Review: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Title: Sweet Evil

Author: Wendy Higgins

Series: Sweet Evil

Book #: 1

Pages: 464
Reading Level: YA

Book Rating: 

Goodreads Rating: 4.41

T.B.Published: May 1st, 2012




What if there were teens whose lives depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.



Tenderhearted Southern girl, Anna Whitt, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.



A cross-country trip to meet her father forces Anna to face the reality that hope and love are not options for her kind. When she confronts her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?



Taschima's POV:



Sweet Evil hits all the right spots. I can honestly say I was captivated beyond belief with with novel. The characters, the plot, the folklore, the angels, the demons... It's the most refreshing take on the battle between good and evil, between angels and demons, that I have seen in quite a while. You have to read this!



Sweet Evil... it even has a cool name. And a fantastic cover. And a kick ass story line with good characters who develop throughout the story and are believable. The bad boy doesn't change his roots over night, the good girl doesn't change her personality over night either, and the extra characters are enjoyable. No love triangle (sorry for those who like them, hooray for those who don't), and the romance it's steaaamy! It had my reaching for my fan a couple of times.



Let's start with what drives every story, the characters. Anna, while at first I was annoyed with the whole good girl thing as the story advanced she grew on me. She started growing and coming out of her shell while still remaining a good and strong girl at heart. The only thing left annoying about her? The crying. She seemed to cry every other page. Get a grip girl. Stop crying a fucking river. Bad things happen. But other than that we are good, I really like you and think we could be great friends.



But the one who kept me at the edge of my seat was definitely Kaidan, oh boy. If there ever was a swoon worthy character in YA literature is him.  He i
s the son of the Duke of Lust for crying out loud! Being sexy is his job! Plus he is British!!! Freaking sexy accent going on in my head. Every time he let out a "luv" I was hyperventilating. Though sometimes I think the British didn't show enough.



The story as a whole was fantastic. As I said before it was a new take on the battle between angels and demons, but it also had a new take on the son's and daughter's of the fallen angels, the Nephilim. It. Was. So. GOOD! Entertaining! You have to give it a try. The Nephilim are supposed to be bad influences. That is a pretty cool idea. There are also guardian angels, demon whisperers, the messenger of Lucifer... It has a lot, and I can only imagine what is going to come next.



Definitely one of the best books of 2012.

I started reading Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Expected Publication: May 01, 2012

"My father is here!" 

Fear paralyzed me.

A demon. A real demon was here, right now, I hadn't factored in this possibility. I'd thought he would be in New York. I wanted to run, but Kaidan pulled me toward the couch and pushed me onto the cushions. He ripped open the front of my blouse, and I sucked in a breath to scream."

So I've been in this kind of book slump for the past week. But today my last class of the day was canceled so I had a couple of hours to myself with nothing to do. I picked up Sweet Evil because the summary interested me, plus someone recommended it to me on a comment. I started reading at 2. At 3 when I finally come up for air, because I figure I should get some school work done, I notice that I am already on pg. 119 of the book. Damn! It is very interesting, and alluring. The boy has an English accent. I picture him as a much younger and unskilled Bones from Night Huntress series, only completely different. If that makes any sense. The girl gets on my nerves because of how her character is by nature, but I am hoping for some much needed character development. Keep on reading!

Books to die for!

I found some good ones this past week. You are going to love them all.

September 2012

by Random House

You can't choose your family ...living or dead. 

Trapped between two very different worlds, newly made vampire Moth is struggling to find her place in either. Not only does she have to answer to her strict Irish-Catholic Dad, but her over-protective maker, Theo, is intent on making her the star attraction in his powerful Boston vampire clan. Moth will have to pull off the double-act of the century to please both of them... 

Adding to her problems is the dangerously attractive Jason Murdoch, a trainee vampire hunter who loves to play cat and mouse in his spare time (Jace = cat; Moth = mouse). But when the teenagers of Boston's wealthiest families start to disappear, it forces Moth and Jace into an uneasy truce. Will they be able to solve the mystery behind the disappearances - before someone winds up undead?

