October 31, 2017

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Halloween Reads

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. It was created due to their love of lists.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Top Ten Halloween Reads - Books that definitely get me in the Halloween mood! - All are books I've read. I'll link the pictures to my reviews of them (if you wanna read more about them and my thoughts) and the titles to Goodreads. :)

1. Anna Dressed In Blood (Anna #1) by Kendare Blake - Who doesn't love some ghost hunting and a ghost with blood dripping off her dress that won't die?

2. Nevermore (Nevermore #1) by Kelly Creagh - This one is a long time favorite of mine! If you haven't read it, go! I love helping make new fans of this one! It incorporates Edgar Allan Poe! And shadows and nightmares! LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!

3. The Name of The Star (Shades of London #1) by Maureen Johnson - Jack the Ripper type story anyone?? I promise. Totally worth the read!!! 

4. Masque Of The Red Death (Masque Of The Red Death #1) by Bethany Griffin - Another book based on an Edgar Allan Poe story! I can't get enough of these types of books! 

5. Dearly, Departed (Gone With The Respiration #1) by Lia Habel - It's Halloween! We have to have a book with Zombies in here right!!! 

6. Falling Under (Falling Under #1) by Gwen Hayes - A place called Under? Making deals with the devil. Definitely falls under Halloween for me!

7. My Soul To Take (Soul Screamers #1) by Rachel Vincent - Banshee's! Sensing when someone is about to die. Screaming bloody murder because of it. If you have not read the Soul Screamers series, I highly recommend you do so! It is absolutely fantastic!

8. Everneath (Everneath #1) by Brodi Ashton - The underworld! Feeding on the emotions of humans in despair. Definitely a Halloween read for sure! 

9. Angelfire (Angelfire #1) by Courtney Allison Moulton - Creatures stalking in the darkness, killing reapers. This definitely earns a spot on my Halloween reads list!

10. Pure (Pure #1) by Julianna Baggott - This one made my list, not because I think it's got a Halloween theme or type of character, but because of the creepy, dark factor it has. When I first read this book I was definitely creeped out by a number of the creatures introduced and was shocked at many of the dark elements in this book. That is why it has a spot on my Halloween list!

Read more »

September 03, 2012

Review: Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh

Enshadowed (Nevermore #2)
Author: Kelly Creagh
Publisher: Atheneum
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Pages: 429
Source: Hardcover/Own

True love takes a twisted turn in the second book of this modern gothic romance trilogy channeling the dark brilliance of Edgar Allan Poe.

While Varen remains a prisoner in a perilous dream world where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life, Isobel travels to Baltimore to confront the dark figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster. This man, the same man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams and abandoned her in Varen’s nightmare world, holds the key to saving Varen.

But when Isobel discovers a way to return to this dream world, she finds herself swept up in a realm that not only holds remnants of Edgar Allan Poe’s presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen’s innermost self. It is a dark world of fear, terror, and anger.

When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. And now Isobel must face a new adversary—one who also happens to be her greatest love.

Review: I'm not even sure what to say about this book. I really enjoyed it, but I felt like it fell flat in certain areas. Lets start with what I enjoyed. I loved Isobel's dedication to saving Varen from the Dreamworld. She really wasn't the same without him and you could see it. All she thought about was him, and saving him. I also loved how she didn't let anything get in her way! No matter how scared she was she didn't let that stop her from getting to Varen. She took on whatever was tossed her way. I also LOVED Gwen in this book! Despite her initial freakout at the beginning of the book, she overcame that and stuck my Isobels side and helped her in anyway she could. She even helped with the plan to save Varen even though she didn't exactly think it was the best idea to go confronting a demon. Gwen really showed her true colors in this book and proved to be a fantastic friend to Isobel (which is more than you can say about Izzy's other so called friends.) 

I also loved how even though the link to the dreamworld was supposedly severed in Nevermore when Isobel burned Varens journal, things were still getting through. It made me wonder how they were doing it, and how it could be stopped if the initial link didn't stop it. I was also still confused at what the people who were still connected to Isobel in the dreamworld were saying to her. I've never been one to understand poetry that well, but it seemed like the things she was being told were extra confusing. Lol. I also loved how Isobel took it upon herself to try and question the heck out of any of the people to come out of it and talk to her (like Pinfeathers). I couldn't blame her. She was confused about what they kept telling her and trying to question them about it was about the only way she could get some clarity. I really enjoyed how the dreamworld seemed to flow into the real world. Sometimes you couldn't tell which was which and the action involved in those scenes were great! So intense and you just didn't want to stop reading!

