Book Review: Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Title: Not a Drop to Drink

Author: Mindy McGinnis
Series: Not a Drop to Drink #1

ISBN: 978-0062198518

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books 

Pub. Date: 2013

Source: Library

Genre: Young Adult / Dystopia / Romance

Pages: 309
Rating: 4 Kisses
Author's Website

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water.
Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.
Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.
But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….
With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.

My Reveries and Ramblings: First, I’d like to thank Epic Reads for introducing me to this book.
Secondly, wow….just wow. This book is gritty, realistic, tragic, horrible, bloody, depressing, heart-wrenching, and sad. I loved it!
      Hooked from the first sentence.
      The story follows the protagonist, 16-yr old Lynn. Who has only ever spoken to her mother. The only men she’s ever had contact with is her neighbor (very very very rarely and usually from afar) and the looters that she shoots. They are the ones who try and kill and steal from her and her mother. Lynn and her mother are constantly on guard against all outsiders and wolves. After Lynn loses her mother, she is left alone to defend their house and their pond - their means of survival. Sanitizing water, defending the property, and just basically surviving is a lot to handle for just one person, let alone a teenager. Finding an unlikely ally in her neighbor, Lynn is able to balance her workload and she begins to learn what it means to be human. Not a Drop to Drink is a fantastic example of character arc done right. Lynn changes so much. Every single thing that happens to her in this book affects her and her future self. She’s constantly changing and growing. By the end of the book, she’s very different to who she was in the beginning. Although, it didn’t come without a lot of pain and suffering. This book is heart-breaking. But so well done that I absolutely must recommend it!

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Book Review: Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

Title: Secrets of a Summer Night

Author: Lisa Kleypas
Series: Wallflowers #1

ISBN: 978-0060091293

Publisher: Avon

Pub. Date: 2004

Source: Kindle

Genre: Romance/ Historical Fiction

Pages: 384
Rating: 4 Kisses
Author's Website

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband. So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.  Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing--and persistent--admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition . . . but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.  Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon--and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses . . . and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

My Reveries and Ramblings: Secrets of a Summer Night is the first book in Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflowers series. It centers around Annabelle, the oldest member of a group of friends who have made it their mission to find suitable husbands after years of being wallflowers. Annabelle, who is very beautiful, has been unable to catch a husband since she’s poor and has no dowry. In a last ditch effort to save her widowed mother and brother from being completely destitute, she makes one last great effort to catch a husband (with the help of the other wallflowers). However, in trying to snag a titled husband, she slowly starts falling for Simon Hunt, an affluent yet rough-around-the-edges businessman.
      This review comes years after reading the series many many times. To be completely honest, I didn’t like Annabelle the first time I read her story. However, I grew to like her. She’s got so many admirable qualities. She’s brave and stubborn. Yeah, she is very materialistic, but her loved ones ALWAYS come first.
      Simon Hunt is a very hardy outspoken man. Most people find him to be a bit much. But he has such a big heart. Ah, Simon. Definitely one of my book boyfriends. (Pretty much all the guys in Lisa Kleypas books are on that list). I just loved the way that Simon was always happened to be around to help her. Even though she pretty much rejects his help for most of the book, at least he’s there. Cue sigh.
      Secrets of a Summer Night is a great quick read. You’ll be smiling, gushing, and sighing the entire time. Being a huge fan of Lisa Kleypas, I can always count on a great romance read. Seriously, I reread her books at least twice a year. She has a knack for putting just enough of all the elements: romance, action, drama, humor, etc. You want it, it’s got it! Even though it’s not a Regency-era novel, it does make you feel like you are in a Jane Austenesque world. The story is engrossing and very romantic. I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend not only Secrets of a Summer Night, but the entire Wallflower series.

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(pssst...It's $2.99 on kindle right now)

Playlist:

(Click Here if you want to listen to it on Grooveshark--if you don't have spotify)

Book Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Daughter

Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: The Iron Fey #2

ISBN: 978-0373210138

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pub. Date: 2010

Source: Library

Genre: Romance/Paranormal/ Young Adult/ Fantasy

Pages: 304
Rating: 4 Kisses
Author's Website


Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.  Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My Reveries and Ramblings: The Iron Daughter was a reread for me. I wanted to finish the series but couldn’t remember what happened after The Iron King (Book 1). If I’m being completely honest, I did not like this book the first time I read it. I remember it felt like a filler in the series. But after reading it again, I have to say that I really really liked it! It had all the elements I crave most in a book: romance, adventure, action, suspense, magic, death, fantasy, etc. 

