Review: The Marked Son by Shea Berkley

Title: The Marked Son (Keepers of Life, #1)
Author: Shea Berkley
Pages: 334
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Release Date: August 2, 2011

Seventeen-year-old Dylan Kennedy always knew something was different about him, but until his mother abandoned him in the middle of Oregon with grandparents he's never met, he had no idea what.
When Dylan sees a girl in white in the woods behind his grandparents' farm, he knows he's seen her before...in his dreams. He's felt her fear. Heard her insistence that only he can save her world from an evil lord who uses magic and fear to feed his greed for power.

Unable to shake the unearthly pull to Kera, Dylan takes her hand. Either he's completely insane or he's about to have the adventure of his life, because where they're going is full of creatures he's only read about in horror stories. Worse, the human blood in his veins has Dylan marked for death...

My Thoughts: Whoa. That was awesome.

I didn't realize how much I would end up loving The Marked Son. Before I read this book, I read some reviews and opinions seemed kind of mixed. It's amazing how different people's reading experiences can be when reading the same book. I found The Marked Son to be such a thrilling read! I was captivated from the very beginning. I thought the main and supporting characters were very likable and had great relationships. I loved the writing, and the story was unique and filled with magic, romance, action, and some surprising twists that I never saw coming. The Marked Son just really did it for me!

For years Dylan Kennedy has had dreams about the same beautiful girl. He tries not to think much about it, but that all changes when he actually sees the girl in the woods where his grandparents live. Dylan decides he has to find her, and when he does, she opens his eyes to a whole other world, a magical one. One that may explain why his mother ended up abandoning him and why he has always felt ignored and forgotten by people. But that magical dimension is dangerous and after becoming marked for death, Dylan has to decide whether to stay in the human world and forget everything he just learned or fight to protect both worlds and the girl from his dreams.

The world the girl is from is called Teag, and it's filled with fantasy and mystical beings. Most of the people from Teag are firsts. They are Keepers of Life, and they have the ability to use magic to control nature. Some are more powerful than others. There was a time when they could cross the barrier to the human world, so there are even half-bloods, people with human and first blood, in Teag. Firsts can be very selfish, and when it comes to love, they can become obsessive and end up hurting people. As one of the characters stated: "Love is our curse." There are also creatures like the tiny pux, who are a type of sídhe that are a real nuisance and can be frightening when in a large group; and the ones created by magic like the bug-like millispits, who are extremely scary because their only purpose is to kill. I thought the world of Teag was completely fascinating, and I hope to learn more about it in the next book.

As for the characters, Dylan was so great. Even though he didn't have the best life growing up, he managed to become a person who is caring, determined, and passionate. I loved that the book was from his point-of-view because I enjoy reading from the male POV, and I think the author did a wonderful job on making his voice believable. I really loved his character. Kera, the girl from Dylan's dreams, was a great character as well. We got to know her through the parts that are from her perspective, and she was pretty kick-ass. I loved how protective she was of her people and Dylan. The only thing I wanted to know more about were the dreams Dylan and Kera shared throughout the years. We get a glimpse of the dreams in the beginning and the dreams were mentioned a little throughout the book. I really rooted for Dylan and Kera, and I believe they truly love each other. But it all started with the dreams. And I would have liked more insight about those dreams just so that I could get a better understanding of their connection. Either way, I loved their relationship, and I cannot wait to know more about both Kera and Dylan in the sequel.

There were other great characters in this book: Dylan's grandparents, Bodog, Leo, Jason, Pop, Lucinda (she made me laugh!). I even liked the bad guy Navar because he actually made me feel really nervous and worried for the other characters. Not many villains can get that reaction out of me. This guy didn't hold back. However, I have a feeling there might be others who are capable of more evil and damage than Navar, so it should quite interesting finding out what Dylan and the others are going to have to go through.

The Marked Son was a fast-paced and consuming novel. With the way it ended, I'm already excited to read the rest of the trilogy (the second book is The Fallen Prince and the third is The Bastard King) to come back to the world and the characters the author has created. I pretty much loved everything about it, and it's one of my favorite YA fantasy/paranormal novels this year! A really awesome debut!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday (26)

Now, I'm not lazy when it comes to a Melina Marchetta novel. ;D She is my favorite author ever. I cannot wait for this book!! It's the sequel to Finnikin of the Rock, which I loved so much.

