XVI by Julia Karr

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 88/100 or B
Source: Publisher
Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.
I found the premise of XVI to be very interesting and unique. Nina was such an amazing character. I don't think that I could handle losing my mom with the grace that Nina had. Dee was a really sweet little girl. Pop and Dee helped bring comedy to the story, when it was needed. The relationship between Sal and Nina wasn't as developed as I would like, but I still enjoyed Nina's other friends. The plot of XVI was full of suspense and mystery that kept me wanting more. I think that the dystopian aspect of the book was clever and original in a few ways, like the tattoos and how the government ran. Karr created a fantastic book, full of great writing. I would recommend this book to fans of 1984 and Uglies.

Falling in Love with English Boys by Melissa Jensen

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 89/100 or B
Source: Publisher
Sixteen-year-old Catherine Vernon has been stranded in London for the summer—no friends, no ex-boyfriend Adam the Scum (good riddance!), and absolutely nothing to do but blog about her misery to her friends back home. Desperate for something—anything—to do in London while her (s)mother’s off researching boring historical things, Cat starts reading the 1815 diary of Katherine Percival her mom gives her—and finds the similarities between their lives to be oddly close. But where Katherine has the whirls of the society, the parties and the gossip over who is engaged to who, Cat’s only got some really excellent English chocolate. Then she meets William Percival—the uber-hot descendant of Katherine—and things start looking up...
I love anything that has to do with England, so I was so excited to hear about this book. I mean English boys are always full of win. The main character Cat was easy to relate to, except the whole not wanting to go to England craziness at the beginning, but I really enjoyed her sassy and witty narrative. Her love affair with chocolate was awesome and I have actually been buying the chocolate that she mentions in the book. I also liked that she met people from buying the chocolate at the new stand and that they had things in common. Will was amazing. I mean he is British and he was a really sweet and caring character. The relationship between Will and Cat was well developed and kept me interested. The flashbacks provided by Katherine's diary were really through and historically accurate. I also liked the experience of reading it as Cat was. Katherine was intelligent and overall awesome and I also cheered for a boy for Katherine too.

The plot captured my attention from the beginning and I just loved how cute it was. It was a really original story, because it brought two unique worlds together so simply. Jensen is a gifted writer and I am excited to see more from her in the future. I recommend this book to people that want a fun and cute read.

A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 16/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 88/100 or B
Source: Publisher
A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about a girl in Sudan in 2008 and a boy in Sudan in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is two hours’ walk from her home: she makes two trips to the pond every day. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the "lost boys" of Sudan, refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way.
This story is based on The Lost Boys that traveled from Sudan into Ethopia, and lastly into Kenya. The story is based on Salva's life and I found it so heartbreaking. The horrors that are experinced will break your heart. I also liked that you saw Nya's battle with finding water and also the lack of resources in Africa and the efforts to help people with. The main probelm that I found with this book was the length, and I felt like more could have been elaborated. Park created a stunning protrait of what happened in Sudanese and how there is still a constant struggle there. It was an educational, but interesting read.

Invisible Things by Jenny Davidson

Rating:
Characters: 19/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 19/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 91/100 or A
Source: Publisher
Sixteen-year-old Sophie knows there is more to the story of her parents' death. And she's on a mission to find the truth. To aid her in solving the decades-old mystery, Sophie has enlisted her best friend, Mikael, whose friendship has turned into something more. It's soon clear that Sophie's future is very much wrapped up in the details of her family's past, and the key lies with information only one man can provide: her parents' former employer, the elusive billionaire Alfred Nobel.
As the threat of war looms in Europe, dangers to Sophie and her loved ones grow. While her determination to solve the mystery doesn't waver, forces beyond her control conspire to keep her from her purpose. Then, news of her great-aunt Tabitha's death sets off a chain of events that leaves Sophie questioning everything.
The more Sophie learns, the more she realizes that nothing—and no one—in her life is what it seems. And coming to terms with the dark secrets she uncovers means imagining a truth that she never dreamed possible. Full of gorgeous settings, thrilling adventure, and romance, invisible things is a novel that dares to ask, what if?
I really enjoyed Davidson's previous book, The Explosionist. It was full of mystery and intrigue. Invisible Things started right where the last book ended. A lot that was a mystery in the first book is revealed, along with several other secrets. Sophie was just as clever and thoughtful in the first book. I love Mikael. He was lovely and I found him really interesting. I love the alternative history that Davidson creates. It is so rich and full of people that were actually in our world. I found parts of the plot to drag on and a bit was unrealistic. Even with that I found such a unique and stunning book that catches your attention from the beginning. I highly suggest that you should read this book, it will capture your attention and bring you to a new world.

