have left him jaded about marriage.

Then everything changes. Will the possibility of a future without Heather make Connor look at love and his career differently? Heather’s just about given up on her old dreams—of love, of family and especially of Driftwood Cottage, the home she secretly wishes were hers. It’s going to take a lot of persuasion—and some help from the O’Brien family—to make Heather believe that some dreams are worth fighting for.

It has been a long time since I have read a book by Sherryl Woods.  I remember that she was one of the first authors I started to read in the romance genre back when I was a teen.  I remember how this author can create such vivid backdrops for the characters to dwell in.  With this new book,  I remembered all the reasons why I loved her writing.

While I love the characters and the attention to details,  I was a little disappointed at all of the family that was involved in the story.  At times, I wanted them to fade into the background so the focus would solely on the main characters. Some of the story drags at times, but once it picks up it does get fun and interesting.  While the storyline is predictable, I still enjoyed reading about Heather and Conner.

While it isn’t my favorite book by this author, it wasn’t a bad book.  It was mediocre in story, but full of family and romance fluff.  A great book to pass the time with, but not one I would reread again unless I need a refresher in the series.

MY RATING:

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

IF I DIE
Soul Screamers #5
Author: Rachel Vincent
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (September 27, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210329
ISBN-13: 978-0373210329

No one wants to be this teacher’s pet . . .

Soul Screamers: The last thing you hear before you die.

Just when I thought my heart would collapse from the torture of My Soul To Steal, the author ripped my heart out of my chest and fed it to the Hellion’s for a new chew toy in If I Die.  Talk about an emotional roller coaster of a series!  I have read about Banshee’s, Hellion’s, Reaper’s, Demons Breath and now love that can break your heart into pieces.  The author brought it for this book and knocked me down hard!


I am having such a hard time writing a review on this book!  Everything I want to say or point out could be taken as a spoiler alert.  I do not want to ruin anything for everyone. You will laugh, you will yell and you will cry — sometimes all at the once.  Kaylee has grown so much from book one and she has grown into a heroine to be proud of.  She has backbone, she has love and most of all she has the strength to carry everyone’s pain when they need her.  


Have you chosen Team Tod or Team Nash?  Well, I thought I had until I read this book.  Be prepared to have shocking discoveries and heartache as you turn each page.  There are decisions to be made that can change the outcome for all characters involved that you won’t believe until you read about it.  Secrets are revealed from numerous characters leaving quite a fallout on others in the book.  Favorites of the series return, along with deaths to some you won’t expect.  You will be cheering for characters you didn’t even know you wanted to cheer for. 


All I can say is, If I Die before I wake– thank goodness I got to read this book first!  


MY RATING:

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