Books I've read this month (click on the picture to take you to the review)
TBR Pile Reading Challenge January Wrap-Up
Showing posts with label 214 TBR Pile Challenge - January. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 214 TBR Pile Challenge - January. Show all posts
January 26, 2014
January 24, 2014
[Review] Born of Illusion by Teri Brown
Author: Teri Brown
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Source: YABE
Purchase: Amazon | TBD | Kobo | B&N
Anna Van Housen has a secret.
A gifted illusionist, Anna assists her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums, and mentalists in 1920’s New York. As the illegitimate daughter of Harry Houdini—or so Marguerite claims—sleight of hand illusions have never been a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her own gifts secret from her opportunistic mother. Because while Marguerite’s own powers may be a sham, Anna possesses a true ability to sense people’s feelings and foretell the future.
But as Anna’s powers intensify, she begins to experience frightening visions of her mother in peril, which leads her to explore the powers she’s tried so long to hide. And when a mysterious young man named Cole moves into the flat downstairs, introducing Anna to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, she is forced to confront her past and rethink everything she’s ever known. Is her mother truly in danger, or are Anna’s visions merely illusion? And could the great Houdini really be her father, or is it just another of Marguerite’s tricks?
But even with that being said, I really did enjoy it. I thought it was quite interesting to read about an illegitimate daughter of the famed Houdini. It's not very often you read about him in anything. I actually really don't know much about him except that he was a really great magician. This book made me want to find out more about him (I think I might look him up on Wiki).
The story was pretty good as well, once it finally started to pick up pace and keep me interested. I enjoyed Anna's abilities or feeling others emotions and the visions she would get. I have always been fascinated by the aspect of psychic abilities. I used to be envious of people that had them (I know, pretty lame haha).
I did enjoy Anna's character, flaws and all. She was tired of being her mother's lackey, tired of her mother being jealous of her and wanting to get out. I don't blame her. Anna was a strong willed individual and very stubborn. I enjoy stubbornness to a point, and Brown did not push her over the edge with that.
Cole was quite the mysterious guy. I love mysteriousness. It keeps you guessing and wanting more. I think every good book needs someone mysterious.
I do recommend this book to anyone who likes magic and psychic abilities. I'm eagerly anticipating the next book, Born of Deception. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Anna and Cole.
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January 12, 2014
Unbreakable by Kami Garcia
Author: Kami Garcia
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Horror
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Source: YABE
Purchase: Amazon | TBD | B&N | Kobo
I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.
When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.
Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.
This book read a lot like Supernatural, you know, the TV show with the ruggedly handsome Dean and his equally handsome brother, Sam? OMG, totally worth the read. But instead of Dean and Sam, you have Jared and Lukas, two totally handsome and swoon worthy guys. So with them and the ghosts and demons of this book, I definitely had to say, "yes please!".
Kennedy is a very strong individual who has taken on a lot since her father walked out on her and her mom, and then later, maybe 10 years, her mother dies. And, instead of going to the boarding school her aunt wants to send her to, she decides to go on the run once her life is threatened by a vengeance spirit. But she doesn't go alone, she goes with Jared and Lukas and gets caught up in their world.
This book is filled with excitement, horror, romance and just awesomeness! Garcia takes you on one heck of a thrill ride with this one and her writing technique is nothing short of amazing! I am always happy with whatever I read of hers and I can't wait for the next book to come out!
January 7, 2014
Teardrop by Lauren Kate
Author: Lauren Kate
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Genre: Mythology, YA, Fantasy
Release Date: Oct 22nd 2013
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Never, ever cry... Seventeen-year-old Eureka won't let anyone close enough to feel her pain. After her mother was killed in a freak accident, the things she used to love hold no meaning. She wants to escape, but one thing holds her back: Ander, the boy who is everywhere she goes, whose turquoise eyes are like the ocean. And then Eureka uncovers an ancient tale of romance and heartbreak, about a girl who cried an entire continent into the sea. Suddenly her mother's death and Ander's appearance seem connected, and her life takes on dark undercurrents that don't make sense. Can everything you love be washed away?
I really loved the whole idea of this amazing story! I have always been fascinated by the stories of Atlantis. So when I read the blurb on this book, I knew I had to read it. Even if it didn't mention anything about Atlantis, just the idea of someone crying a continent into the sea? Now that deserves a read!