September 11th 2012

by Random House Children's Books

Summer is the best part of the year in Winston, California, and the Fourth of July is the highlight of the season. But the perfect town Clare remembers has changed, and everyone is praying that this summer will be different from the last two—that this year's Fourth of July festival won't see one of their own vanish without a trace, leaving no leads and no suspects. The media are in a frenzy predicting a third disappearance, but the town depends on tourist dollars, so the residents of Winston are trying desperately to pretend nothing's wrong. 

And they're not the only ones hiding something. 

Clare, a seamstress who redesigns vintage clothing, has been blessed—or perhaps cursed—with a gift: she can see people's pasts when she touches their clothes. When she stumbles across a denim jacket that once belonged to Amanda Stavros, last year's Fourth of July victim, Clare sees her perfect town begin to come apart at the seams. 

In a town where appearance means everything, how deep beneath the surface will Clare dig to uncover a murderer? 

April 10th 2012

by Candlewick Press

The first time his father disappeared, Tucker Feye had just turned thirteen. The Reverend Feye simply climbed on the roof to fix a shingle, let out a scream, and vanished — only to walk up the driveway an hour later, looking older and worn, with a strange girl named Lahlia in tow. In the months that followed, Tucker watched his father grow distant and his once loving mother slide into madness. But then both of his parents disappear. 

Now in the care of his wild Uncle Kosh, Tucker begins to suspect that the disks of shimmering air he keeps seeing — one right on top of the roof — hold the answer to restoring his family. And when he dares to step into one, he's launched on a time-twisting journey — from a small Midwestern town to a futuristic hospital run by digitally augmented healers, from the death of an ancient prophet to a forest at the end of time. Inevitably, Tucker's actions alter the past and future, changing his world forever. 

Kicking off a riveting sci-fi trilogy, National Book Award winner Pete Hautman plunges us into a world where time is a tool — and the question is, who will control it?

 Falling to Ash has a very interesting cover, and even more interesting summary. Oh vampires, I do miss you. It seems my life has been over populated with dystopian novels lately. Time to bring the vamp back! Hanging by a Thread's cover is BEAUTIFUL. Love the red, the blood... Mysterious sort of detective novel, searching for the murderer! Now The Obsidian Blade seems to me something great for guys and girls. The cover is pretty kick ass and the summary is super interesting. Can't wait for that one!

Bookish Question: Do You Have Times When...

Oh Emma, you are amazing.

You finish a book you really liked and then you just don't know what the hell to pick up next. You have an idea of what mood you are in, but you just can't seem to pick up something and commit to it. That's where I am right now. I finished Divergent by Veronica Roth (liked it) and I had this poll where I asked you guys what I should pick up next. It was between Juliet Immortal and The Pledge. The Pledge won, but after I considered it I realized I needed a small break from dystopian (if I read about another messed up society right now I might just not like it that much). I considered reading Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (because I've had it for forever and well everybody seems to love her books... I am a Sarah Dessen virgin -Hello! I am a supernatural girl and Sarah writes contemporary, not that surprising I haven't read anything by her), and then I considered going ahead and reading Lost In Time by Melissa De La Cruz (even though I am debating on waiting on it so I can re -read the entire series). And this is really horrible because before this block happened I was in a great place, reading book after book after book.

And now I am lost. Don't know what to pick... and I went to Books a Million today in the hopes of buying J.R.Ward's new book Lover Reborn (bought it, just not on Books a Million because it was about $30 there. Amazon for $16... I am a poor college student) instead I got The Carrie Diaries (YA sex and the city? I am in), Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, WTF? How to survive 101 of Life's Worst F-ing Situations, and OMG! Guys-How to Survive 101 of the Most F'ed Dating Situations (HILARIOUS! Me and my friend couldn't stop laughing). I am not helping my situation by buying even MORE books, but I can feel happy that I have these at my disposal to choose from.

I think right now (at least now until Lover Reborn gets here by mail because I am SOOO hitting that) I am in the mood for some romance, maybe with witty banter, and a hot male lead (sans dystopian). Any suggestions? And have you guys ever been in my situation? What did you do to snap out of it?

Breaking Dawn Part 2 Official Clip

Sooo there's a clip I thought some of you would enjoy. 