What I didn't enjoy in the book however was that there was seriously no Varen. There was small little bursts here and there, but that was it. The blurb made it seem like there would be this big face-off with him and Isobel when she finally finds him and it just didn't happen. That part totally fell flat for me. There wasn't much of a scene with the two of them and it kind of made the build up of everything else in the book disappointing. I still don't know what to make of the ending. But besides that I loved the book!

4 Stars!

Read more »

September 03, 2012

Teaser Tuesday [#55]

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! just do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
4. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

1."The pain in her body came first, an intense surge of fire that raged like lava through her veins. But it could not compare with what followed after."

2. "A wail rose up from her depths. It left her as an inhuman cry."

pg. 427 of "Enshadowed (Nevermore #2)" by Kelly Creagh

Read more »

January 16, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesnt Read...

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. It was created due to their love of lists. 

This weeks topic is: Since my blog focuses on Young Adult books...
Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read Young Adult (YA)

1. Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout - OMG! If you haven't read Half-Blood or any of Jennifer's books in general drop everything and pick one up right now! She writes amazing books. Half-Blood was my first taste of her writing and I cant get enough. Awesome writer, awesome book!

2. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - First book in The Mortal Instruments series and it is so amazing! I have not met one person who doesnt like Cassandra Clare's writing!

3. The Host by Stephenie Meyer - If your at all worried it's like Twilight, its not. Its nothing like it. It's very good! And after the first few pages it gets really interesting and you dont want to put it down!

4. The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - This book is such a cute read. If you like short contemporaries and like cute stories about people falling in love this book is a good place to start!

5. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - This is my fave young adult contemporary! Its just pure amazing! If you dont start with TSPOLAFS (above #4) then I HIGHLY HIGHLY suggest you start with Anna. Ehh. I actually suggest you start with Anna anyways because of how much I love it!

6. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - I know a lot of people get tired of Angel books and give up on them but this is one everyone should read! It's one of the best Angel books I've read and if you were to start reading Angel books I'd suggest Unearthly first!

7. Divergent by Veronica Roth - Dystopian! If you wanna read a really amazing YA Dystopian I suggest you start with Divergent! I couldnt put this book down!

8. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld - This is another dystopian but it's completely different from others and I have proof people who dont read YA would like it. I read it, then I bought a copy for my best friend and she loved the series and now her mom is reading it and loving it!

9. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - Another dystopian but again, its kind of different and its one that keeps you hooked from beginning to end!

10. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh - I don't know what to specifically classify this as but it is amazing! Especially if your a fan of Edgar Allen Poe. Certain things in this book are based on his stories and he is just studied in general in this book. It is amazing!

Read more »

November 29, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday [#15]

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Enshadowed (Nevermore #2)
Author: Kelly Creagh
Expected Publication: August 28, 2012

While Varen remains a prisoner in the dream-world, Isobel is haunted by his memory. He appears to her in her dreams and soon, even in her waking life. But is she just imagining it? Isobel knows she must find a way back to Varen. She makes plans to go to Baltimore. There, she confronts the figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster—the same dark man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams, calling himself “Reynolds.” 

Isobel succeeds in interrupting the Toaster’s ritual and, in doing so, discovers a way to return to the dream-world. Soon, she finds herself swept up in a realm which not only holds remnants of Poe’s presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen’s innermost self. It is a dark world comprised of fear, terror, and anger.

When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. With his mind poisoned by the dream world, he becomes a malevolent force, bent on destroying all—even himself. Now Isobel must face a new adversary, one who also happens to be her greatest love.

So as many of you know based on my review that I absolutely loved Nevermore! I definitely cant wait for Enshadowed to come out! I have to know what happens to Varen!

Read more »

November 19, 2011

TBR Intervention Challenge [#6]

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by Dani@RefractedLight, Anayami@Whatever You Can Still Betray & April@Books4Juliet. 

The goal of this challenge is to help each other (fellow readers and bloggers) manage our enormous and constantly growing TBR (To-Be-Read) List. The rules are simple and everyone is encouraged to participate. It does not force you to commit to more than what you can manage to read in a week or so, but participants are encouraged to read at least one book within a week. You are free to choose the book you want to read and commit to this challenge. You may post your entry every Saturday, at the frequency of your choice--EVERY WEEK or EVERY TWO WEEKS. However, we will sponsor this event regularly every Saturday.

Here are the rules:

1. Post the book(s) you committed to read in your last TBR Intervention post and tell us something about it. Did you finish it? Did you enjoy it or not? Post the link to your review (if you have one).

2. Post a book that you want to read and already own. Pick something that has been sitting on your shelf for too long now (6 months or longer). Commit to read the book in the next couple of days or week.

3. Grab the TBR Intervention Button and post it on your blog sidebar so you will be constantly reminded of the challenge, making it easier for you to commit. This will also encourage other readers/bloggers/visitors to join the challenge.

