Tremor

Tremor (Pulse #2)

by Patrick Carman

4 stars

320 pages

Published Feb. 25, 2014 by Katherine Tegen Books

 
Luckily, this book - the 2nd in the Pulse Trilogy - is better than the first. It does not make you wait as long for the action like in the first book. Our heroine already has her powers, so we can get right to the juicy stuff.
The bad guys are stronger and badder, with a devious plan. The ending contained an awesome twist. Will be reading #3.

Pulse

Pulse (Pulse #1)

by Patrick Carman

3 stars

371 pages

Published Feb. 26, 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books

The first half of this book was very slow, but I was so intrigued with the premise and where the book could go, that I stuck it out. It finally picked up after slogging through the boring stuff - I'm glad I stuck with it. A promising new trilogy by one of my favorite authors, Patrick Carman.

The Girl with the Windup Heart

The Girl with the Windup Heart (Steampunk Chronicles #4)

by Kady Cross

4 stars

 

400 pages

Published May 27, 2014 by Harlequin TEEN

 

I love these books. This book follows the continuing stories of Finley, Griffin, Mila and Jack. Much like a soap opera jumps from one storyline to the next, this book follows that pattern. In one, Finley is trying to free Griffin from the evil clutches of Garibaldi; and in the other story, Mila is discovering the world.

Mild swearing and implied sex. Nothing to make you blush.

I hope there are more of these books in Kady Cross's head.

Empower

Empower (The Violet Eden Chapters #5)

by Jessica Shirvington

4 stars

496 pages

Published May 6, 2014 by Sourcebooks Fire (first published Nov. 12, 2013)

Finally, finally! I am done with this series. And fortunately, I didn't waste my time. The last book was quite possibly the best of the bunch. It was full of action and soul-searching and more action. The only thing that bugged me was how the the huge, pivotal change of heart that Violet had that changed the outcome of the book was handled. It was like the suffering that she had endured for the past two years was changed in two paragraphs. It was unsatisfying and abrupt.

Besides that, I enjoyed the book immensely. There was one sex scene (not graphic) and little to no swearing.

I can recommend to anyone looking for a not-too-many-books series, in which they've all been published. (Don't you hate having to wait for the next book in an on-going series??!)

Scarlet

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2)

by Marissa Meyer

4 stars

454 pages

Published Feb. 5, 2013 by Feiwel and Friends

Ever since I won the first book in this series, Cinder, in a giveaway and LOVED it, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Number 2, Scarlet. But my local library didn't have a ebook copy I could download, so imagine my happiness when I found a copy after months of waiting!

And I wasn't disappointed. This book was just as good as the first. Lots of action, new characters, a fantastic villain. Plus, no swearing and no sex makes it great, too.

I'm looking forward to reading Cress. I hope it lives up to the first two books.

The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney

The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney

by Suzanne Harper

3.5 stars

364 pages

Published July 1, 2007 by Harper Teen

 

This was a solid 3+ star book. I enjoyed it!

It's about a girl, who is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, who refuses to embrace her "destiny" as a medium who talks to dead people. But one ghost refuses to be denied.
I liked Sparrow. It's not often that a character is fully fleshed out in a teen fiction book. They are usually flat, flat, flat. Oh! I love Edward! or Oh! I'm so angst-y! or Oh! I have to fight to survive!

Sparrow actually had a range of emotions!

Code

Code (Virals #3)

by Kathy Reichs, Brendan Reichs

3.5 stars

408 pages

Published March 7, 2013 by Young Arrow

I am an avid "Bones" fan - I love that TV show! And if you are, too, this book is hand-picked for you. Especially if you like YA, adventure and murder mysteries. I wouldn't be surprised if this book made its way to the small screen - it's right in line with the premise and execution of the TV show.

The reason I docked it 1.5 stars, though, is that I was hoping for more use and development of the Virals' powers. That was touched on, yes, but the Gamemaster story overshadowed that aspect. I especially wanted some insight into the other 3 members of the pack and their individual development of their powers. Readers are still unsure exactly what they can do - just general information is provided.