      In The Iron Daughter, Meghan, Ash, and Puck end up searching for The Scepter, which has been stolen by the false Iron King.
      So, I am completely 100% all about Ash. I like Puck, but Ash! Tall, dark and handsome Ash. There’s just no competition. Meghan and Ash have to overcome so many obstacles. Aside from the fact that their love is forbidden, to keep them alive Ash has to convince the Winter court that he could care less whether she lives or dies. (OF COURSE Megan doesn’t realize this, even though he warned her -___-, and she takes it seriously!) I mean, it was hard reading those parts, but still, she needs to realize he was trying to protect them both. There’s also being chased by Iron Fey and Winter Fey who want them dead. Then there’s one part in the book where it gets really dramatic. Like tears-dramatic. Like remember that scene in Sailor Moon?
      It’s dramatic/sad/horrifying like that(click at your own risk. It’s spoilery): https://33.media.tumblr.com/fe6722801a04c1707e7cbf1618384ef1/tumblr_min6hnbo3o1s3p5vao5_250.gif

      At one point, Ash leaves to go on his own mini-adventure, leaving Meghan and Puck to fend for themselves. I felt bad for Puck. Unrequited love sucks. BUT I will give him props. He made sure he was a friend first. I want him to find love so bad. Maybe in book 4?
      Anyway, poor Meghan is spread pretty thin in this book. She barely has time to process one thing, when BAM another curveball that has her running or fighting for her life. By the end of the book, where there’s a few big climactic scenes, you truly feel for Meghan. It’s like ENOUGH!
      The books ends on a bittersweet note. I’ve read the 3rd book already (will be rereading though) so I know there’s more. But MAN, if this book just came out, I would’ve been like “WHAT?! That’s it?!” Basically I love this series. If you haven’t read The Iron King, then I highly HIGHLY recommend you do. Then go and read the rest of the series!

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Playlist:

(Click Here if you want to listen to it on Grooveshark--if you don't have spotify)

Book Review: Her Mad Hatter by Marie Hall

Title: Her Mad Hatter

Author: Marie Hall
Series: Kingdom #1

ASIN: B008IL48BK

Publisher: Marie Hall (Self-Published)

Pub. Date: 2013

Source: Kindle

Genre: Novella/ Fantasy/ Paranormal/Romance/Fairy Tales/ Retelling

Pages: 129
Rating: 3 Kisses
Author's Website

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Alice is all grown up. Running the Mad Hatter's Cupcakery and Tea Shoppe is a delicious job, until fate--and a fairy godmother with a weakness for bad boys--throws her a curveball. Now, Alice is the newest resident of Wonderland, where the Mad Hatter fuels her fantasies and thrills her body with his dark touch. The Mad Hatter may have a voice and a body made for sex, but he takes no lovers. Ever. But a determined fairy godmother has forced Alice into Wonderland--and his arms. Now, as desire and madness converge, the Hatter must decide if he will fight the fairy godmother's mating--or fight for Alice.

My Reveries and Ramblings: Her Mad Hatter was such a cute story. I love retellings of Alice in Wonderland! That and the fact that it was free on Amazon Kindle was why I picked it up. The story immediately sets itself up for a series in the first few chapters. (The other books are about the other "bad guy" characters from popular fairy tales/stories). Hatter is insane. He quotes Poe and rambles nonsense all the time. Although he has few brief moments of clairty. He reminds me of a spoiled child. I guess due to his insanity, he's all about instant gratification. Alice has always been obsessed with the Mad Hatter from the Alice in Wonderland book. They've met once before when she was a young girl. Alice never forgot. Hatter needs to find his Alice (his mate according to prophecy) however he's been sent so many Alices over time that he no longer trusts in love or if any Alice is the right Alice. If he doesn't find his true Alice, then Wonderland will die. Her Mad Hatter is a novella (the whole series is?), therefore, it's quite short. It wasn't until I was almost finished that II realized how short it was. I kind of felt cheated. I wanted more. There was so much potential for it to be huge and epic. It felt very rushed. There wasn’t much plot and the stakes weren’t high enough. Now to be fair, as a novella it was fantastic! I just wish it was a full length novel. (<<<Pretty much why it felt rushed and why there wasn't that much plot) Now onto what I really liked about this book. Hatter was adorable and so so hot! I really liked how Wonderland and the Hatter were connected. Wonderland was basically the Hatter. What happens to one, happens to the other. What The Hatter thought/felt would be manifested in the Wonderland world. Another thing I liked was how both Alice and the Hatter referenced/quoted a lot of profound people which was cool. The romance was also pretty hot! Seriously….HOT! Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I just wish there was more, more of everything. I just never wanted it to end! Her Mad Hatter is a super quick read that will leave you grasping for the rest of the series.