I haven't yet watched Part 1, I should do that soon. Maybe this summer. Maybe. How was it? I watched the long trailer when I went to see The Hunger Games, and it was FUNNY. Bella appears at the end with red eyes and a poor deer stands near by. Everybody knew the deer was screwed. Oh good times.

Review: The Hunger Games (Movie)

IMDB

 .5

Oh the movie. Much speculation was put into it, and really reviewing it right now seems like a big job to tackle. So here is what I think about it after my first watch:

I liked it. A LOT. I did, I really did, my friends were a little sceptical and they kept saying that something was missing from it. Sure some scenes were hurried along, and some details were left out, but as with any book adaptation this is BOUND to happen. Maybe if they divided every movie into two parts then fans could be completely satisfied. As for what they did with the movie, giving their limitations of the movie being told completely from Katniss' point of view, and us not being able to be constantly aware of what she is thinking, I think they did a bang up job. I really do. I enjoyed it, and I think a lot of fans will too.

Things that irked me:

1. The whole story of the pin, which I have already discussed, still bothered me.
   
   
2. Katniss didn't scream Peeta as soon as they said that two of them could win. This may be something small, a detail really, but it meant a lot. It meant that she unconsciously cared so much to put herself on risk, even if it was just for a moment.
   
   
3. Katniss and Rue didn't discuss their districts with each other at all. This helps the audience see how other districts are actually worse to live in than district 12, and it gives us information on other districts.
   
   
4. Katniss and Peeta never discussed bread. Which means that they cut the bread offered by district 11 out of the movie since the conversation didn't take place and so Katniss wouldn't understand where the bread came from. A sign of rebellion, a sign of union, all in a token of their gratitude.
   
   
5. The cornucopia looked nothing like I thought it would look. It looked very military like, and just wrong.
   
   
6. The psychological torture was missing. The whole dogs with human eyes at the end? Didn't happen. The dogs attacked them sure, but Katniss nor any other competitor noticed the eyes of the other tributes in the dogs. This was disappointing, and it really couldn't have been very difficult to attain. Some showing of the dogs eyes and then maybe rue's eyes to draw comparison and a gasp and woala! You get psychological fucked-up-ness.
   
7. Cinna. Just, no. The actor, all wrong. You sucked Lenny Kravitz.
   
   
8. Peeta didn't say "You here to finish me off sweetheart?" Which is by far the best Peeta quote so HOW COULD YOU HAVE MISSED IT? IT IS ONLY LINES GOD DAMN IT! Same thing as with Katniss screaming his name, it wouldn't have taken much really, just a few sounds string together.

Things that excited me:

1. The behind the scenes, scenes. It was pretty clever to show how the games worked from behind the scenes, and pretty cool to see all the gadgets and things the capitol used to make the games.
   
   
2. I am in eternal awe of Jennifer Lawrence, from now to forever. She is Katniss, there is no doubt in my mind. She is sooo amazing. The embodied her, the gazes, the actions, the way she moves... a bit of a girl crush is taking place over here. But she is so good as an actress!
   
   
3. Aw Peeta and Katniss scenes. You could see that Peeta was way more into Katniss than Katniss into Peeta. You could just see it in the little things he did. He played his role well. He really did. I think something was missing from this Peeta though, but that something is what is to come in Catching Fire. After all, The Hunger Games is just the introduction, and the next books are where the character come to grow and become the person they are to become by making choices that not only affect them but their entire world. The kiss between them had various ladies in the theatre asking for more, yours included.
   
   
4. Effie. She was DEAD ON. I swear to god she couldn't have been better (even though the plaster of white make up creeped me out; I think it was supposed to).
   
   
5. Basically if your name isn't Cinna, you played your role well. True, Haymitch could have always been a little bit drunker, but he played his role of drunk turned into mentor pretty well.
   
   
6. Gale, you were hot with your smouldering gazes. You didn't play a large role sure because you just don't on this instalment, but you made a hot impression in my mind.
   
   
7. They showed other districts actually rebelling. Fighting and stuff, things we don't get to see in the book because of the limited point of view but that we get to find out about in the next book. It was pretty neat.
   