Despite that, I am infinitely grateful for this series. I am guaranteed an entertaining and thrilling story without all the swearing and sex and gore of adult fiction. The mother/son team of Kathy and Brendan Reichs is definitely talented and engaging. They know how to write great YA fiction.

Keep 'em coming, please! I'll be waiting.

Glimpse (Zellie Wells #1) by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Glimpse (Zellie Wells #1)

by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

3 stars

262 pages

Published May 9, 2010 by Write Free (first published Apr. 20, 2010)

I got this ebook for free on Barnes and Noble for my Nook more than 2 years ago. I didn't have high hopes for it, but it surprised me. I actually enjoyed it! If you can overlook some flat characterization and uneven plotting, you will enjoy it, too.

Didn't like the adultery aspect, though. Or the mild swearing.

Bitterblue

Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3)

by Kristin Cashore

3 stars

563 pages

Published May 1, 2012 by Dial

The title of the book is perfect, because after I read the thing I was left feeling Bitter and Blue. Bitter, because I'm going to have to wait for the NEXT book to come out; and Blue, because this book is pretty dark, twisty and depressing. It's all about the effects that one person can have on so many other people. One person's choices can hurt many, many people - even after that person is gone.

I couldn't get this book out of my head for a few days - it really is that dark. I usually don't finish these types of books because I hate feeling depressed. The reason I stuck with it was because of the main character, Queen Bitterblue. She was a strong, good, decent person trying to rectify the wrongs of her evil father. She was trying to give hope to those who were deeply affected by her father's atrocities. So that glimmer of hope gave me the wherewithal to keep slogging through to the end.

Another great theme of this book is the importance of friendship. Bitterblue relies heavily on her friends and their loyalty. Surrounding yourself with good, decent people who are trying to do what's right will help you be and do better.

The reason for the three stars is that the story was convoluted and hard to follow. And some of the characters were pretty flat. I especially disliked how Bitterblue's love interest had such a reverse of feelings - it was love, hate, love. Bam, bam, bam. Very disorienting. AND the book was soo flippin' long! Edit, please!

Anyway, not bad, but not great. I'll read the next in line, but I may not go further if that one is anything like this one. I don't need any depression in my life.

Born of Illusion

Born of Illusion (Born of Illusion #1)

by Teri Brown

4 stars

373 pages

Published June 11, 2013 by Balzer & Bray

Thankfully, this can be read as is - I can almost consider it a stand-alone book. The writing was good enough that I was compelled to read the novel in two sittings.

I liked that the heroine was struggling between what she knew to be right and what she knew she needed to do to survive.

It was a bit predictable at the end. The bad guy was exactly who I thought it was going to be.

There is some mild swearing and some forays into the occult.

I am looking forward to read the next in the series.

Broken Stone

Broken Stone (Souls of the Stones, #3)

by Kelly Walker 

3.5 stars

 
Published by Kelly Walker and All Night Reads (first published May 31, 2013)

 I was a bit sad when this trilogy ended, which I read in its recently published Souls of the Stones Omnibus form. I was fully intrigued and invested in the lives of Emariya and Torian, along with their faithful and loyal friends.

Right from the start, I was launched into a plot filled with good pacing, quick action and political intrigue. The bad guys get what they deserve (although it would have been cool if those scenes were drawn out a little more); and the good guys prevail. A happy ending - my favorite.

I also appreciated the epilogue. I love epilogues and this one was especially good. It outlined where everyone was 15 years later. So, thank you Kelly Walker!

There is some mild swearing and very glossed-over married sex.

Thank you NetGalley.com and All Night Reads for allowing me to review this book.

Second Stone

Second Stone (Souls of the Stones #2)

by Kelly Walker
4 stars

337 pages

Published Feb. 15, 2013 by Kelly Walker and All Night Reads

This, the second book in the Souls of the Stones series (which I'm reading in the recently published Omnibus), was thankfully a step up from the first one. More action, more character development, better pacing. Stuff actually happens in this one. Yay for stuff!
I quite liked it. Whenever I had to put it down, I found myself itching to get back to it!