Side Notes: AHH! That cover! *Swoon*.....Also, THIS BOOK IS FREE ON AMAZON AND B&N....sooo no excuses ;)

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Playlist:

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Book Review: Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

Title: Of Beast and Beauty

Author: Stacey Jay

ISBN: 978-0385743204

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pub. Date: 2013

Source: Purchased

Genre: Romance/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction/ Fairy Tale/ Retelling

Pages: 400
Rating: 5 Kisses
Author's Website

Synopsis (from Goodreads): In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret...In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together, they could return balance to both their worlds. Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people, second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question everything she has been brought up to believe. As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty to her people and the beast she has come to love.

My Reveries and Ramblings:
     What a unique book!  I have never read anything like this.  It’s a fairy tale-science fiction-fantasy-myth-romance story.  Of Beast and Beauty starts out like a myth or an old legend.  The prologue is the history of this planet spoken by The Pure Heart (the good side of the planet).  The condensed version:  He explains to the readers what happened after the ships, filled with humans, arrived on his planet.  How he introduced magic to them and how they split themselves up into two groups: the Smooth-skins, people without magic and the Monstrous, people who started to mutate because of the magic.  The Smooth Skins locked themselves up in domes offering a sacrifice to The Dark Heart, the evil side of the planet, in return for an abundance of resources and safety.  So long as they kept giving a sacrifice, nothing bad would happen.  The Dark Heart placed roses in the city’s walls as a reminder of the deal.  Meanwhile, the Monstrous were banished to the desert and began to go hungry and cold.  After trying to convince the people to stop hating and killing, The Pure Heart used it’s magic to place a curse on all the people.  The Smooth Skins would be born either with some of the mutations of the Monstrous or they would be born with missing body parts.  The Monstrous could never shed tears.  The only way to undo this curse is: 

“If even one Smooth Skin and one Monstrous can learn to love the other more than anything else- more than safety or prejudice, more than privilege or revenge, more even than their own selves-then the curse that division has brought upon our world will be broken and the planet made whole.” -p.5

