Review: Vampire Academy, by Richelle Mead

Series: Vampire Academy #1
St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Source: Amazon Kindle Store

     

I'm probably the last person on Earth to read this book, and after hearing tons of people raving about it, I was very excited to read, but unfortunately, it was not as good as I had expected.

Interesting plot: 1/2
Vampire Academy is a book I think I got a negative view of it because of how much I expected of it. The plot was interesting when it came to character development and the whole world behind the book. Everything about Moroi people and dhampirs and all of that is explained with detail and makes the reader interested in the world we're reading about. However, I think this book specifically had some ups and downs that made the story slow it times. Still, I wanna find out what happens in the next bok.

Characters: 2/2
I thought character development was actually pretty good in this book, I just didn't enjoy reading about some of the characters. To me, the best two characters were Rose and Dimitri. Not only did their personalities developed and change through the book, but their relationship as well. One character I didn't enjoy reading about, though, was Lissa, who I thought was very difficult on herself unnecessarily, but that might be just me. I really wanted the author to develop the villain character a lot more, since his villainy comes as a very big surprise, but a sort of uninformed surprise that just came as confusing.

Pace: 2/2
I think it's because everyone was gushing about that I thought it would start as a book I wouldn't be able to put down, but I think it started out really slow, and I made a note when I thought it picked up and it is when my Kindle said I was about 60% into the book. The rest of the book was really interesting and with a good plot but then it happened just SO fast. Some problems for the characters lasted for 1 or 2 pages. So I really want to read the next book in the series and see how the author balanced pace in the next one.

Writing style: 2/2
Richelle Mead has a great writing style, and specially how she uses the connection between Rose and Lissa, and she changes the speaker's voice as if she were feeling as Lissa is, which I find is difficult for various authors. Her words flow flawlessly, and she's a great writer when it comes to keeping the story easy to understand and make the reader want to keep reading.

Recommend it? 1/2
DEFINITELY YES.

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Review: Daughter of Smoke & Bone, by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1)by Laini TaylorAmazon | Goodreads | Book DepositoryAround the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. 
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grows dangerously low. 
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war. 
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Source: Amazon Kindle

Rating:  

   

Daughter of Smoke and Bone was a book that started out with a concept I had never come across before, and that I found rather fascinating. Laini Taylor's writing was captivating from the beginning, and that kept me hooked as I kept reading throughout the book. The war happening in the story, along with the great characters made this book very enjoyable for me.

Interesting plot: 1/2

I wish I could give this a 2/2, seriously. But the book was really amazing at the beginning, but halfway through the book, it got a little more intense, and very very detailed. Which is great, because it gives a lot of information on everything the reader does not know, but I think it was a little too much for me. The details made me read the book a lot slower, just so I could perfectly understand all that was happening, so I think it became duller than the first half of the book.

Characters: 1/2

I absolutely adored Karou. She was an amazing character, who was brave, and knew how to express everything she thinks. Her friendship with Zuzana was very real, and for once, I thought it was great to find a fantasy novel where the best friend knows everything, and the main character trusts in her the secrets of her world.

Although I loved both Zuzana, and Karou, I didn't enjoy the character of Akiva. I understood why he did everything he did, but his character seemed weak, compared to Karou, and although he was intense and determined, I didn't enjoy his presence. However, as the novel progressed, so did his strength, so that was great!

Pace: 1/2

I already went over this, and how I thought it became sort of slow at certain points, but the beginning was amazingly paced so I give this one 1 point.

Writing Style 2/2

I loved how Laini Taylor managed to create a really interesting plot that was transmitted beautifully through her writing style. Kept you hooked throughout the novel.

Recommend it?: 2/2

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Review: Insurgent, by Veronica Roth

Insurgent (Divergent #2)

by Veronica Roth

Genre: YA Dystopia

Source: Won on Twitter

Summary:

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

Wow. Just... there are absolutely no words for what I'm feeling. So okay, I'll be honest. I wasn't a big fan of Divergent, though I was very excited for Insurgent. It just didn't do it for me; it was a good book but not as good as I'd hoped it'd be. But Insurgent completely blew me away.

I was sort of hesitant at the beginning, because 1. I hadn't re-read it before Insurgent came out, so I was really confused on what was happening, and my mind kept confusing things with Matched by Ally Condie... My mind is mean when I'm trying to read. After about 3 chapters it all came back so it became clear again.

Then the story flowed easily, though it was really, really long and I had my SAT that week, so it took me a while to finish it. The story has a lot of things going on, and there are some things that happen really fast, and others that I wish Veronica Roth would've written a longer version of.

Tris is a character that I did not like very much in Divergent, and up to half of Insurgent, I wasn't so fond of her either. And I adored Four. Again, up until half of the book. Tris was very impulsive in her actions, which made me frustrated for her, and Four was someone who though things over. But then they changed and Four started treating her sort of bad, and Tris became so much more Dauntless in my mind than she was before. I understood why she did the things she did, and I wanted Four to support her decisions. Ultimately, I became a big fan of Tris. I liked the values represented in the book, and how characters are influenced deeply by these.

I won't ruin the ending for you guys, but OH MY GOSH. You will absolutely love it, and it answers so many questions, yet leaves so many more hanging. I can't wait for the third book to come out!

5 Stars for this one!

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Popular YA Books Coming out May 2012

This is our little post every month where we talk about the most popular books coming out this month, and a summary. May is really, really exciting! I always think May and October are the best months for books. So, without further ado...

Insurgent (Divergent #2)

by Veronica Roth

 

Summary: One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

 

Release date: May 1, 2012

 

So excited for this one! I won an e-book copy in a Twitter contest, so I got it today, and I'm currently reading it! I have to study for the SAT, but Insurgent is very distracting!

 

 

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5)

by Cassandra Clare

 

Summary: The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.
No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?
Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.
And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?
Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

 

Release date: May 8, 2012

 

Super excited for this one! I read The Mortal Instruments series at the end of 2011, so it wasn't a long wait for me, so I didn't suffer as much.... Can't wait to read this!

 

 

Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3)

by Kristin Cashore

 

Summary: Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.
Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart

 

Release date: May 1, 2012

 

A friend of mine lent me her ARC to read, and it was INCREDIBLE! Seriously. And I've heard LOTS of people saying they didn't like it, but it was an amazing novel for me. I don't think I've reviewed this one, but you can expect a review really, really soon!

 

 

 

Obsidian (Lux #1)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Summary: Starting over sucks.When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.And then he opened his mouth.Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me.You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don't kill him first, that is

Release date: May 15, 2012

 

 

Of Poseidon

by Anna Banks

 

Summary: Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . . 

Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance

 

Release date: May 22, 2012

 

 

Until I Die (Revenants #2)

by Amy Plum

 

Summary: Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

 

Release date: May 8, 2012

 

 

Destined (Wings #4)

by Aprilynne Pike

Summary: Tamani looked at her gravely, and reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear.

He hesitated for an instant, then his hands found the sides of her face, pulling her to him. He didn't kiss her, just held her face close to his, their foreheads resting together, their noses almost touching.

She hated how much it felt like good-bye.

Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful—and deadly—of all, and Klea plans to use her to help conquer and destroy Avalon. But Klea's reach extends far beyond one wild Winter faerie. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares to face what may be Avalon's final days, in the stunning conclusion to the Wings series.

Release date: May 1, 2012

Sweet Evil

by Wendy Higgins

Summary: 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?

Release date: May 1, 2012

 

 

Dreamless (Starcrossed #2)

by Josephine Angelini

 

Summary: As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos.

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more.

 

Release date: May 29, 2012

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