Aug 5 2013

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2013)

This is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where many of us book bloggers gets together to geek out about our favorite books! This week’s topic is:

Top Ten Sequels I’m Eagerly Awaiting!

It was supposed to be top ten books I wish had sequels, but I thought it would be more fun to showcase the books we are actually going to get to read, rather than the nonexistent ones I wish had been written!

: August 27, 2013

: September 10, 2013

: October 22, 2013

: October 29, 2013

: Champion by Marie Lu

: November 19, 2013

: January 21, 2014

: January 2014

: February 4, 2014

: February 4, 2014

Shocker – all but one are teen books. I guess you can see which genre I’m more current in, lol. I actually haven’t read Cinder or Everneath, but all of your stellar reviews have convinced me that I’m going to love them. The sequel I am most excited for is The Fiery Heart, with Allegiant as a close second.

What books made your list? :-)

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 3 2013

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Book Review: Demon Glass by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Demon Glass

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Series: Hex Hall #2

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Overview: Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (a.k.a. witches, shape-shifters, and faeries). But then she discovered the family secret, and the fact that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world-the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will either destroy her powers for good-or kill her.

The Review:

There are times when you read a sequel that’s so different you wonder how it’s even part of the same series. That was definitely not the case here. Everything I loved about the first book continued on in Demon Glass and, if anything, got better! Even though the plot gets a little more serious, the book is still the ultimate “fun” read.

There is a new setting in this one, a colossal mansion in the countryside of England, and I felt Hawkins did an excellent job making it just as fun and interesting as Hex Hall. It could’ve been a risky choice, as the school was such an important element of book one. The second location had to be just as special for it to work, and I believe it did. The mansion was just as otherworldly and interesting as the school and it really gave the story a new life and direction.

I have to say my favorite part of this book (and, subsequently, the first one) was the love story. Usually when there is a love triangle I give full support to one of the “choices” right away and root for them for the rest of the series. This is the only series I can think of where I found both of the love interest to be equally appealing. Since I liked them both so much, it was even more fun to find out who she was going to pick.

Overall, this series shaping up to be one of my favorites. I love the characters, the humor, the plot, the… everything. They’re great, and I think others agree – I have yet to read a negative review.

Recommendations: I would recommend this to any teen book lover in the mood for something light and fun – it would make an excellent beach read! It’s also perfect for lovers of the paranormal who have already devoured the Vampire Academy books.

Other books you might like:

: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

: The Selection by Kiera Cass

: The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe

: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

: Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep

The Selection Review • The Sweetest Dark Review • Touch of Frost Review

by Niki Hawkes

Jun 26 2013

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Coming Soon: Revealed by Kristin and P.C. Cast

Title: Revealed

Authors: Kristin and P.C. Cast

Series: House of Night #11

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Release Date: October 15, 2013

The Overview: Drastically altered after her fall at the end of Hidden, Neferet is now more dangerous than ever—and her quest for vengeance will wreak havoc on humans, as well as Zoey and her friends. Chaos is loosed in Tulsa and the House of Night is blamed. Can Zoey stop Neferet in time to keep her anger from escalating to full-on war? Or will someone else have to step in to take the fall?

Nik’s Notes:

The release of Revealed will put me three books behind in this series. I really enjoyed the first four or so but they kind of lost me after book 6. I liked them enough to eventually finish the series but I’ve decided to wait until they are all released (I will probably plow through them over the weekend or during a vacation – they do make excellent beach reads). The bad news with that plan – I’ll have to wait another couple of years as there are currently 15 books planned for the series.

Is anybody else up to date? I’m curious to know if they got better after I stopped reading.

Jun 24 2013

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Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten Favorite Books Read So Far in 2013 (6/25/2013)

This is a feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish that allows bloggers the chance to geek out about their favorite books. This week’s topic:

Top Ten Favorite Books Read So Far in 2013

This was actually a hard one for me, as I can’t remember the last time I read so many 4.5+ star books in such a short timeframe. My strategy of giving up all the “obligations” and focusing solely on the books that excite me has really paid off!

(click on the covers for full reviews)

#1 Gameboard of the Gods – 5/5 stars

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

This was probably my favorite so far this year. Mead really outdid herself.

#2 The Selection – 4.5/5 stars

The Selection by Kiera Cass

This book tickled me.

#3 Black Magic Sanction – 5/5 stars

This one was my favorite Harrison book so far. It’s always nice when a series gets better and better as it goes along.

#4 Hex Hall – 5/5 stars

I am kicking myself for not reading this sooner – I loved it!

#5 Hounded – 4.5/5 stars

I consider this a must-read for any urban fantasy fan.

#6 The Bane – 4/5 stars

The Bane by Keary Taylor

This is dystopian, and I’m really excited to see where the story goes next. It’s perfect for fans of Divergent and Partials.

#7 The Ghost King – 5/5 stars

The Ghost King by R.A.Salvatore

Just when I think this author can’t possibly produce another great novel, he dazzles me.

#8 Indigo Spell – 5/5 stars

Ugh, I can’t wait for the next one. These are SO good!

#9 Frost Burned – 5/5 stars

One of the best urban fantasy series ever – this one was no exception.

#10 The Deepest Night – 5/5 stars

This novel was beautiful, breathtaking, and romantic.

Such good reading this year so far! What books made your list?

Jun 24 2013

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Book Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Hex Hall

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Series: Hex Hall #1

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Overview: Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It’s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie’s estranged father–an elusive European warlock–only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it’s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

The Review:

This is one of those books that I’m kicking myself for not reading sooner. One of my best go-to girls for books recommended it to me like three years ago when it first came out, but it wasn’t until I got an arc of Hawkins’ latest, School Spirits, that I finally got motivated enough to pick it up. Stupid. I loved it! It was fun without being cheesy, dark without being depressing, and all-around a delightful book.

Here’s another reason why I’m kicking myself: I love books that take place at schools. Give me a school for anything, basket-weaving, sword-fighting, dog-sledding – you name it. If it takes place at a school I want to read it. What I liked about this Academy in particular was how much of an impact it had on the story. Everything from the location of the school to how the students felt inside it transformed Hex Hall from a setting into a character. Hawkins used a lot of great imagery when describing it setting the mood for the entire book.

The overall “feel” for the book is probably my favorite part. While the school had a tremendous impact on that, it wouldn’t have been near as memorable without such a lovable protagonist. Not only is she fluent in sarcasm but she also maintains a quiet strength in the things that make her different from everybody else. And she was funny – I cracked up several times throughout the book. What’s more, I enjoyed all of the side characters just as much… particularly the love interest. ;)

Overall, this book delivered a memorable setting, great protagonist, a fun mystery, paranormal creatures, and a compelling love story. It blew my expectations away and has quickly become one of the best books I’ve read this year.

Recommendations: if Vampire Academy and Bloodlines are on your favorites list, you should definitely give this book try. It’s perfect for those who like paranormal and want a fun and memorable mystery/love story. If it’s already in your TBR pile, pick it up now – you wont be sorry!

Other books you might like: