Book Review: The Ghost and the Goth

Title: The Ghost and the Goth

Author: Stacey Kade

Publisher: Hyperion

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Release Date: June 29th 2010

Source: Paperback

Purchase: Amazon

Alona Dare–Senior in high school, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, Homecoming Queen three years in a row, voted most likely to marry a movie star… and newly dead.

I’m the girl you hated in high school. Is it my fault I was born with it all-good looks, silky blond hair, a hot bod, and a keen sense of what everyone else should not be wearing? But my life isn’t perfect, especially since I died. Run over by a bus of band geeks—is there anything more humiliating? As it turns out, yes—watching your boyfriend and friends move on with life, only days after your funeral. And you wouldn’t believe what they’re saying about me now that they think I can’t hear them. To top it off, I’m starting to disappear, flickering in and out of existence. I don’t know where I go when I’m gone, but it’s not good. Where is that freaking white light already?

Will Killian–Senior in high school, outcast, dubbed “Will Kill” by the popular crowd for the unearthly aura around him, voted most likely to rob a bank…and a ghost-talker.

I can see, hear, and touch the dead. Unfortunately, they can also see, hear and touch me. Yeah, because surviving high school isn’t hard enough already. I’ve done my best to hide my “gift.” After all, my dad, who shared my ability, killed himself because of it when I was fifteen. But lately, pretending to be normal has gotten a lot harder. A new ghost—an anonymous, seething cloud of negative energy with the capacity to throw me around—is pursuing me with a vengeance. My mom, who knows nothing about what I can do, is worrying about the increase in odd incidents, my shrink is tossing around terms like “temporary confinement for psychiatric evaluation,” and my principal, who thinks I’m a disruption and a faker, is searching for every way possible to get rid of me. How many weeks until graduation?

My Review:

I’ve been wanting to read this book for so long. I wanted to read it before it hit shelves. Then I finally got my hands on a copy of it 2-3 months ago. I have been falling behind on my reading and reviews because I didn’t have internet, and then when I finally got it back, my computer didn’t work. But during that time, I finally took the time to read this book. My first impression was that it was just alright. I didn’t really want to read about some stuck up blonde that thought she was better than everyone, I saw enough of that in high school. But as I started to read, I started to get into it and I found this to be a quite enjoyable book.

Will was my favorite character. I always seem to fall for the type of guy that no one wants to be around. I just love the mystery of them. And Will has plenty of mystery. He keeps to himself, and his secrets as well.

Alona on the other hand, she’s not all super preppy. She does have some depth to her. And you do get a chance to see a glimpse into her life through her afterlife.

Final Thoughts:

I thought this to be a very enjoyable first book to the trilogy and cannot wait to read Queen of the Dead, and the latest, Body and Soul.

 Star Rating:

 

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Book Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Title: Hereafter 
Author: Tara Hudson 
Publisher: HarperCollins 
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance 
Release Date: June 7th 2011 
Source: ebook, TBR Challenge 
Series: Hereafter 

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

My Review:

I thought this book was very well written. It had me going from beginning to end. The characters were remember able, the story was amazing and the outcome was great. I just had one problem with it.

While Amelia was wondering aimlessly around the afterlife, she has a chance encounter with Joshua. She ends up saving Josh’s life. After that they are bound together by a strong urge to be with one another. While that is all great and wonderful, I still don’t understand how that is. How she is able to touch him and feel him when she can’t do that with anyone else. Maybe it is because of their connection, but maybe it’s not.

As for the ending of this book, it did leave it wide open for a second one. Which the second one, Arise, is due to hit shelves June 5th 2012. 

Final Thoughts:

I think overall, this was a great paranormal romance with some good twists in it. 

Star Rating:   

Purchase from: Amazon/The Book Depository

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Guest Review: Switched by Amanda Hocking

Title: Switched 
Author: Amanda Hocking 
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 
Genre: Ya, Paranormal
Release Date: January 3^rd, 2012   
Source: paperback 
Series: Trylle Trilogy

Buy the Book Here: Amazon

When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - a world both beautiful and frightening, and Wendy's not sure she wants to be a part of it.