Title: Froi of the Exiles (Lumatere Chronicles, #2)
Author: Melina Marchetta
Release Date: October 3, 2011
Page Count: 608
Publisher: Viking Australia

"Blood sings to blood, Froi . . .
Those born last will make the first . . .
For Charyn will be barren no more.

Three years after the curse on Lumatere was lifted, Froi has found his home Or so he believes.

Fiercely loyal to the Queen and Finnikin, Froi has been trained roughly and lovingly by the Guard sworn to protect the royal family, and has learned to control his quick temper. But when he is sent on a secretive mission to the kingdom of Charyn, nothing could have prepared him for what he finds. Here he encounters a damaged people who are not who they seem, and must unravel both the dark bonds of kinship and the mysteries of a half-mad Princess.

And in this barren and mysterious place, he will discover that there is a song sleeping in his blood, and though Froi would rather not, the time has come to listen.

Gripping and intense, complex and richly imagined, Froi of the Exiles is a dazzling sequel to Finnikin of the Rock, from the internationally best-selling and multi-award-winning author of Looking for Alibrandi, Saving Francesca, On the Jellicoe Road and The Piper's Son."

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Why do I fancy books?

I was bored before I started seriously reading again in 2009, after about 10 years of not reading much of anything except manga (and by then my obsession of anime was gradually fading). My only other hobby before reading was Postcrossing, which was great but there's only so much you can do with postcards and there's not much interaction other than the postcard you send and receive. It can be a pretty lonesome hobby if no one you know cares about postcards and everyone thinks you're weird for liking that hobby. :\

Now, that's not to say that my friends and family like books. Because the majority of them honestly don't care. (Sometimes I just feel like the odd one out! :P lol) But the online book community is MUCH BIGGER than the postcard community. I've met some pretty awesome people through GoodReads and other book blogs, and I've found out about some amazing books because of them. Books I probably never would have considered to read before. Like my favorite book of all time: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta.

I mean, WOW. That book... I didn't even know books could take you to a whole another level, until I read Jellicoe Road! O_O It changed my reading experience, my expectations, and made me see what I've always wanted (but didn't realize I wanted) out of books! It left me speechless. My mind was seriously blown. And because of that book I found my favorite author. I'm a hardcore fan. A major fangirl of Melina Marchetta! GO MELINA MARCHETTA! :D YOU'RE AWESOME AND AMAZING! ♥♥

So yeah, most of my family and friends still think I'm weird because I'm obsessed with books... But hey, at least I have a hobby I enjoy, right? Reading gets my mind going and keeps me inspired. Books can be life-altering and mind-blowing, and most importantly, books keep me from dying of boredom. That's why I fancy books.

Trailer: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Have you guys seen the book trailer for The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin? It's...WOW. I love everything about it! I even have the song featured in the trailer on repeat right now. It's definitely the best book trailer I've seen. Really impressive. It's like a commercial for an awesome TV show or movie! If I hadn't already read an ARC, I would be dying to read this book after watching this trailer. It's just that good.

who is mara dyer?

Man. It makes me want to re-read the book! The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer will be released September 27, published by Simon & Schuster. I highly recommend it, so be sure to buy it when it comes out. It's really good! *goes back to watching trailer*

Excerpt: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

An excerpt featuring what I'm sure is just one of the many hilarious exchanges we'll read between Daemon and Katy from Jennifer L. Armentrout's newest YA paranormal, Obsidian, which will be released December 6, 2011 by Entangled Publishing:

Eyes still on me, he tipped his desk forward even further. "Guess what?"

"What?"

"I checked out your blog."

Oh. Dear. Baby. Jesus. How did he find it? Wait. More importantly was the fact that he had found it. Was my blog now googleable? That was awesome sauce with an extra heaping of sauce. "Stalking me again, I see. Do I need to get a restraining order?"

"In your dreams, kitten." He smirked. "Oh wait, I'm already starring in those, aren't I?"

I rolled my eyes. "Nightmares, Daemon. Nightmares."