Restoring Harmony by Joëlle Anthony

Rating:
Characters: 16/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 17/20
Writing: 17/20
Recommendation: 17/20
Overall: 84/100 or B
Source: Publisher
The year is 2041, and sixteen-year-old Molly McClure has lived a relatively quiet life on an isolated farming island in Canada, but when her family fears the worst may have happened to her grandparents in the US, Molly must brave the dangerous, chaotic world left after global economic collapse—one of massive oil shortages, rampant crime, and abandoned cities.
Molly is relieved to find her grandparents alive in their Portland suburb, but they’re financially ruined and practically starving. What should’ve been a quick trip turns into a full-fledged rescue mission. And when Molly witnesses something the local crime bosses wishes she hadn’t, Molly’s only way home may be to beat them at their own game. Luckily, there’s a handsome stranger who’s willing to help.
Restoring Harmony is a riveting, fast-paced dystopian tale complete with adventure and romance that readers will devour.
Molly tried to please everyone and was strangely happy in a dystopian world. I found that rather annoying. I don't feel that Molly would have acted that way with her upbringing, in some of the situations. Spill was awesome, I really liked his resourcefulness and how sweet he was. Her grandparent were lovely. This plot could have been so amazing. Parts were really exciting and interesting, but much of that wasn't explored more. I found the post-collapse world to be intriguing and did like what I learned about. I also enjoy organized crime and found the way that Anthony portrayed it to be stereotypical, but with a little twist. Anthony's writing was beautiful and I really enjoyed this debut. I think that you would enjoy this book, if you can't quite handle the sadness of most dystopian books, I would suggest this book.

The Replacements by Brenna Yovanoff

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 89/100 or B
Source: Publisher
Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.
Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

What I enjoyed most about The Replacements is the fact that Gentry is sort of both a scenery and a character. It is full of mystique and creepiness. It really worked for such a sleepy and small town. Mackie started the book and he understood that he was slowly dying and that really captured my attention, because I know that hopeless feeling. He slowly learns about what he really is and what he needs to do. I loved the devotion that Emma had to Mackie and found that sibling relationship to be so sweet. The plot of The Replacements was slow in a few places and a few things were too predictable, but overall I enjoyed the twist that Yovanoff brought to the story. The Replacements was unlike any thing that I can remember. Yovanoff made an amazing debut and I can't wait to read more from her. I recommend this book to fans of Holly Black or Melissa Marr.

Notes from the Blender by Brendan Halpin and Tricia Cook

Rating:

Characters: 17/20

Plot: 18/20

Originality: 17/20

Writing: 18/20

Recommendation: 18/20

Overall: 88/100 or B

Source: Publisher

Declan loves death metal--particularly from Finland. And video games--violent ones. And internet porn--any kind, really. He goes to school with Neilly Foster and spends most of his classroom time wondering what it might be like to know her, to talk to her, maybe even to graze against her sweater in the hallway. Neilly is an accomplished gymnast, naturally beautiful, and a constant presence at all the best parties (to which Declan is never invited). She's the queen of cool, the princess of poker face, and her rule is uncontested-- or it was until today, when she's dumped by her boyfriend, betrayed by her former BFF Lulu, and then informed she's getting a new brother--of the freaky fellow classmate variety. Declan's dad is marrying Neilly's mom. Soon. Which means they'll be moving in together.

This book was about how two people that are so different can become friends. Declan was such a shy and sweet person, under his different exterior. Neilly wasn't as she seemed either. She cared about her family a lot. I was glad that a romance between Neilly and Declan didn't develop. Their friendship was so amazing. The plot was full of humor. I found myself laughing so much. It was an original book that was focused on the merging of families, which is obviously happening more and more. Halpin and Cook were amazing writers that created separate character with their own motives and actions. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a funny and quick read.

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Plot: 18/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 89/100 or B
Source: Publisher
Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.
In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it.