Eureka is such a strong person. I don't know what I would do if I lost one of my parents. I don't think that I would have gone as far as Eureka did by trying to commit suicide though. It seems everyone is against her, making her try to forget she lost her mom just a few months prior to the events taking place. Her step-mom is total witch, and that is putting it mildly. I was a step-parent for 10 years (still consider myself one now), and I didn't treat the kids the way she treats Reka. She tells her what to do and how to be, and seems to make all the decisions with her regarding her life without consulting her husband. Now maybe I was a cool step-parent, but I always made sure I cleared things that affected the kids with my ex first, just because they simply were not mine.
Brooks, he seemed like a cool guy. He was fun, laid back and understanding. He had a thing for Eureka but didn't push the subject with her. He also was understanding with her about her mom. Since they grew up together, they were like family. It wasn't until the middle of the book where I started to not like him. (You'll have to read it to find out why).
Ander was a mystery. He always seemed to be there where Eureka was, but no one ever saw him watching. I admit, the watching thing is pretty creepy, but there is a good explanation for it in the book. I would love to meet someone like Ander, especially with the eyes like turquoise. He's also quite passionate about things, which is another plus for me.
There were some aspects that I didn't quite like. For one, Eureka kept pushing people away. Okay, so her mom died, I understand, but when someone is trying to help you, you would think that you would want it. You would want someone to lean on for support. She just didn't seem to trust anyone enough for that, especially her dad. There was also the fact that her twins brother and sister are four years old but acted like they were a bit older at some points in the book and then they acted like an actual four year old in other parts (I have a four year old, so I know the difference). Also, everyone is pushing for Eureka to forget about her mom, even her shrink. I don't know if that's how shrink's really are, but you would think that they would want you to embrace what happened so you can move on, not forget about it, and especially forget about someone you love, someone who brought you into the world.
Because of some of the things I didn't like I decided to give this a 4 star rating out of 5. I do highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mythology and fantasy. Even if you haven't read anything by Lauren Kate in the past, you should read this! I think this will make you a huge fan!
January 2, 2014
Splintered by A.G. Howard
Author: A.G. Howard
Publisher: Amulet Books
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Paranormal
Release Date: Jan 1, 2013
Source: YABE
Purchase: Amazon | TBD | B&N | Kobo
Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.
At first I really seemed to have a hard time getting into this book though. Then I got sick and I didn't feel like reading it. So I really took my time reading this one. But I'm glad that I did because Howard had so much detail in this one. It was dark and alluring. The setting of this book was so vivid and imaginative and sometimes disturbing. It made me want to read the original book by Lewis Carroll so I could compare notes. This book also had some surprise twists to the end which was another plus for me.
I really enjoyed the heroine, Alyssa. She wasn't your typical preppy type girl or even the relaxed laid back type. She was punk/alternative and she reminded me of everything that I wanted to be in high school, but fell short of. She has a unique skater girl style mixed with grungy punky flares. The clothes that Howard described in this were just amazing, you could actually visualize what Al was wearing in such vivid detail. And her attitude toward life, aside from thinking she is delusional and crazy like her mom and every other female in her family, was real. She didn't think that she was amazing or all that, she just lived life and tried to not get in anyone's way. But she also knew that there was something different about her but wasn't quite willing to admit it to herself or anyone else.
Now the two guys, oh my. Jeb was not your typical boy-next-door type. He had real family issues and real girl problems. Secretly crushing on Alyssa while dealing with a stuck up snotty girlfriend. He played Alyssa's sidekick throughout most of the book, but was sort of comical about it in the way he would speak to Morpheus and all of Wonderland. He was head strong (as most guys are) and never once doubted Alyssa when she told him all her secrets. He was a true friend and a great love interest.
Morpheus, wow. Even though you kind of hate him, you also love him. He's a netherling. Black wings, blue hair, a love of fascinating hats and wicked fun and deceit. He is everything you just love to hate. He is Alyssa's mysterious child hood friend and her ultimate undoing. But he pulls through in the end for her and that's when you realize that he actually has true feelings for our heroine.
I am definitely in LOVE with this dark, twisted and intriguing different Wonderland. The characters, the plot, the story in general. I can't wait to read Unhinged, book 2 in this great series. And I can't wait to read more from this amazing author!
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