   
8. They made it serious but at times funny. Or maybe it was just us being all geedy because WE KNEW. We knew why they did that, we read it and now we were watching it before our eyes.

So half and half. It is always easier though to point out the things that they left out, which were various. As a whole the movie kicked ass. It was a tough order to live up to. I enjoyed it. And I expect that the following movies will be building onto this one and that they will be even better.

PS; They put the song, Safe and Sound, at the end in the credits... Pissed, but I was expecting it.

Today is Hunger Games Day!

Today is the day we have all been waiting for! I feel like a citizen of Panem right now, waiting eagerly for the games to begin. But seriously we have been waiting for way too long and the day is finally here!! I will be going with my friends, both who have read the books (thanks to me), and we will be leaving at 9:30 and making the line till 12. I feel as excited as if another Harry Potter movie was about to come out!

What do you think it's going to happen? Do you think the movie will suck? Do you think it's going to be great? How many things do you think they are going to change? I will be posting a poll on the left sidebar regarding premonitions on the movie. Remember to vote!

Bookish Question: When a new book in a series comes out...

And you push it back and then you realize it's been like a year since you pushed it back, enough time to not completely remember what was happening in the first place, or a new book comes out from a series you like but you don't really remember some details of the book before or the series in general because it's a long series, do you read the book and figure the details will come to you or do you just choose to re-read from book one and get caught up in the story line again?

 

I have both these problems right now. On one hand I have had The Strange Angels book #3 and 4, Jealousy (out in 2010) and Defiance (out in 2011), on my shelf  for ages and I wanted to finally get to them and read them, but by now I don't really remember every detail in the story because it's been a long time coming.

On the other hand I just bought Lost in Time (Blue Bloods #6) by Melissa De La cruz and I kind of think I should re read it all just so I have all the stories straight since it's a pretty long series and I am sure some sort of detail must have escaped my mind by now.

If you were in my position, and I am sure at one time or another you have been in this position, what would you choose to do? Re-read the series or just go ahead and read the book and get caught up as you read?

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Series: Divergent

Book #: 1

Pages: 487
Reading Level: YA

Book Rating: 

Goodreads Rating: 4.39

Published: May 3rd, 2011

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

Taschima's POV:


I have mixed feelings about Divergent. In one hand I loved it because it was entertaining, I liked and connected with the characters, I enjoyed the tests and challenges these crazy kids put themselves through, and I found the idea of dividing factions by their innate characteristics interesting. On the other hand the book was inconsistent, character wise, and it wasn't a strong world builder. That irked me to no end, but if you can take it at face value and not think too much about it then Divergent could possibly blow your mind.

Tris, the main character, was a girl I could connect with because she wasn't perfect. I like that about her, it makes her unique in my head. I liked that she choose her own path as it was. What I didn't like about her is how in one page she can be all about how friendships are all important and on the next completely ignore the friendships she developed in the story. It made no sense. So there was some character inconsistency. Also people tried to help her throughout the novel and she didn't seem to get it, for a pretty smart girl she was acting pretty dumb at times. Something else I found really freaking weird? She is described as looking like a 12 year old. No boobs, blonde hair, short. But she could still take on someone twice her size... No.

Romance wise I enjoyed it a lot. I love Four, he is tough as nails. He is Tris' trainer per se (only 2 years older). He is a sort of camp leader. I liked that he didn't just have this urge to protect Tris all the f ing time, instead he pushed her in order for her to find her strength. Thank you for not treating her like a little girl (even though she basically looks like one).