This book was stunning. It is a book that I believe that everyone should read. Date rape is a subject that we are all aware of, but it seems to be overlooked a lot. Even though that it is one of the most common crimes on a college campus. Whitney doesn't make Alex's plight too preachy or ignored. It is perfectly balanced. Alex is easy to relate to and I loved her voice through out the book. I could feel the guilt and self hate that she was experiencing. Once in a while, she annoyed me a bit, but I still liked her. I had strong emotion about each of the character, some I wanted to hug and others I wanted to punch in the face . I found the plot to be very entertaining and I loved Themis Academy. The setting was easy to picture. I found it to be rather original. I haven't really seen anyone getting punished like in The Mockingbirds and I found it amazing. Whitney created such a strong and engaging book that I was happy to get lost. I recommend this book to fans on Speak. It has the similar message of speaking up for yourself and hoping for the best result. Overall, a very strong and stunning book.

A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 17/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 88/100 or B
Source: Publisher
For months, Cass Meyer has heard her best friend Julia, a wannabe Broadway composer, whispering about a top-secret project. Then Julia is killed in a sudden car accident, and while Cass is still reeling from her death, Julia’s boyfriend and her other drama friends make it their mission to bring to fruition the nearly-completed secret project: a musical about an orphaned ninja princess entitled Totally Sweet Ninja Death Squad.
Cass isn’t one of the drama people. She doesn’t feel at home with Julia’s drama friends, and she doesn’t see a place for her in the play. Things only get worse when she finds out that Heather Galloway, the girl who made her miserable all through middle school, has been cast as the ninja princess.
Cass can’t take a summer of swallowing her pride and painting sets, so she decides to follow her original plan for a cross-country road trip with Julia. Even if she has a touring bicycle instead of a driver’s license, and even if Julia’s ashes are coming along in Tupperware.
Totally Sweet Ninja Death Squad is a story about friendship. About love. About traveling a thousand miles just to find yourself. About making peace with the past, and making sense of it. And it’s a story about the bloodiest high school musical one quiet suburb has ever seen.
I actually put off reading this book, because I have heard a lot of mixed reviews on it. I actually enjoyed A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend a lot. Parts of Cass reminded me of myself. In high school, I was always on the fringe of several cliques in high school and never felt that I truly belonged in any of them. I understand how vicious middle schoolers can be and that helped me understand the tough shell that Cass had. The emotions that Cass had were so intense and realistic, I felt all of them. Heather seemed like a bitch at the beginning of this book, but she turned out to be likable and sweet at times. The other characters added humor to the story and kept me laughing. The plot was slow at the beginning, but it quickly became engaging. I liked that the story alternated back in forth and it showed the extreme growth that happened to Cass in such a short time. I found the theater aspect to be entertaining, but I love musicals and it could be boring to anyone that doesn't like it. There was also a lot of originality that was with in the book. I liked the one last legacy part that came from them preforming Totally Sweet Ninja Death. Horner made a fantastic debut. I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary young adult fiction.

Losing Faith by Denise Jaden

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 89/100 or B
Source: Publisher

A terrible secret. A terrible fate. When Brie's sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie's world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don't know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.

As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don't line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith's final night...a secret that puts her own life in danger.

Brie was a regular teen and I found her relationship between her sister and her to be common in teens. I also found the lost feeling that Brie had after her sister's death to be sincere and full of depth. I also loved Alis, who was adorable and I wanted to steal him. He is as social awkward as I can be from homeschooling. Tessa brought a lot of spunk and humor to this book. Reena was just over the top and she scared me for most of the book. The plot was rather slow and the mystery is unraveled slowly. I also liked how faith was a part of this book, but it wasn't preachy or over the top. I am a huge fan of cults, I know that this makes me sound weird. I am fascinated about the inner workings and what drives people to join a cult. I really hope to see more YA books with cults in it. Jaden is a lovely writer that bought something unusual to Young Adults. I would recommend this book to fans of young adult contemporary fiction that are looking for something new.

Knightley Academy by Violet Haberdasher

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Plot: 18/20
Originality: 17/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 17/20
Overall: 87/100 or B
Source: Bought
Henry Grim has never been in trouble for borrowing a sword from the headmaster's private stores. He has never discovered a forbidden room in a foreign castle, or received a death threat over breakfast.
All Henry knows is life as an orphaned servant boy at the Midsummer School, bullied by the privileged sons of aristocracy. But all that changes when Henry is the first commoner to pass the entrance exam for the prestigious Knightley Academy, where he will be trained as a modern-day knight alongside the cleverest and bravest fourteen-year-olds in the country.
Henry and his roommates, two other students from decidedly un-Knightley backgrounds, are not exactly greeted with open arms by their classmates. In fact, it soon becomes apparent that someone is going to great lengths to sabotage the trio's chances at becoming knights. But Henry soon learns that there is more at stake than his future at Knightley, and only he can sound the alarm. Is anyone going to believe a former servant on the brink of expulsion?
Brimming with wry humor, page-turning suspense, and surprising twists, this first adventure in a memorable new series is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.
This book was fairly entertaining. Henry is a likable character and is easy to relate to, since he from a poor background and feels like an underdog. Adam and Rohan bring some comedy into the book. The plot had points that were constant excitement, but it took me a while to get into the beginning of this book. I liked that this book was set in an alternative history and found myself excited about each new thing that I learned about this world. This book was rather unique, but some of it remind me of Harry Potter. Haberdasher's writing was very enchanting and I can't wait to return to this world for the next book.

