Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Synopsis
A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Beautifully written, and so terrifying I was on the edge of my seat. It's that opening that just grabs you. Serious shivers from it, but it's a perfect hook. As so many others have said, this isn't just science fiction. It's murder, romance, and self-discovery rolled all into one.

I had my hopes for this novel really high up. I can't say that I'm disappointed in it, because I am not at all. It just didn't go how I thought it would. Plus there were some lulls. But! To be honest I didn't care about any of that, just because this story was so intriguing, even in it's duller moments. This isn't a book for those with a squeamish stomach or the faint of heart. Though it is fiction and you know the characters aren't really hurtling through space, you can't help but take a look up the sky hoping to see Godspeed taking off.

Revis is an author that I will be keeping my eye on. Hopefully so many will like it that it'll be put in film production quickly! Her world in Across the Universe came to life easily, and it's not a world I will soon forget, though I will be reading it again and again!

I wish I could go on about this book, but I feel I'll blurt something out and ruin it for everyone, so I'll leave it here. One thing to say is just: GO READ IT ! NOW !

P.S. I'm a sucker for The Beatles. The lyric from Across the Universe (the song :) by this epic band had my heart throbbing before I even got to the first page.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Synopsis
Mikael Blomkvist, a once-respected financial journalist, watches his professional life rapidly crumble around him. Prospects appear bleak until an unexpected (and unsettling) offer to resurrect his name is extended by an old-school titan of Swedish industry. The catch - and there's always a catch - is that Blomkvist must first spend a year researching a mysterious disappearance that has remained unsolved for nearly four decades. With few other options, he accepts and enlists the help of investigator Lisbeth Salander, a misunderstood genius with a cache of authority issues. Little is as it seems in Larsson's novel, but there is at least one constant: you really don't want to mess with the girl with the dragon tattoo.


My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Originally I had wanted to read this of my own free will, then I was forced to read it, thanks to my English course. Worst. book. ever. Seriously, this may just not be my genre or something, but how can anyone give this book over three stars?

For one thing, the plot was just wayyy too long. A good 300 pages could have been ripped out and this book would have turned out fine. But, nope, it was dragged. Not to mention, that this novel went down several tangents that had no point to the central plot.

As far as characterization, it was decent. Lisbeth Salander is growing into an icon for women now. Her "can't fuck with me" attitude will soon be smudged on the face of women worldwide. Blomkvist was just boring. There was nothing special or quirky about him, except he oddly was able to sleep around with notable characters. Henrik, though, I loved! Just a sweet old man in a way screwed up family. Reminded me of my own grandfather. Anyway, Henrik is the only reason this book has a star.

If I wasn't forced to read this novel, I really would not have finished it. Terrible!

The Fallen: Volume 1 by Thomas E. Sniegoski

Synopsis

THE ULTIMATE QUEST FOR REDEMPTION

On his eighteenth birthday, Aaron begins to hear strange voices and is convinced he is going insane. But having moved from foster home to foster home, Aaron doesn't know whom he can trust. He wants to confide in the cute girl from class, but fears she'll confirm he's crazy.

Then a mysterious man begins following Aaron. He knows about Aaron's troubled past and his new powers. And he has a message for Aaron: As the son of a mortal and an angel, Aaron has been chosen to redeem the Fallen.

Aaron tries to dismiss the news and resists his supernatural abilities. But he must accept his newfound heritage — and quickly. For the dark powers are gaining strength, and are hell-bent on destroying him..

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The first thing I must say is that I LOVE Labs! So this book automatically had 2 stars for having a Lab in here as a main character. Poor Gabriel, I really felt for him the most out of any other. All I kept imagining was my Prince in this story. (Prince is my own black Lab :)

Aaron has a tough time during both books deciding whether he believed in all the wondrous happenings he was experiencing. Which is pretty irksome. Seriously you've lost everything, and now you won't even try to enjoy some amazing powers given to you. Whatever dude, any other normal guy would just go for it. As for Vilma, well she fell flat. I only started paying attention to her at the end of the second book. Highly convenient what's about to happen, I think, and not very happy with it.

The story line was a little slow. In the second book, I'm not really sure what the point of that entire book was... More like a filler book to elaborate on certain characters or something, but I didn't see a big difference or any development.

Have to say the funniest part is when Camael had french fries for the first time. How I imagined his expression is priceless no doubt.

The Devouring by Simon Holt

Synopsis

"When dark creeps in and eats the light,
Bury your fears on Sorry Night.
For in the winter's blackest hours,
Comes the feasting of the Vours,
No one can see it, the life they stole,
Your body's here but not your soul..."

THE VOURS: Evil, demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on Sorry Night, the darkest hours of the winter solstice.

When Reggie reads about the Vours in a mysterious old journal, she assumes they are just the musings of an anonymous lunatic. But when her little brother, Henry, begins to act strangely, it's clear that these creatures exist beyond a madwoman's imagination, and Reggie finds out what happens when fears come to life.