Alexis’s Review:

As soon as I got the ARC for this one back in November, I knew that I had to read it. So I did, in two days. Yes folks, it was that good. I knew that I would probably like it because I have read some Amanda Hocking in the past; her My Blood Approves series is still my favorite self-pub books I've ever read. That's why I was so happy to learn that she had been picked up by a major publishing company!

I've heard that some people didn't like this book for whatever reason. I don't know why they didn't though! I thought it was great; the pacing, the characters (Wendy is a great heroine. Even though she is sometimes oblivious.) and the hot guy (because what YA paranormal would be complete without one??) The story takes off from the beginning and I never knew what was going to happen next.

There was one time that I felt the book dragged (near the end before the climax) but it was understandable; you can't have a book that is fast paced from beginning to end. Excluding maybe The Hunger Games. The end was probably my favorite part of the book. Can you talk about a cliff-hanger? I hope I get to read the second book in the series long before the publication date too! I don't know if I can deal with the suspense! I'll be interested to see if Amanda Hocking's other book series are also picked up by St. Martin's or another publisher or if this is the only series that she is going to seek major publication for.

Anyway, overall, Switched is the perfect fantasy/romance/adventure if you are in a reading slump or just want an amazingly quick joy-ride. :)

Star Rating:

Guest Review by: Alexis

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Book Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Test

Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: YA, Mythology, Paranormal Romance

Release Date: April 19th 2011
Series: Goddess Test

Source: ebook

Challenge: TBR Pile

Amazon/The Book Depository

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

 

My Review:

I quickly dove right into this book feet first. I was so engulfed into this story that I never wanted to put it down. I have always loved Greek Mythology ever since I was in high school, but this book has made me want to learn so much more about the subject.

The characters were so likable; I had an immediate connection with Kate and felt something for Henry. The match was perfect for the story.  

Kate is very strong willed and determined to save her mother’s life, even though she is dying of cancer. They decide to move to Eden, Michigan (I, being from Michigan, decided to look this place up to see if it exists, haha) from New York City. Upon arriving in Eden, Kate almost hits a cow in the middle of the road, or so she thinks it’s a cow. And that’s just the beginning of the ‘fun’ Kate starts to have in Eden.

Soon she meets James and Ava. James is a little strange for Kate but soon finds him as a good friend. Ava on the other hand thinks that Kate is trying to steal her boyfriend, Dylan, and decides to get even with Kate. That’s when the accident happens and Kate’s world will never be the same…

When Kate meets Henry, he offers her a solution to her problem in the form of a deal. Kate reluctantly accepts his offer and starts to regret it. But as time passes, she grows fonder of Henry.

Final Thoughts:

This story was just great from start to finish. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good YA romance with a twist of Greek mythology. 

Star Rating:

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Book Review: Die for Me by Amy Plum

Title: Die for Me

Author: Amy Plum

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance

Release Date: May 10th 2011
Series:  Revenants

Source: ebook
Challenge: TBR Pile

Amazon/The Book Depository

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

My Review:
This was a very good book from start to finish. I immediately fell in love with the whole story. To me, it was like a newer version of Twilight. The reason I say that is because of the 'forbidden' love situation.

Kate had recently lost her parents and had to move to Paris with her sister, Georgia. They had moved in with their grandparents.  Georgia is the wild and care-free sister that loves to be the center of attention and party. As to where Kate is more down to earth and has an 'old soul' as her mother would say. Kate is more headstrong.

Kate starts going to a cafe and encounters Vincent. A very handsome and very dashing young man with a secret.

The whole story was amazing from start to finish, I had a hard time putting it down. I found myself pushing my sleep further and further back to just finish this book because I refused to put it down. I loved the characters, especially Jules. Jules holds a special place in my heart and I can't wait to read more about all of them!