Go Katy! I know that if someone I didn't like or I didn't want knowing about my blog found out about my blog... I would just die of embarrassment! *hides* :P Anyway, it's so cool that Katy is a book blogger. She should totally do a 'My Book Boyfriend' post featuring Aiden from Half-Blood. Right?? ;D LOL

Pre-Order Obsidian:

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Feel As Though Everyone Has Read But Me

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It's a weekly meme featuring

book-related lists. This week's topic is ten books I feel as though everyone has read but me.

1. The Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine - I feel like all my GoodReads buddies have read this series. There are so many volumes...with tiny text! Eek! I really want to read them though because my GR friends always get excited for nekkid Shane.

2. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - I've heard so many GOOD things about this book. I really really want to read it and I can get it from the library, but I want to get through the books I own and haven't read first. I hope to read it before the end of the year.

3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - I've had a copy since last year. It's Aussie... I should have read it by now! But I'm just too intimidated.

4. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa - I have read the first book, but I still haven't gotten around to reading the rest. I can get them from the library, but I just have to find time for them.

5. Looking For Alaska by John Green - I've wanted to read this for awhile, but I ended up reading two other books by Green instead. I bought a copy a few months ago, and I think I'm going to wait until I'm in the right mood.

6. Delirium by Lauren Oliver - I kept seeing this book everywhere earlier this year. I'm a bit unsure because I was 'meh' about her debut, and I've seen mixed reviews on this one.

7. Across the Universe by Beth Revis - This was a book I couldn't wait to read! I don't know what happened, but I didn't get around to buying a copy. Now, I'm not sure I care enough to buy it. I'll probably get it from the library.

8. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White - This one sounds funny, and while I planned on checking it out from the library, I didn't know when I ever would. I won a copy of the second book recently, so now I'll definitely go the library sometime for this one.

9. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer - I felt like I saw this all over the place last year. It's too bad they changed the covers... The reason I haven't gotten around to it is because I have a feeling this will be a love-triangle I won't like.

10. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - When this came out, I really wanted to read it! I waited and waited for the library to get it, but they never did. Thankfully a friend sent me a copy...but I still haven't read it. The reviews I've read have scared me.

Giveaway: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

I'm in the mood to host a giveaway. I guess this giveaway could be the I'm So Close to Getting My Braces Off Giveaway! I feel like this is it. Before the end of the year, it has to happen. It's been a long time coming. And if it doesn't happen...well, I might have to cry myself to sleep until I do get them off. :P

I'm giving away a hardcover copy of Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson! This was one of my favorite books in 2010, and I'm very excited to read Matson's next book, which will be out May 2012, called Second Chance Summer. I hope whoever wins this giveaway enjoys Amy & Roger as much as I did. :)

Giveaway Info:

• Open to US residents. (If you have someone living here who can send it to you, that's fine.)
• You do NOT have to be a blog follower.
• Ends October 14 at 11:59 PM EST.
• Read my Giveaway Policy for more.
• To enter, fill out this form: CONTEST ENDED

I'll contact and announce the winner, who will be chosen by Random.org, after the giveaway is over. Good luck!

Waiting on Wednesday (25)

I haven't done a WoW post in a long time! I don't do them anymore because I'm lazy... But I decided to be not so lazy this time. :D Indelible is the sequel to Intrinsical, which I really really enjoyed! Can't wait to read it!

Title: Indelible (The Yara Silva Trilogy, #2)
Author: Lani Woodland
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Pendrell Publishing

Yara is beginning to understand just how much her life will change now that her Waker abilities have emerged. She has come to terms with the fact that seeing ghosts is part of her life, but she isn't ready to let being a Waker dictate her choices. All she wants is a ghost-free senior year with her boyfriend, Brent, and her best friend, Cherie. But Yara soon discovers that there are more dark secrets in her school's history than just the curse she broke. While an angry ghost makes Yara question everything she thought she knew about spirits, she and Brent learn that there are long reaching consequences to last year's adventures. As new enemies emerge and old ghosts resurface, Yara finds herself in the center of another deadly mystery, and this time she has to contend with the living as well as the dead.

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Cover Reveal: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Jennifer L. Armentrout, the author of Half-Blood, has announced a new book series! Half-Blood is one of my favorite paranormals this year (it will be released October 18, 2011). I've already decided I want to read more books by JLA , and I'm very excited for this one, especially since I heard that it's like the TV show Roswell! So here is the title, blurb, and more! :D

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: December 6, 2011

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Find it at: Amazon || GoodReads

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, outhouses, 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 marked me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and the mark he left on me has me lit up like Las Vegas strip to the bad guys. 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.