I can recommend to everyone! No swearing or sex, and the main characters respect and love each other - that can be rare in YA literature today.

Thank you NetGalley and All Night Reads for the opportunity to read this book!

Towering

Towering

by Alex Flinn

2 stars

293 pages 

Published May 14, 2013 by HarperTeen

I am pretty bummed I had to give this book so few stars. It had such potential - part love story, part paranormal mystery - but the execution was lacking.

"Towering" is touted as a modern re-write of the Rapunzel tale, but the only tie-in the book contains is that one of the protagonists has long hair, which she cuts to make a rope so she can escape her tower prison/safe-house. The rest is an anti-drug PA (which I'm all for: Drugs=Bad!), but it just didn't jive with the spirit of the original Rapunzel tale. That, paired with poor character development, uneven pacing, and too many unanswered questions at the abrupt and unsatisfying ending made this book an unfortunate and forgettable work.

I did dig the book cover, though.

Onyx

Onyx (Lux #2)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

3 stars

366 pages

Published Aug. 14, 2012 by Entangled Teen

I liked this book (probably would have given it 3.5 stars) despite the fact that the U.S. Department of Defense is portrayed as completely violent, unethical, immoral, corrupt and evil. Not sure I agree with that.
And unfortunately, there is quite a bit of language in it.
But it was fast-paced and thrilling. I do wish that the "love" angle was downplayed more and the "new and exciting abilities" angle played up. I mean, who the heck wouldn't want to move stuff with their mind? That's the cool part of the book - not the mushy junk.
I will be reading the third in the series.

If I Should Die

If I Should Die (Die for Me #3)

by Amy Plum 

3.5 stars

405 pages

Published May 7, 2013, by HarperTeen

A satisfying, if predictable, ending to a well-done trilogy.

Classic themes of redemption and good conquering evil encapsulated in good writing and a sweet love story. And some awesome mortal combat! What could be better?

The reason for the 3.5 stars is because the Champion could have been more Champion-y. Better, stronger, more powers, etc. But the champion, when it shows up, is just like any other revenant, except for some pumped-up "perception," which is cool, but just not enough. I wanted a super superhero!

There were some loose ends, too, that were not tied up at the end. Some characters were left with unresolved stuff.

Also, I dropped stars for teen sex. Teens have enough to worry about in this era. They don't need to be thinking sex is all OK, then getting pregnant.

Now I'll remove myself from my moral soapbox.

I am glad that I read this trilogy. It was satisfying and original and had all the elements of a good YA book. I can recommend!

Cursed

Cursed

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

2.5 stars

304 pages

Published Sept. 18, 2012, by Spencer Hill Press

Not too bad. It's the classic star-crossed lovers who can never be together for some reason or another. This time, it's The Touch of Death. Nice.
Totally transparent bad guy, though, which was a downer. I saw him coming a mile away.
It will be interesting to see why Olivia and Emmie are so sought after, so I'll definitely read the next in the series.
(Just discovered that this is a stand-alone book. Whaaat?? Way too many loose ends for me to consider it that. So I'm knocking it down a half star for lack of a satisfying ending.)
There is some language - and one f-bomb. That sucked.

Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences

Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences

by Brian Yansky

3.5 stars

240 pages

Published Oct. 12, 2010, by Candlewick Press

I needed a "palate cleanser" after a bunch of YA paranormal romance type stuff. And this quick "alien" book fit the bill.
After aliens come and take over the earth in 2 seconds, the humans - products are what they are called - who survived are taken as slaves in the new regime led by a little green dude called Lord Vert.
The survivors start accessing their latent psychic abilities and fighting back.
The premise is good, the writing is solid and characters are pretty well developed.
My only gripe is that I wish the story were longer. There were things that could have been explained further. And the ending ... quite abrupt. I hope there is a sequel, but I don't think there will be. I would totally read it!
A smattering of mild swearing. No sex. Little to no physical violence. It's all in their heads. Literally.
Great read for anyone - boys, girls, teens, adults.