     Isra the current (blind) queen of Yuan, one of the remaining domed cities.  She is to be the next sacrifice as soon as their resources start to deplete. She lives each day knowing that she could be asked to die the next day.  Because her death is the city’s only way to survive, she is smothered by her protectors on a daily basis.  Isra wants nothing more than to feel the wind outside Yuan’s walls.  
     Gem is a Monstrous warrior.  He sneaks into Yuan to steal their magic roses to help save his people from suffering and dying.  He gets captured and is imprisoned.  Isra forces him to help her make a garden to help heal the people who were given monstrous traits at birth.  
      Gem is so large and masculine.  (I pictured a werewolf in human form….there are no werewolves in this story, though).  He wants to save his people, but instead is being forced to play gardener by Isra.  He hates her.  He hates her so much.  But he also pities her.  These two contrasting feelings frustrate him.  As he spends more and more time with Isra, however, he starts caring for her.  
      Now, onto why I really liked this book.  For starters, Ms. Jay created a heroine, who in every way should not have been one.  Here’s the thing, though, Isra knew that.  She had every card stacked against her.  Isra did what she believed was right.  She follows her gut instinct.  So what if she was blind.  So what if she was threatened with being locked in a tower.  Even blind, she figures out a way to help her people.  She’s stubborn. Even though her advisors treat her like a child and humor her, she does everything she can to help her people.  I admired her so much because of this.  She knew who she was and what her circumstances were.  She never let any of that get her down.  She was also very caring and wanted to prove that she can not only help her people, but lead them.
     Okay, so.... the romance….so perfect! Ms. Jay has Gem and Isra HATING each other in the beginning.  And that just sounds like a boy-and-girl-hate-each-other-then-fall-madly-in-love kinda YA book but it was different.  It wasn’t as superficial as one would think.  There so much at stake for both sides.  They have people they want to protect and help and no matter how much he/she likes the other person, they must hold true to their individual end-goals.  But after a while, Gem becomes protective over Isra, and becomes disgusted at how she’s treated by those around her.  Isra, in turn, wants to help him in his plight to save his people.  They grow to care for each other over a very long time.  The romance was really well developed.  Not cliched at all.  There is a love triangle.  It’s okay though! It’s VERY obvious which guy we want to win.   
     I hated the other guy, Bo.  UGH Bo! Bo and his father, Junjie, are conniving, manipulative, and just plain bad.  I wouldn’t go as far as saying Bo is evil.  But he’s definitely very very selfish.  Ugh, the last time I felt this way about the bad guy was with Prof. Umbridge *shivers*.   
     The final thing I loved about this book was the world-building.  It’s not an epic read, however Ms. Jay fleshed out a very detailed world.  The Smooth Skins and the Monstrous had their own ways of life, their own cultures and language, as well as physical appearances and characteristics, stories, etc.  Ms. Jay also gave the planet a voice.  Literally.  The spirit of the planet was the one who placed the curse over the people.  It was the one who wanted to make people stop hating and start loving.  I would love to dive back into this world.  I was very sad when I finished the book.  Of Beast and Beauty is a stand alone book.  So...no sequel :( 
     Of Beast and Beauty felt like a cross between Beauty and the Beast and the anime Romeo x Juliet (which if you haven’t seen, I HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND it...it’s a beautiful, EPIC, and very unique re-telling of the classic Shakespeare play).  Of Beast and Beauty had an EPIC ending!  Loved every minute of this book.  It had the perfect blend of sci-fi, romance, and fantasy with a dash of political intrigue.  I would highly recommend you read it this beautiful and one-of-a-kind re-telling...and then tell your friends to read it! 

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Playlist:

(Click Here if you want to listen to it on Grooveshark--if you don't have spotify)
Had so much fun making this playlist. A lot of these songs I actually listened to while reading the book and they fit perfectly with certain scenes. Like "Oblivion" played during the epic climax scene at the end. Hope you enjoy this playlist :)

Book Review: Whisper of Light by Jennifer DeLucy

Title: Whisper of Light

Author: Jennifer DeLucy

Series: Light #2

ISBN: 978-1936305414

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Pub. Date: 2010

Source: Purchased

Genre: Romance/ Fantasy/ Paranormal Romance

Pages: 272
Rating: 5 Kisses
Author's Website

Synopsis (from Goodreads): The saying goes that all men are created equal... but Nicole Abbot knows better. Lacking the supernatural gifts of the Sentients she has known all her life, Nicole has lived with her nose pressed to the glass, withering beneath the guilt of her own inadequacies and the disapproving glare of her father. It's easy to believe that the universe has forgotten all about her, but things are not always as they seem. With the arrival of Christian Wright, a handsome but complex Combatant with a troubled history, Nicole is forced to question everything she has ever believed about herself, proving that sometimes, our most flawed perceptions are those reflected in a mirror. Jennifer DeLucy again plunges us into the world of lingering spirits, dark apparitions, and malicious vampires. But this time she takes us to the California coast where we get to know a new ensemble of gifted souls that are just as vibrant and endearing as the Sentients we came to love in Seers of Light. In Whisper of Light, DeLucy delivers exciting supernatural encounters as well as very human interactions that will both break your heart and make it soar.