And then things got really bad…

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Mini-Reviews #2

The following mini-reviews are for books and ARCs I've read. I didn't write full reviews for these for different reasons, but I hope I managed to get my feelings across in each of these mini-reviews.

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert / Released: July 1, 2009
Man, it's just effed up. I cried like twice. I've had a copy of this book for almost a year now, and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. I've never done drugs and I don't drink; however, I'm surprised how I felt like I could relate to some of these characters in a way. And I think that there is something that everyone can relate to in these characters. Stephanie Kuehnert did such a great job on them and their stories. Ballads of Suburbia is filled with friendships, anger, sadness, love, heartbreak and self-destruction. And in the end, even though it isn't a happily ever after story, there's still a bit of hope. It's the most real and rawest story I've probably ever read. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins / Release: Sept. 29

Cricket. ♥ St. Clair. ♥ AHHH!! Stephanie Perkins owns. I loved Anna and the French Kiss, but I loved this one even more! It was so freaking good and perfect! One of my favorite books this year! Probably my favorite so far. Lola and Cricket were amazing, and the appearances from Anna and St. Clair were awesome. Just like with Anna, I couldn't stop laughing and fangirling, and I couldn't put this book down. I love when a book makes me smile and forces me to finish reading it in one day. (My expectations for Isla and the Happily Ever After are pretty high now!) I don't think I can write a proper review for Lola. It's one of those books I adored so much that I can't seem to find the right words to express how I feel. All I can say is... JUST READ THIS BOOK! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler / Release: Nov. 21

I'm really surprised at how much I loved this book! Looking at other reviews and ratings on here and LibraryThing made me a bit wary, but I'm so glad I gave this book a chance! The book alternated between the POVs of Emma and Josh, who have been best friends since they were little kids. I really liked them both! Emma was a caring and good person, but she did come off as a little selfish and seemed unsure of what she wanted at times. But I can't fault her for that because who wouldn't be after finding out about their future? As for Josh, he was such a sweet and nice guy. I just wanted to hug him! Both of them grew throughout the novel. While it probably won't be a mind-blowing, life-altering story for readers (who probably already have expectations because of the authors' other novels), I still enjoyed it very much. It was funny and cute and hard to put down! I pretty much had a grin on my face the whole time I was reading, and I was extremely pleased with the ending. It's a fast-paced novel about two people who ultimately have to figure out what they want in the future for themselves and from each other. A light and really fun read. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In My Mailbox #51

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren, inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

Won:
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead [Thanks to Penguin!]
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler [ARC thanks to LibraryThing & Penguin!]

Bought:
Hunting Lila (Lila, #1) by Sarah Alderson
Shadowfever (Fever, #5) by Karne Marie Moning

Gift:
The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by Kody Keplinger [Big THANKS to JoJo!]
Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid, #1) by Richelle Mead

This IMM is for the past 2 weeks. First off, I would like to thank JoJo for sending me The DUFF, Some Girls Are, and Succubus Blues! These books have been on my wishlist for awhile now and were not available at my local library, and she kindly offered to send them to me. I'm starting The DUFF today and can't wait to read the other two. Thank you so much, JoJo!! :)

I won The Future of Us from LibraryThing. I finished it yesterday, and I loved it! It was a light read and very cute and funny. My mini-review will be posted next week. I also won a finished copy of Bloodlines from Penguin and was so happy to see it because I LOVED that book! It also came in a shiny red bubble envelope! It was blazing. I bought Hunting Lila because I heard it was great & it was! My mini-review is here. And I also bought the paperback of Shadowfever because I needed a copy! Shadowfever is actually tied with 2 other books for my top favorite read of 2011 so far. There also is a deleted scene in the back... ;)

Well, that's it for this IMM! I'm back to reading. Have a great week. :)

If you're a fan of Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta, you need to read the excerpt from Froi of the Exiles, the sequel to Finnikin! Read the prologue here and the first chapter here! Froi is going to be epic, I tell ya. O.O