Final Thoughts:
A very amazing book from start to finish. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes Twilight and paranormal romance!

Star Rating:   

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Review: Tempest by Julie Cross

Title: Tempest

Author: Julie Cross

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Pages: Hardcover, 352
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction

Release Date: January 17th 2012
Series: Tempest

Source: NetGalley and Publisher

Amazon/The Book Depository

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

My Review:

What happens when you wrap YA, Sci-Fi, a little romance and a little mystery into one book? You get this 100%, simply amazing novel by Julie Cross, and it's called, Tempest!

This book was simply amazing! I loved the whole time traveling aspect. I will admit, at first it was a bit confusing, but that was only for the first few paragraphs, after that it was easy to get pulled right into this book and go on a wild ride with Jackson through time.

This isn't your everyday, run of the mill, time travel stories. Jackson Meyer is a nineteen year old "jumper" that can jump into the past, usually only a few hours into the past, not decades, and he can't jump forward either. But when something happens to his girlfriend, Holly, and himself that he wasn't prepared for, he is thrust into the past by two years with no way to return to his present time.

The writer takes you on a ride with Jackson as he starts to discover things about himself, his past and the people that he thought he knew. And he starts to learn that people aren't always as they seem.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA Sci-Fi, suspense and a little mystery.

Star Rating:

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Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Knight

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN

Edition: Paperback, 361
Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Release Date: October 25th 2011
Series: Iron Fey

Source: purchased paperback

Summary (from Goodreads)

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his arch-rival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Review:

I just want to start off by saying, this has got to be THE BEST Iron Fey series book thus far! I loved all of Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey books, but this one has to be my favorite. The tension between Puck and Ash was, as always, hilarious. They kept each other afloat through the whole book, and you could see how loyal they were towards each other. You also learned about Ash, and his past, and what makes Ash, Ash.

Ash's loyalty towards Megan was amazing, even after his surprise encounter with a past 'friend'. He sought his journey through to the very end, with a few bumps along the way. He encountered the Wolf yet again, and he was pretty funny with his and Grimalkin's encounters, always bashing each other. And, as always, Grimalkin just reminds me so much of the Cheshire Cat from Alice In Wonderland, just popping in and out of sight.

I love how she (Julie Kagawa) described Ash's past and gave us, the readers, a better understanding of why Ash is just Ash. You got to see his temper, his love and his fears as the cold hard exterior of the Winter Prince started to fade and melt away.

Puck delivered a great performance as the ever comedic faerie he is. Just a great comic relief that had me laughing many times throughout the book.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars because of great writing Kagawa delivers again, I can't wait to read more of her work.

Star Rating:

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Review: Passion by Lauren Kate

Title: Passion (Fallen #3)

Author: Lauren Kate

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Pages: Hardcover, 420
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance,

Release Date: June 14, 2011
Series: Fallen

Source: Hardcover

Summary (from Goodreads)

Luce would die for Daniel.

And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.

My Review:

When I started to read this book, I jumped right back into the story like no time had passed between novels at all, which I like, it makes it easier to follow along.

The characters are still quite likable but the story sort of faltered for me. I'm glad that the reader could see into their past lives (mainly Luce's) and what got them to where Daniel and Luce are today, but the "time jumping" was not fun to follow. Luce was far more stubborn in her quest for the truth and didn't care if she altered time to achieve what she set out to do. It made me want to reach into the book and strangle her or slap the crap out of her.

As for Daniel, he was valiant as always, but always a day late, a dollar short. I kept hoping he would have gotten to her over and over again just to get the time jumping over with.

What I really wanted to know is what happened with the other travelers. We saw briefly what happened to Shelby and Miles and a few seconds of Cam, but what happened when they traveled through time?

Overall, it was, as always, a great novel by an amazing writer. I will be buying her fourth installment in the Fallen series to see where everything ends up.

Purchase this book plus pre-order her upcoming books on Amazon.com

Star Rating:  

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