My Reveries and Ramblings:
I love this book.  I love this series. The. End.   Seriously, though, Ms. DeLucy has delivered an amazing book.  I’ve read this book probably 3 or 4 times now.  Every time it’s just as amazing as the first.  I even have the same reactions: OMG! AWWWWWWWWWWW! NONONO!
I actually skimmed through the book again before writing this review and had the urge to read the first book (Seers of Light) so I did (that was probably the 5th or so time I’ve read that one).  What I love about Whisper of Light as well as the whole series is that Ms. DeLucy fleshes out her characters so well.  I relate to her heroines and all the secondary characters remind me of people I know.  They all have talents, likes, dislikes, quirks, flaws, motivations and insecurities.  No one is completely evil or completely good.  Everyone is gray. Even Duncan.   Ugh. He was horrible.  You find out why he treats his daughter the way he does...but still...no excuse!  But that is a driving force in why Nicole is the way she is.  Just like with the first book, with Lily, I felt like I really related to Nicole.  Nicole was never weak.  She was always strong, just hidden and scared.  Scared to forgive herself. 
This causes her to sacrifice things in her life to hopefully gain approval from her father or to make up for her what happened to her mother.  Cue Christian.  Christian is hot, British, and kind.  On his own self-forgiving journey, he sees Nicole’s strength and challenges her to be brave and start thinking about herself (not in a self-absorbed way, just in a stop putting yourself last kind of way).  I will admit, I was skeptical about having Christian be the love interest in this book.  I found him so annoying in Seers of Light.  But I found I really really liked him! 
Part of the way through the book, we get to see William and Lily for a little bit.  (OMGOMGOMG) It’s very brief, but left me very happy.  What’s great about these few scenes is that we get to see their relationship through an outsider’s eyes.  Let me tell you, there’s so much love, it made me tear up.  (I swear I could be an empath :P) 
Finally, my favorite thing about this book and this series is Ms. DeLucy’s story and writing.   Jennifer DeLucy’s writing flows so well.  Her ability to write  non-cliched dialogue and story at the same time as making her characters speak like normal people makes her one of my favorite authors.  This book wasn’t that plot driven.  However the characters were so interesting and the dialogue was so real and at times funny that I barely noticed.  This book is more about relationships, what it means to be a family, and what it means to love (not only others but oneself).  I like the spiritual aspect of the books, as well.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not religious! These books have soul.  

I HIGHLY recommend this book and this series.  There’s tons of paranormal stuff, romance, drama, and even even some humor.  
(Hey, guess what?? This book is currently $2.99 on kindle and Nook!)

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Playlist:

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Book Trailer:

Book Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Title: The Host

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Series: The Host #1

ISBN: 978-0316218504

Publisher: Little Brown and Company

Pub. Date: 2008

Source: Purchased

Genre: Romance/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction/Paranormal Romance

Pages: 619
Rating: 4 Kisses

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.  As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love. Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.

My Reveries and Ramblings: 
• What I really loved about this book was how Stephenie Meyer dove into human nature and really explored it.  When one small mistake can mean life, death, or even worse, capture, people turn to their most fundamental survival instincts (eat, sleep, kill, run, etc.)  That’s the world that Wanda gets sucked into by Melanie.  Desperate times call for desperate measures.  

• Wanda was a really interesting character.  She was just as “human” as the real humans.  However, each side thought of the other as the monster. 

• Wanda has such an awesome outlook on life.  She saw so much beauty in Earth.  

• The Love Story:  There’s a love square going on.  It’s awesome and very complicated.  Love is very prominent in the book, but it’s every type of love: family, romantic, etc. 

• Stephenie Meyer was not afraid of killing characters, or having her characters experience real pain.  Which made this book so much better.  There was a threat to the happy ending which I so desperately wanted (both when watching the movie and reading the book).  

• Epic read!  It is definitely a long book, but not one scene was wasted.  Everything was put there for a reason.  Not much plot, but the characters were very strong (all character driven).  I felt like Wanda most of the time, torn between Ian and Jared.  One moment I was all TEAM IAN…and the next totally TEAM JARED. :P 

• Saw the movie first, because I was a bit skeptical about reading a book about aliens (which are slowly growing on me).  AND FELL IN LOVE WITH IT!!!! Ummm, Hello Ian <3 so I HAD to read the book afterwards.  


If you liked Twilight, you’ll enjoy this book.  If you didn’t like Twilight, I still recommend you try this book…It’s nothing like Stephenie Meyer’s previous series, The Twilight Saga.  Also, this is an adult science fiction book…not YA.  So pick it up and enjoy ☺ 

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Playlist:

(Click Here to see Stephenie Meyer's Official Playlist for The Host)

(Click here to listen on Spotify)

Film Trailer: (SUPER EPIC!)