I can't stop myself any longer. I would have given this book a 5 star sure and been blind to all the little things that irked me (due to sheer entertainment, I give stars according to how much I like a book not how AWESOME it is written) if not for the fatal pg. 446, right by the end. Something happen that was so out of character of our heroine that I just couldn't. I had to make space between me and the book, I was that upset. [Spoiler] She kills Will (one of her "best friends", her other "best friend's" boyfriend, a guy that PROTECTED her). Why would the author make this desicion? IT MAKES NO SENSE! Sure Will was being "brain washed" to kill everybody on sight, but he was BRAIN WASHED, HE COULDN'T CONTROL HIMSELF. I was fixing to write an email to Veronica myself to ask for some answers! It is so out of character and completely not necessary. It was a senseless death, plain and simple. And if it was supposed to show how tough as nails Tris had become then it failed miserably. It actually made me dislike her. It has been the worst decision to ever happen since Rowling killed Fred. Thus ends my rant [ENDS Spoiler] If you wish to read what I wrote just highlight the space. And I am still upset. The thing that happen didn't make sense. It shows how inconsistent the book can be, and it just shifted the whole dynamic of the entire book.

Fun? Yes. Full of action? Yes. Interesting? Yes. Does it have its flaws? Abso-fucking-lutely. Will I read Insurgent?... YES. It is a love/hate relationship this book and I now have. I loved it for most of the book, and then I hated it. But then I sort of looked back towards the first pages and loved it again, and I think that it still has hope for the future.

The Worst of 2012

I am compiling a list of the best reads of 2012, I figured I might as well compile a list of the worst as well. Here it goes:

• The Hunger Pains by Harvard Lampoon
• Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Hope this list won't grow any longer!

I started reading Divergent by Veronica Roth

Goodreads

Published: May 3rd 2011

"I believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another"

 -•-

"I might not need you to help me. Ever think about that?" I say. "I'm not weak, you know. I can do this on my own."

He shakes his head. "You think my first instinct is to protect you. because you're small, or a girl, or a Stiff. But you're wrong."

He leans his face close to mine and wraps his fingers around my chin. His hand smells like metal. When was the last time he held a gun, or a knife? My skin tingles at the point of contact, like he's transmitting electricity through his skin.

"My first instinct is to push you until you break, just to see how hard I have to press," he says, his fingers squeezing at the word "break." My body tenses at the edge in his voice, so I am coiled as tight as a spring, and I forget to breathe."

I waited far too long for this book. It is so good. The factions, the characters, the relationships, the challenges... Everything by now is pretty much awesome. Have you guys read this book? If you haven't you should. Tris is a bold girl, I like her. The thing about her is that she is not a hero, she is just a regular kid and you can sympathise with her and see yourself in her shoes. Most of the girls I read about have super powers, or they almost always feel the right things (they are selfless, caring, etc). Tris isn't afraid to at times feel selfish, or envious, or anything like that. She is just her. Love her!

And if you can please vote on the left sidebar for what book should I tackle next that would be great! For now it seems The Pledge is winnig so excited!

Review: Seven Seasons of Buffy Edited by Glenn Yeffeth

Title: Seven Seasons of Buffy

Author: Various

Series: Nope

Book #: 1

Pages: 240

Reading Level: For Anybody

Book Rating: 

Goodreads Rating: 3.84

Published: Sept. 10, 2003

** COMPLETELY UNAUTHORIZED **

This collection of irreverent and surprising essays about the popular television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" includes pieces by leading science fiction and fantasy authors. Contributors include bestselling legend David Brin, critically acclaimed novelist Scott Westerfield, cult-favorite vampire author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and award-winner Sarah Zettel. The show and its cast are the topics of such critical pieces as Lawrence Watt-Evans's "Matchmaking in Hellmouth" and Sherrilyn Kenyon's "The Search for Spike's Balls." An informed introduction for those not well acquainted with the show, and a source of further research for Buffy buffs, this book raises interesting questions concerning a much-loved program and future cult classic.

Taschima's POV:


Are you the kind of Buffy fan that declares that Buffy was the ultimate T.V. Series? Are you the kind of Buffy fan that bought the series and watched it over and over and over again? Are you the kind of fan that discusses with your fellow Buffy mates various points of the series? Like what went wrong, what went great, and things like that? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this IS the book for you. This book will give you plenty of things to ponder long after you finish reading it. The essays will stay with you for days, even the ones that annoy you because they just don't think like you think. And at the very least I can assure you that after finishing it, or heck even while reading it, you will go to your special DVD space, pick up that beloved yet used up box set and sit down to watch it all over again.