Review: Intrinsical by Lani Woodland

Title: Intrinsical (The Yara Silva Trilogy, #1)
Author: Lani Woodland
Pages: 304
Publisher: Pendrell Publishing
Release Date: August 20, 2010

Sixteen-year-old Yara Silva has always known that ghosts walk alongside the living. Her grandma, like the other females in her family, is a Waker, someone who can see and communicate with ghosts. Yara grew up watching her grandmother taunted and scorned for this unusual ability and doesn't want that to be her future. She has been dreading the day when she too would see ghosts, and is relieved that the usually dominant Waker gene seems to have skipped her, letting her live a normal teenage life. However, all that changes for Yara on her first day at her elite boarding school when she discovers the gene was only lying dormant. She witnesses a dark mist attack Brent, a handsome fellow student, and rushes to his rescue. Her act of heroism draws the mist's attention, and the dark spirit begins stalking her. Yara finds herself entrenched in a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening not only her life, but the lives of her closest friends as well. Yara soon realizes that the past she was trying to put behind her isn't going to go quietly.

My Thoughts: I didn't know what to expect from Intrinsical. I just knew I wanted to read it and hoped that I would like it. While the beginning didn't grab me right away, I clearly remember the moment I became completely hooked. It was during the last two-thirds of the novel. It was filled with many surprises, and it was exactly what I was hoping for and more, exceeding any expectations I had! If I had to describe Intrinsical in one word it would definitely be impressive.

I admit Yara, the main character, had to grow on me just a bit. She had a temper, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but combined that with the fact that she would keep secrets about her abilities.....well, it did get a bit frustrating at times. And then she would sometimes go into dangerous situations without thinking things through. But you know what? Sometimes risks are necessary. It may have seemed stupid at first, but in the end, it was smart and really brave. If she didn't follow her instinct, she never would have been able to get out the situation she and Brent were stuck in. I'm proud of her for making her own decisions, and I ended up really liking her feisty character.

The relationship between Yara and Brent was one of the things I really loved about this book. Right away it was easy to see that they were interested in each other. It seemed like a typical romance was about to bloom between them, and I thought it was only a matter of time before they were kissing and became a couple. But I was wrong! They became friends first. They didn't jump into a romantic relationship because all that mattered to them was helping each other stay alive. That's what they focused on, and I loved that. There were also times where they became irritated and frustrated with each other like normal people. I'm so glad for that because it made their relationship seem more natural and believable.

As I mentioned, I really enjoyed the last two-thirds of the novel. I thought the paranormal aspects were very unique, and it was filled with some pretty heart-pounding moments, which really surprised me! At first I didn't like that important information wasn't revealed right away, but I really came to like how it was all done. When I finished I just knew it wouldn't have been nearly as interesting and exciting if the author decided to not reveal only bits and pieces throughout the story. Another thing I really liked about the last two-thirds of the novel were the secondary characters like Yara's friend Cherie and Brent's friend Steve. I thought they were just going to continue to stay in the background, but nope! They became very important to the story, and they were just as great as Yara and Brent. I hope to see more of them in the sequel!

With a unique ghost story and one of the few I can think of off the top of my head that has a romance that develops gradually and naturally, I have to say that Intrinsical is definitely one of the better young-adult paranormals I've read. It didn't end in a cliffhanger (in fact, I was completely satisfied with the ending), but it still left me wanting more and feeling very impressed. I so look forward to Indelible, the next book in 'The Yara Silva' trilogy, to find out what happens next with Yara and Brent and their friends! Be sure to check out these books!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Top Ten Tuesday: Sequels I'm Dying To Read

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It's a weekly meme featuring

book-related lists. This week's topic is ten not-yet-released sequels we are dying to read.

1. Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta - AHHH! Of course this is #1! This is the sequel to Finnikin of the Rock. I loved Finnikin so much! I was extremely ecstatic when I found out there would be sequel. This book comes out in Australia on October 3, so thankfully the wait doesn't feel too long! I've read the first chapter extract already and...whoa. This is going to be freakin' EPIC! Melina Marchetta is a genius!

2. Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh - Varen! The first book Nevermore took me by surprise with it's unique, dark and haunting story! I need this book right now! I've already waited a year for it, and sadly, it looks like I'll have to wait another year for it's release.

3. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - Okay, so this is more of a companion than a sequel, but hey, I couldn't help it! I adored Anna and Lola, and I cannot wait to read about Isla! My expectations are very high, I admit, but I'm not worried because Stephanie Perkins is amazing!

4. Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Daimon and Half-Blood were completely awesome (and aren't the covers amazing?)! The characters, the story, the action, the romance were all so freakin' good! I'm dying to know what happens with Alex and Aiden. Armentrout is definitely an author to watch!

5. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead - I fell 100% in love with Adrian in Bloodlines, which shocked me since I honestly didn't care about him in Vampire Academy (don't hurt me!). I knew I would love Sydney, and she was as awesome as I expected. With the way the first book ended...man, I NEED to know what happens next!

6. Indelible by Lani Woodland - I adored the first book Intrinsical! Woodland did such a good job with Yara and Brent's relationship and the way she revealed all the important details. I'm super excited for this book, especially since I've heard it's even better, and curious to know what the ghost story will be about in this book.

7. Unwholly by Neal Shusterman - Unwind is probably my favorite dystopia ever (yes, it even beats The Hunger Games)! It's perfect as a stand-alone, but I was so excited when I found out Shusterman was working on a sequel. Not sure what it's about; however, I have a feeling it's going to be amazing!

8. Under the Light by Laura Whitcomb - This is like a sequel/companion, probably more of a companion, to A Certain Slant of Light, which I didn't realize I would LOVE until I actually read it. I'm so glad Whitcomb wrote this because I need to know what happens with Jenny and Billy!

9. Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson - Hunting Lila was a thrilling story, and I really really loved the romance! Girls falling in love with their brother's best friend has always intrigued me. Plus, it was action-packed, and I want to know how they'll overcome the bad guys!

10. Magic Under Stone by Jaclyn Dolamore - This is the sequel to Magic Under Glass, and while I don't remember everything that happened in that book, I still can't wait for this one! Because I do remember thinking that I need more Nimira and Erris.

Well, I think my list is pretty freakin' awesome. There are some others that would have made this list, but since those sequels don't have titles yet...I decided not to include them. ;)

Mini-Review: Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson
Released: August 4, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
Buy it: The Book Depository || FishpondWorld

17-year-old Lila has two secrets she's prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she's been in love with her brother's best friend, Alex, since forever. Or thereabouts.After a mugging on the streets of South London goes horribly wrong and exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust - her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them. Trying to uncover the truth of why her mother was killed, and the real remit of The Unit, Lila becomes a pawn in a dangerous game. Struggling to keep her secrets in a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone - there are others out there just like her - people with special powers -and her mother's killer is one of them...

I recently finished reading Hunting Lila and gave it 5 out of 5 stars! If you haven't read it, then you need to! :D

Reasons you should read Hunting Lila:

• It's way different than the usual paranormal! Your first indication should be the lovely cover, which doesn't feature the cliché moody-looking girl wearing a prom dress in the middle of the woods. ;) And how can you not be lured in by the cover? Those red heels are HOT!
• American characters speaking fancy British words like mum (for mom) and vest (for undershirt) and using what we Americans like to call military time. It's always good to brush up on your British! If you're a clueless American like me, of course. ;D
• Jack and Alex (do yourself a favor and click that link!). Normally I get turned off by male characters named Alex because well...I have a similar name and it's weird to me if I start swooning over a character that basically has the same name as me... But this Alex is the exception! hehe Anyway. *ahem* Jack and Alex, two very fine military men. Marines, to be exact. Damn. *fans self*
• And most importantly, you don't want to miss out on a fast-paced and action-packed story (there's guns and fast vehicles!) with awesome characters and a pretty sexy romance (NO love-triangle in sight! Heck yeah!). I totally believe this book would make a great movie or TV series. I heard film rights were already sold so it's well on it's way!

Since Hunting Lila is only available in the United Kingdom and Australia at the moment (what are you waiting for USA?), you can order it at The Book Depository or FishpondWorld, both of which provide FREE worldwide shipping! Very good deals, in my opinion. Really, you don't want to miss out on this book! I'm already eagerly anticipating the sequel Losing Lila, which will be published in August 2012. :)

Btw, Sarah Alderson is giving away an ARC of Fated, her newest paranormal that will be released January 2012! Find out how to enter by visiting the competition post on her blog HERE.