To save the people she loves, Reggie must learn to survive in a world of nightmares. Can she devour her own fears before they devour her?

The Devouring is an engrossing tale of terror that will have you wondering: what if your worst fears became your living nightmare?

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I felt when I first picked up this novel that there wouldn't be enough meat, as they call it, to fill me up. Sadly, I was right. It's a good story and the characters all in all aren't bad. However there just was not enough of this story so that I was really interested. It could have been so much better had the author pushed a little and expanded the story line.

Maybe it's because I'm not a horror fan, but I didn't like Reggie much. She seemed impossibly all over the place to me. First she didn't believe in the Vours, then she did, again she didn't. Then suddenly she's super Reggie who knows the answers to everything, just because she knows all the horror stories.

Not sure if I'll continue this series. Maybe if a friend buys them and I don't have any other alternatives... Who knows. I think I'll stick to the thicker books. I read so much it's hard to be totally absorbed when I know the story won't last long.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Synopsis
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


First of all I would like to thank Goodreads and HarperCollins for giving me the opportunity to read this novel. A BIG thank you, because this book is just soo... there's no words really. It's a totally engrossing novel. The story line, characters, the pacing, all of it was wonderful.

I fell in love with these characters, and wish I could meet them all. OK, maybe not all. Some are hardcore bad. Each are filled out beautifully, and all are distinct from one another. There's a lot of heart-wrenching moments, and you really feel it for these characters.

I'm totally engrossed in the world Miss Roth created. I guess if an apocalypse has to happen I hope it turns out like this. It's the only plan so far that "seems" to be working. (I say "seems" because of course in order to create an interesting story there's something not quite right with this society, as in all dystopians.) It definitely could work though.

Now there is a ton symbolic importance in this novel. I can not figure out the fireball on the cover though. I'm thinking it's supposed to be an all-in-one symbol of all the factions, but I'm doubtful.

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Synopsis
Bianca wants to escape.

She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him.

"I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you," he tells Bianca, "and eventually they would."

But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I would have loved to give this book more stars, but I'm a little mad at it. So this review will change probably once I read the other books. I'm mad though because through half the book you're thinking you know Bianca and that she's as clueless as you are and OMG! that's so not how this situation is going. There's dramatic irony and only the protagonist knows it, not even us as readers know! In hindsight, I'll come to respect Mrs. Gray for this ingeniously written development in the plot line. Seriously, it took my breathe away. There's a lot of room for this story to take off in a wide direction. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of this series.

The characters were very well written. A couple fell flat but a lot were fleshed out very nicely. I especially enjoyed Balthazar and Vic. Two very different characters but they were awesome nonetheless. I was hoping Vic would be initiated into the circle of friends who "knew" what was going on. But it wasn't meant to be.

The cover of this book reminds me of the original covers for Fingerprints (also known as Echoes). Hoping they come out with a better cover because I'm not a big fan of this one.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Synopsis

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.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Well there will be a Firelight 2, no doubt about that. I'm pretty excited for it though. Even if I find these draki and non-draki ladies to be quite selfish. I also don't understand the appeal Will has over Jacinda. Except the bringing her inner draki back to life. That's all the appeal I can find that Jacinda truly would enjoy, and honestly I feel that may be the extent of their relationship.

All Jacinda loves is that connection to her draki, just like her father. It is a huge part of her life and I'm so pissed her mother just wants that to die! How can you ask someone to kill a part of themselves. Stupid! Same goes for the sister, whoop-dee-do, you're being normal. Congrats, really. Jacinda should definitely be staying with Cassian. Talk about a honey, man he sounds gorgeous. Don't see what Jacinda's problem there is...

The only thing I can predict for sure is that a war is upon them. As to whom it will be between? Well that's fair game. Also that the pride has been lying to the younger generation about hunters and enkros. Though I'm pretty sure they're up to no good either. All in all a fantastic read with a twist on dragons. And must I say it but the cover is so enticing. I especially love the scales around her eyes. Kinda wish mine did that.

Check out:

While I'm still reviewing all these pesky novels, check out Evernight! I haven't read it myself but it is in my reading pile. Hope you enjoy!

I know I suck...

It's been awhile since there has been a review but... if you have not taken a look at my reading list, you may want to look. Yes! So many books! And to be honest I have already finished most of them. Only a few have not been read... So the reviews will be coming!

On a side note, Muzicons has rearranged their site so now you have to find your music elsewhere :/ Not happy about this. So I may have to find another awesome place to find my awesome music. Hopefully it will be as cute as Muzicons.

That's all for now. Please don't expect reviews every day. I'm human and I have a life. Not to mention I share my computer with two other people. We may be setting up time slots. lol.

Have a great day and pick up a book!