The Smart Pop books are not like normal books. Smart Pop books are basically a bunch of essays put together that deal with a specific main thing in pop culture, literature, etc. This book in specific deals with a pop culture phenomenon that is very close to my heart, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. How much of a vampire slayer geek am I? I love it with every fibber of my being. The show, the characters, the romance, relationships, bonds, Spike, Spike, Spike, everything! And speaking as a Buffy Geek I can tell you that it was fun to read various different ideas when it comes to Buffy. Some of these essays went against everything I believe in when it comes to the Buffy universe(like one essay discusses how Willow and Tara's relationship is not the healthiest relationship in the entire Buffy Universe -I think it is-, and Spike not being the ultimate mate for Buffy -which he totally is and I could write my OWN essay listing the reasons why) and some others had me screaming "YES!", "Exactly!", and "I am go glad you pointed that out!".

Some of my favorites: 

• Is That Your Final Answer...? by Roxanne Longstreet Conrad 
• The Meaning of Buffy BY MARGUERITE KRAUSE 
• Love Saves the World BY JEAN LORRAH 
• Dating Death BY JENNIFER CRUSIE 
• A Buffy Confession BY JUSTINE LARBALESTIER (It was a good essay even if the ending sort of screw it up a bit)

There are a LOT of essays. So because of this these book won't go by in the blink of an eye like if it was a normal fictional story. You have to take your time and not hurry yourself through it because if not you will not completely enjoy it. That's my advice. What I found interesting about the essays is that I enjoyed the essays written by people that I basically know nothing about, but the people I do know something about (Charlaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Scott Westerfeld) I didn't enjoy as much.

There is definitely a little of everything for everybody. A lot of different interesting opinions. Like I said if you love Buffy and love talking about it and discussing it read this book. It's totally for you.

PS; something that disappointed me is that no one tackled the question of who is in reality the better man, who is gooder (if that is even a word), Angel or Spike? This question is one me and my fellow friend talk about a lot. We think Spike is the better man, more good, for many many reasons.So, disappointed nobody tackled that, but maybe I will take the time sometime to tackle this in an essay on my own free time.

Review and Giveaway: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Title: Grave Mercy

Author: Robin LaFevers

Series: His Fair Assasin

Book #: 1

Pages: 564

Reading Level: YA

Book Rating: .5

Goodreads Rating: 4.25

T.B.Published: April 3rd, 2012

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

Taschima's POV:

Grave Mercy is everything you like about the old tales of medieval times with a twist. There is love, secrets, loyalty, and war, minus the damsel in distress because Ismae is anything but helpless. In fact, she ends up saving the lives of everybody in this story a couple of times. Gotta love a woman who is armed to her teeth while still wearing the facade of a proper lady. She has a freaking bracelet that is a weapon in disguise used to CHOKE PEOPLE. Ah, good times.

What I liked about this novel was how complex it was. It is so very different from every other YA novel out there. It is more serious, and it deals with a lot of real issues that were present back in the day that can still resonate with people in today's age. It doesn't have vampires or werewolves or ghosts or anything like that and I still found it enjoyable beyond belief. It does deal with gods, as in mythology gods, but they are not called gods and Death doesn't go by the name of Hades. In this case they are saints, it's pretty weird but really it isn't that different. It is also set in a time that hasn't been in the spotlight for quite sometime, the medieval. It is so unique, and so in it's own time and space that is difficult to compare it to anything else I have read recently or even in the last few years. But don't worry it isn't so foreign that you won't be able to connect with the characters, specially the main girl since she could be part of the kick ass heroines club; in fact her membership has just been approved.

That leads me to Ismae. She is something else. She has all the etiquette that comes with being a proper lady but still she is a freaking assassin! An assassin nun! She knows her poisons, she knows her weapons, and she knows how to spy. She also has an inquisitive mind and asks lots of questions, by the end of the novel there is a lot of character development and lets just say that Ismae will surprise you. Give this girl some props. The only thing she isn't so well versed at is flirting, or as they call it in the book the "womanly arts", but I think that she holds her own, that is whenever she is not close to Duval she holds her own, when he is near, well, she gets some butterflies in her stomach. Duval is brave, smart, and can hold his ground when it comes to flirting and fighting (I liked that). But he is surrounded by mystery and for half the novel is under suspicion... Is he a true knight or is he playing us all for fools? All that Grave Mercy's characters were missing was sarcastic banter, which is probably why I didn't give it 5 hearts (what can I say? I love banter).