Review: Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart

Title: Blood Song (Lharmell, #1)
Author: Rhiannon Hart
Pages: 290 (ARC copy)
Publisher: Random House Australia
Release Date: September 1, 2011

I wanted to turn but I was held captive by the song on the wind. I’m coming, I told the voices. Please, wait for me.

When her sister becomes betrothed to a prince in a northern nation, Zeraphina’s only consolations are that her loyal animal companions are by her side – and that her burning hunger to travel north is finally being sated.

Already her black hair and pale eyes mark her out as different, but now Zeraphina must be even more careful to keep her secret safe. Craving blood is not considered normal behaviour for anyone, let alone a princess. So when the king’s advisor, Rodden, seems to know more about her condition than she does, Zeraphina is determined to find out more.

Zeraphina must be willing to sacrifice everything if she’s to uncover the truth – but what if the truth is beyond her worst nightmares?

My Thoughts: Blood Song first came to my attention after finding out it was written by an Australian author. (If you don't already know, I love to read Australian YA!) I became even more curious after reading some great reviews. Fantasy seems to be one of the genres that I tend to pay less attention to. I'm not sure why. I have read some young-adult fantasy that I really love and are some of my favorite books. I'm really glad I had the opportunity to read Blood Song because I'm finally able to add another YA fantasy and Aussie novel to my favorites!

For the past few years, sixteen-year-old Zeraphina has had a strange craving for blood. Although she has never tried any, there are times where she can't stop thinking about it. What's worse is that she has felt an urge, a pull to go North. She practices archery to keep herself distracted, but it's in the back of her mind all the time and every day these urges and cravings seem to slowly intensify, causing her immense pain. She finds relief when her older sister becomes engaged to a prince from Pergamia, a northern country of Brivora. By accompanying her sister to Pergamia, Zeraphina has a chance to figure out why she's drawn northwards and why she hungers for blood. But the answers she desperately wants and eventually finds end up making her life much more complicated than before.

As soon as I read the first chapter, I knew I was going to love Blood Song. Zeraphina and her sister Lilith and mother Renata were making me laugh with some of the things they said. I love when a book gets me to laugh! I didn't even know there would be a bit of humor, so it was a nice surprise. (Other readers might not find it quite as hilarious I did, but oh well, maybe it's just the kind of humor I like.) What I loved about it is that it showed how close they were as a family. It was so great to read about two sisters actually getting along. There was no rivalry between Zeraphina and Lilith, and while Renata is just a little overbearing, it's obvious she cares deeply for her daughters and only wants the best for them.

"I knew what you were the minute I saw you [...] and you seemed so fierece, so...human, that it gave me hope."

That is part of one of my favorite quotes in the book. I couldn't include the entire quote and the next line because it might be a bit spoiler-y. But I can say that is was Rodden Lothskorn speaking to Zeraphina. Rodden is the 22-year-old advisor of the Pergamian king. He's mysterious and intriguing but also arrogant and infuriating. From the moment Zeraphina meets him, they can't seem to get along. Zeraphina is clever and pretty sarcastic and she can hold her own, so her clashing with someone like Rodden wasn't surprising. Their bickering kept me laughing, and I loved it.

Zeraphina doesn't know if Rodden can be trusted and he seems to feel the same way about her. I can understand Zeraphina's frustration, since Rodden is part of the reason why her life gets even more complicated. He hints at having the answers she wants but avoids giving them to her...until she starts figuring him out. I'm very happy it didn't take the entire book to get some answers. There is still a bit of mystery from Rodden, though, because he never goes into detail about his past. I really look forward to knowing more about him in the next book, and hopefully there will be more moments between him and Zeraphina because their connection was something that I really loved about the book.

I recommend Blood Song to Kristin Cashore fans and fans of Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. And if you're not a huge fantasy fan, you should still give this book a read! It's hard not to get sucked into the story from the very beginning. There's enough suspense and action, and the world in Blood Song is beautiful but not overwhelming. Plus, who doesn't like awesome and kickass characters? Blood Song is the first book in a trilogy, and I'm already anxious and excited for the second book. So, if you get the chance, be sure to read it!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Huge thanks to Nomes @ inkcrush for sending out her ARC!

(FYI: Blood Song can be ordered at FishpondWorld with free shipping worldwide.)