Book Review: Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Title: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Author: Rae Carson

Series: Fire and Thorns #1

ISBN: 978-0062026507

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Pub. Date: August 2012

Source: Purchased

Genre: Romance/ Fantasy/ Historical Romance/Paranormal Romance/ YA

Pages: 448
Rating: 5 Kisses

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.
Elisa is the chosen one. But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will. Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.  Most of the chosen do.

My Reveries and Ramblings: Sooooo…..I REALLY REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK!  Before reading this, I went on a romance novel binge.  I probably read at least six romance novels.  (I was at the beach…don’t judge :P) After that, I was craving to read a book with a strong kick-ass heroine.  I was so tired of reading about damsel-in-distress-I’m-so-weak women.  So picked this from my goodreads TBR list….and read….and read….and didn’t stop.

Elisa, the protagonist, is a princess who carries the godstone, a gift from God to the people of Earth to defend them against dark magic.  Elisa’s possessing of the godstone has put her in constant danger since she was a little girl.  Of course, she never knew about the danger; her family kept her sheltered.  When her father marries her off to a King from a far away land, everything changes.  

Elisa is a fantastic character.  She starts off incredibly insecure, fat, and depressed.  She is fat because she eats when upset or stressed.  This is partly why she is very insecure.  She is, however, incredibly smart.  Over the course of the book, Elisa changes.  Some of these changes come at a great cost to her.  But she perseveres.  She starts out weak, and by the end of the book, she’s so much stronger.  What I liked most about Elisa was that she was so relatable.  She was nowhere near perfect, but was a character that many teenaged girls can look up to.  Hell, I’d like to be like her.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns is really hard to review without giving spoilers.  This book does have romance in it, although you’ll be in for lots of surprises.  Every time I started to predict what would happen next or how the book would end, Ms. Carson would go “Yeaaaah no” and throw in a huge twist.  The Girl of Fire and Thorns was nothing short of gripping and epic.  It did involve religion, but it didn’t feel overwhelming.  

If you like epic stories with a strong, relatable, kick-ass heroine than you will LOVE this awesome historical fantasy book! 

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Book Review: Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Title: Cold Kiss

Author: Amy Garvey

Series: Cold Kiss #1

ISBN: 006199622X

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pub. Date: September 2011

Source: Library

Genre: YA/Paranormal Romance

Pages: 304
Rating: 2 Kisses


Synopsis (from Goodreads): It was a beautiful, warm summer day, the day Danny died.
Suddenly Wren was alone and shattered. In a heartbroken fury, armed with dark incantations and a secret power, Wren decides that what she wants--what she must do--is to bring Danny back.          But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy Wren fell in love with. His touch is icy; his skin, smooth and stiff as marble; his chest, cruelly silent when Wren rests her head against it.
          Wren must keep Danny a secret, hiding him away, visiting him at night, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school, and Wren realizes that somehow, inexplicably, he can sense the powers that lie within her--and that he knows what she has done. And now Gabriel wants to help make things right.
          But Wren alone has to undo what she has wrought--even if it means breaking her heart all over again.

My Reveries and Ramblings: This book was okay. I was able to read it fairly quickly in one sitting. There was very little detail. It was pretty much plot driven. The characters were a bit flat to me. I wanted to know more about Wren’s power and why her mom wouldn’t talk about it, or why her dad left. I also wanted to know more about Gabriel. But instead most of the book was entirely devoted to how badly she messed up by bringing Danny back to life and how she loves and loved him so much. I just wish Ms. Garvey spent more time on fleshing out the characters. The plot is there, the characters, not so much. 
          Having said that though, I do think the story was good, albeit predictable. It felt more like a novella or short story. There just wasn’t enough...of everything. But i did enjoy it. I’m not the biggest fan of zombie books and there were quite a few moments where Danny creeped me out. But I loved the message in the book. The messages were of love, loss and grief. Wren has to come to terms with losing her first love prematurely. Most people have lost someone in their lives. So I can assume everyone can relate and sympathize with Wren’s battle: her desire to keep the one she loves and her need to let him go. 
          Overall, I thought the book was okay. I will probably read the sequel at some point. I really hope the author expands on the world and answers some questions left from the end of the last book.

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