The romance is so sweet and believable. It isn't love at first sight, it's actually annoyance at first sight. Then the trust starts building up and everything starts working. The romantic scenes were far in between, but they are so teasing! Every time I was like "jeeez get on with it already, you are killing me here!".

Sometime that might annoy some people is how long it is and it isn't very fast paced. Over 500 pages... But I read it in like 2 days so imagine that! It will not be for everybody true, but the story is so good it can only get better from here so I suggest that everybody give it a try.

Grave Mercy is everything the cover promised. Overall I gotta say I really liked the book, the idea is fabulous and unique, and the rest of the books seen to hold a lot of promise. Every book (3 in total) is going to be about a different assassin that we have been introduced in this book (which makes me very happy because I want to know their stories as well) and the author did a great job of introducing us to them while not completely giving us their story. Leaves you wanting more...

Giveaway Rules:

1. Follow Bloody Bookaholic =D
2. Leave a comment on this post and enter your name in the form below.
3. US only.

Click on the title of this post in order to see the giveaway Entry form...

I started reading Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Goodreads

Expected Publication: April 2012.

"The maids in my village talked of falling in love with a man at first sight. That has always seemed naught but foolishness to me."

 -•-

She leans forward, as if eager to tempt me with what Mortain offers. "If you choose to stay, you will be trained in His art. You will learn more ways to kill a man than you imagined possible. We will train you in stealth and cunning and all manner of skills that will ensure no man is ever again a threat to you." 

I think of my father and of Guillo. I think of all those in the village who worked so hard to make my life a misery. The young buys who threw stones at me, the old men who spat and stared at me with terror in their eyes, as if they expected me to snatch the souls from their old, wrinkled bodies. The younger men who fumbled clumsily at my skirts in dark corners, guessing correctly that my father cared not for my safety or reputation. It would be no hardship at all to kill the likes of them. In truth, I feel like a cat who has been dropped from a great height only to land on her feet."

I am so grateful to Amelia at Imagination in Focus for sending me this book! It was definitely high on my wish list. It started good, very powerful in terms that it doesn't shy away from telling the ugliness of that time. Our main character is certainly broken, she has never really felt anything like love in her life from her family or otherwise. Her story is a sad one... Right now she is about to be trained in all manners of killing her enemies and I'm so excited to read about that!! Very good writing up till now.

PS; Remember to enter my giveaway for a copy of The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa.

New Layout for Bloody Bookaholic! Haleluya!

I've used the same layout for 3 years, that's right 3 years. And now it has changed!

New Banner...

New Navigation Bar...

New Colors...

New Blog Buttons...

<a href=" http://bloodybookaholic.blogspot.com " target="blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad246/TaschimaCullen/Blog%20Design/BloodyBookaholicButton25.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

<a href=" http://bloodybookaholic.blogspot.com " target="blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad246/TaschimaCullen/Blog%20Design/BloodyBookaholicButton.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

NEW EVERYTHING!

Do you guys approve? Do you like it? Now all I need is a new signature (done as of 3-11-12) and I'm done!

Blogger Question: What is Linky Followers?

And should I use it? I've seen it pop out on several blogs that I follow, and I've also seen others that have deserted the Google Friend Connect in favor of Linky, but I just don't know what it is exactly, why are people using this now, and what are the advantages. I think if I hear it from another blogger or one of my followers who likes the experience I could finally decide as to if I should add this following option to my blog or not. What do you guys think?

Review and Giveaway: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: Blood of Eden

Book #: 1

Pages: 512

Reading Level: YA

Book Rating: 

Goodreads Rating: 4.38

T.B.Published: April 24th, 2012


You will kill. The only question is when. 

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

Taschima's POV:

You are a monster. You will always be a monster-there is no turning back from it. But what type of monster you become is entirely up to you.

Julie Kagawa made me believe in Faeries. Now she will make us believe in Vampires all over again.