4. Add the link to your post in the Linky below and make sure to visit the other blogs. Comment, encourage, and spread the love to our fellow readers.

Last weeks TBR book:

Nevermore

Author: Kelly Creagh

So I finished this! I actually read it Thursday night into Friday. I finished it in less than 24 hours! I loved it! I'm really happy I finally got around to reading it before returning it to the library! Well, I'm gonna leave it at that and let you guys read what I thought about it in my review. Review: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

This week I'm committing to read:

Firelight 

Author: Sophie Jordan

Summary from Goodreads: 

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide. 

I've had Firelight on my shelf since my B-day in September. I've been really wanting to get to it but I just havent put it in my schedule. Well, I am now! I'm done staring it down but not picking it up and reading it. Lol. Its coming off the TBR shelf this week!

Read more »

November 19, 2011

Review: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Nevermore (Nevermore #1)
Author: Kelly Creagh
Publisher: Atheneum
Publication Date: August 31, 2010
Pages: 542
Source: Hardcover/Library

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

Review: I absolutely loved this book! First of all, I absolutely LOVED all the Edgar Allen Poe in this book. I personally love Edgar Allen Poe myself, and even did a research paper on him in 8th grade! Also, let me put it in here that this book was so good that I finished it in less than a day! 543 in less than a day!!!! So I really enjoyed the whole story. I really wanna talk about Varen first! OMG! I dont know if it's just me or what but he sounds so hot! I've always kind of liked guys that sound like him so I like got this immediate crush on Varen when I was reading! I really liked the whole not knowing much about him. It made you want to read more so you could find out about him. I also really liked how he read books! You cant go wrong with a guy that actually reads books! 

Now for Isobel & Varen. I really liked them together. Even though they were never officially together. Lol. I loved how even when Isobel didnt know him that well after first getting assigned to work with him she still stuck up for him. Thats a big move for someone whose popular. I also really really liked when Isobel dumped Brad. I'm sorry. He was just way too obnoxious and in your face for my liking. Not to mention he got in Varens face for talking to Isobel. Uh, they were working on a project together! They kind of HAD to talk. I thought it was really stupid that everyone flipped out on Isobel for hanging out with Varen. I've hung out with people that weren't in the same "clique" as me and nobody flipped out like that. I mean seriously.

Now, the whole thing with the shadows. I thought that the shadows being based out of Edgar Allen Poe's works was so creative! I'll admit I probably wouldnt have thought of doing something like that. At first I couldnt figure out why the shadows just suddenly started appearing to Isobel. Then as the story went on it started making sense. I never really liked Reynolds. I always felt there was something shady about him and in the end, I was pretty much proven right. The end, I was sad with what happened at the end. But now I can't wait for Enshadowed to come out to see what happens next! 

5 Stars!

Read more »

November 12, 2011

TBR Intervention Challenge [#5]

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by Dani@RefractedLight, Anayami@Whatever You Can Still Betray & April@Books4Juliet. 
  
The goal of this challenge is to help each other (fellow readers and bloggers) manage our enormous and constantly growing TBR (To-Be-Read) List. The rules are simple and everyone is encouraged to participate. It does not force you to commit to more than what you can manage to read in a week or so, but participants are encouraged to read at least one book within a week. You are free to choose the book you want to read and commit to this challenge. You may post your entry every Saturday, at the frequency of your choice--EVERY WEEK or EVERY TWO WEEKS. However, we will sponsor this event regularly every Saturday.

Here are the rules: 

1. Post the book(s) you committed to read in your last TBR Intervention post and tell us something about it. Did you finish it? Did you enjoy it or not? Post the link to your review (if you have one).
 

2. Post a book that you want to read and already own. Pick something that has been sitting on your shelf for too long now (6 months or longer). Commit to read the book in the next couple of days or week.
 

3. Grab the TBR Intervention Button and post it on your blog sidebar so you will be constantly reminded of the challenge, making it easier for you to commit. This will also encourage other readers/bloggers/visitors to join the challenge.
 

4. Add the link to your post in the Linky below and make sure to visit the other blogs. Comment, encourage, and spread the love to our fellow readers.
 

Last Weeks TBR Book: 

Shiver

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

OMG! I honestly wasnt sure if I was gonna like this book when I first saw it. Now that I've read it I love it! I cant believe I waited to read this! I really did enjoy it. I'll leave it at that. So here's my review (Yes I actually have my review up for once XD): Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

This week I'm committing to read: 

Nevermore

Author: Kelly Creagh

Summary from Goodreads: 

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

So I've had this checked out from the library for 5 week now. I rechecked it out last time I went and I'm not returning it until I read it! So since it's due next weekend I figure this week is the perfect time to make sure I read it. :)

Read more »