How can I possibly describe how hugely talented Julie Kagawa is? She managed to take something old, and mold it into something completely unique and completely her own. This book resembles nothing you have read before, and nothing you will ever read in the future. The mix of characters, vampires, emotion, survival, blood, necessity, desire... It's just wonderful guys, so freaking wonderful. Julie Kagawa has done it all over again.

Things you will like in this book: The main character Allison Sekemoto. She is a kick ass heroine. As a human AND as a vampire. What is so wonderful about her character is that the roles are reversed. When she is human you get that she is disconnected from the world, keeping people at arms length, trying to distance herself from hurt and disappointment. Her main purpose in life is to survive. But when she is a vampire, I dare say is when she is more human in the way we would think a human to be. She creates attachments, she fights hard and long for the people she loves, and she lets herself care about the people around her. Her life isn't just about survival, though there is definitely some of that instinct still there, is also about keeping people safe and giving them the best chance she can give them. I loved her. I could picture her in my mind so clearly, her and her weapon of choice (it's a pretty cool one, but I shall not spoil it for you). She is a girl from which anybody could learn a few tricks.

The thing about this book is that it is very character driven, even the secondary character leave a print. Some of my favourite characters: Kanin, the cool vampire mentor, Ezekiel, the boy who steals your heart (blonde... blue eyes... with the heart of gold), and Caleb, I found myself wanting to hear from him every other page, Caleb is this little adorable boy that you just want to hug and protect. Needless to say there is a lot of characters you will find yourself loving in The Immortal Rules, and some others that you will love to hate (oh Ruth, I am talking about you little *&^%$).

The one thing that did pop into my head as I read the book was The Walking Dead series. The Walking Dead is this incredibly awesome zombie series, the episodes last forever but they are so worth it. Anyways, in The Walking Dead there's this bunch of people who get together and start a journey to some far away place in order to get away from the zombies and find a safe heaven where they can be "free" and stop running. Well, The Immortal Rules is a lot like this in a way. But instead of running from zombies you run away from rabids (crazy ass sick vampires), vampires, and the occasional human who wants to peal your skin off and sell it to the highest bettor. BUT WITH BLOOD AND A KICK ASS HEROINE WITH A WEAPON WHO KNOWS HOW TO WIELD IT!

The book does have a lot of walking and surviving, but it's packed with action. Every other turn Allison would had to face a new threat and every single time I kept wondering to myself how would she get away from this one now? Romance? Some, but it is not the main focus of the story. Love triangles? None that I can see. Vampire Folklore? As I said before Julie Kagawa made a terrific job of covering all her bases and giving us all the information we needed without making us feel like toddler's being force fed big chunks of info. And this aren't the fancy sophisticated vampires that have sprung up from Twilight and things like that either. In The Immortal Rules vampires go back to their roots; they are ruthless killers who for the most part have abandoned their humanities long ago.

Only disappointment of this book? No Ash. I know, bummer. But Zeke (Ezekiel) is enough to keep any young lady on her toes... I am still team Ash though buahahahahaha...

She didn't disappoint guys!! She didn't!!! Get it as soon as it's out or give it a shot and enter my giveaway ;)

Rules of the Giveaway:

1. Follow Bloody Bookaholic =D
2. Leave an email in a comment so I can contact you.

Extra Points:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Friend me on Goodreads (+1), if you are already a friend you get the +1.
Follow on Tumblr (+1), if you already follow the Bloody Bookaholic Tumblr you get +1.

You must leave the nick names you use on the sites to verify. There are plenty of options to go around, and they are very easy to achieve so good luck guys!

Number of winners: 1

This contest will end April 24th, the official release date. I know, it's pretty far away, but it's my only option, and for a free copy of this bad boy... believe me, you want in on this! And it gives you guys plenty of time to enter. US only.

Good luck!

My Favorite Series Mini-Banners

Aren't these little things amazing? Love them? You can get them here along with more than 300 others. I put this list on my left sidebar with links to their Goodread pages.

I also wanted to let you guys know I am having a VERY good giveaway very soon... For a new book written by Julie Kagawa...