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Plot: 16/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 19/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 88/100 or B
Source: Publisher
Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.
Sometimes life-ending.
Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

I really enjoyed Beautiful Creatures, and had huge expectation for Beautiful Darkness. There were a few things that I loved and a thing or two that I didn't. It picks right up where the last book ended. Lena and Ethan are still star crossed lovers that can't be together for obvious reasons. Lena is a Castor and Ethan isn't. I didn't feel that the characters developed as much as I would like. Lena seems to be come childlike and lost into a pit of darkness, because all that she can feel is the darkness. Ethan tries to assure her that it will passed. Instead a huge wedge is formed between them and their relationship seems to slowly crumble. This play a great part in the actions of Lena and Ethan. Link and Ridley returns and they bring in a comedic effect to the book and also both developed a lot. The Sisters, Amma, and Marian the Librarian return. Along with plenty of new characters, such as Liv, who is fantastic. There were a few characters that weren't developed as I hoped.
The plot of Beautiful Darkness was full of so much information. A few times, I felt a little overwhelmed with all the information that came at one time and also the pacing was all over the place. I felt that parts of it could have been shortened, because it was so slow at times. It felt like it could have been simplified. I did like how original it was. I love the Castor world and how unique it is. I honestly can't compare it to any book. Stohl and Garcia are stunning writers. It blends so well together. I am sure that you would love this book, if you liked Beautiful Creatures. I enjoyed it despite my complaints.

Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa M. Klein

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Plot: 18/20
Originality: 19/20
Writing: 17/20
Recommendation: 18/20
Overall: 89/100 or B
Source: Publisher
The greatest unsolved mystery of American history--what happened to all the colonists who landed on Roanoke Island in 1587? This novel traces the fortunes and misfortunes of one Cate Archer, banished to Virginia by a jealous Queen Elizabeth because of her dalliance with Sir Walter Ralegh. What will be her fate in this dangerous New World?
I have always been enchanted in the mystery of Roanoke Island and the missing colonist. Klein creates an enchanting portrait of what could happen through the eyes of Kate. Cate was such a strong character and that radiated in the narrative. The details of history in the plot didn't overshadow what was happening to Cate, but enriched the plot and made it and experience. This book was unlike anything in the historical fiction genre and I recommend it to people that don't usually read it. Klien's previous books were the reason that I wanted to read this. I am glad to find another book that enthralls and keeps me wanting more.

Love Drugged by Jame Klise

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 19/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 17/20
Overall: 88/100 or B
Source: Publisher
Fifteen-year old Jamie Bates has a fail-safe strategy for surviving high school: fit in. Keep a low profile. And, above all, protect his biggest secret—he’s gay. So when a classmate discovers the truth, a terrified Jamie decides it’s time to change. After accepting flirtatious advances from Celia, the richest and most beautiful girl in school, Jamie steals an experimental new drug that’s supposed to “cure” his attraction to guys. At first, Jamie thinks he’s finally on track to living a “normal” life. But at what cost? As the drug’s side effects worsen and his relationship with Celia heats up, Jamie begins to realize that lying and using could shatter the fragile world of deception that he’s created—and hurt the people closest to him.
A star-crossed romance with humor and heart, Love Drugged explores the consequences of a life constructed almost entirely of lies . . . especially the lies we tell ourselves.

Jamie was a very easy to relate to. He made me laugh a lot and showed the inner struggle that all teenagers have to fit in. The rest of the characters all had their quirks and continued to make me laugh. I wish that there had been more about a few of the characters or that they were in the book more. The plot was rather unique and I seriously can't compare it to any book that I have read. I found this book to be very funny, while having serious undertones about being an outcast while being a teen and unsure about who you are. Klise made a fantastic debut that I enjoyed immensely. I would recommend this book to anyone that has ever felt alone or like an outcast. Love Drugged is an authentic book that is sure to keep you thinking.

Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis

Rating:

Characters: 17/20

Plot: 17/20

Originality: 18/20

Writing: 17/20

Recommendation: 17/20

Overall: 86/100 or B

Source: Bought

I’d love a cup of coffee. I wish she knew how pretty she was. I wish I could drop this kid in the dryer sometimes. I just want her to be happy. I hope she didn’t find out what Ben said about her. I wish I knew how many calories were in a bite of muffin…

Joy is used to hearing Whispers. She’s used to walking down the street and instantly knowing people’s deepest, darkest desires. She uses this talent for good, to make people happy and give them what they want. But for her older sister, Jessica, the family gift is a curse, and she uses it to make people’s lives—especially Joy’s—miserable. Still, when Joy Hears a frightening whisper from Jessica's own mind, she knows she has to save her sister, even if it means deserting her friends, stealing a car and running away with a boy she barely knows—a boy who may have a dark secret of his own.

Joy was very positive, which balanced with Jessica's very negative point of view most of the time. I liked that part of the book. It made it more interesting, because most sisters are really different. I didn't like how the narrative was more focused on Joy's world collapsing and less on Jessica. I also adored Jamie, he seemed like such a minor character, but he turned out to be amazing. The plot of this book was rather engaging. I found the idea of hearing another person desires to be both astounding and almost a curse. I enjoyed that Kitandis put this ideal forth in her characters. I was surprised about most of the twist and turns in the book. I found that this book was full of originality. I loved that it was a paranormal book, that was still realistic. Kitandis created a stunning debut. I am excited for what will come from her next and hope that it as easy as to relate to and just as engaging. I think that you would enjoy Whisper, if you want a unique and interesting book.

The Haunted by Jessica Verday

Rating:
Characters: 16/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 17/20
Recommendation: 17/20
Overall: 85/100 or B
Source: Publisher
After a summer spent reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget the boy she fell in love with by the bridge where her best friend drowned - the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead - Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow, determined to leave the ghosts of her past behind. She throws herself into schoolwork, perfume-making and her friendship with Ben, her cute and funny lab partner, who just might be able to help her get over Caspian once and for all. But Abbey is never going to truly be able to move on from Caspian and Caspian has no choice but to return to her side: for Caspian is a Shade and Abbey is his destiny. The two are tied not only to each other, but also to the town of Sleepy Hollow and the famous legend that binds their fates - a legend whose true ending and dark truths they are only just beginning to guess...
I found that Abbey to have matured a lot, since where we left her in The Hollow. Her store ideas are more developed and she seems to know what she wants more. Her kind nature and sweetness was easy to relate to. You learn more about Caspain. You also figure out why Abbey can see him and that was rather interesting. Also, new characters are introduced, but their part in the story is unknown. I found the story to be interesting after page 200. A lot of the questions from the last book are answered and others created more mystery. The ending left me wanting more. I found The Haunted to be very original. Veraday created a new world that seems like it could be developed. The scenery in the story felt so realistic and interesting to read. Verday's writing style has developed a lot, since The Hollow. I found that there was more depth in this story and that it was more interesting. I am sure that you will like The Haunted, if you like The Hollow.

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

Rating:

Characters: 17/20

Plot: 18/20

Originality: 16/20

Writing: 18/20

Recommendation: 17/20

Overall: 86/100 or B

Source: Bought

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them.

Frannie's indecisiveness drove me crazy. It was like a ping pong match, but I will admit that it was very entertaining and exciting. I also liked the though that people were tagged for hell or heaven. I didn't feel really connect to Frannie's grief about her brother, because I have lost a sister and experienced it at around the same time. Luc was the bad boy that everyone loves and Gabe seemed so sweet. I adored both of them for different reasons. I loved that there was a switch of Luc and Frannie as narrators. I wish that Gabe's view was in there, because I didn't feel as connected to him. I found the plot of Personal Demons to be exciting and kept me at the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. It wasn't the most original book, but it had a few unique attributes that made the story seem new. Desrochers' writing was amazing and exciting, I felt immersed in the story every second. I would recommend this book to fans of paranormal romance.

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Plot: 18/20
Originality: 17/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 17/20
Overall: 87/100 or B
Source: Publishers
Avery Hood is reeling from the loss of her parents--and the fact that she can't remember what happened to them even though she was there.
She's struggling to adjust to life without them, and to living with her grandmother, when she meets Ben, who isn't like any guy she's ever met before.
It turns out there's a reason why, and Ben's secret may hold the key to Avery finding out what happened to her parents...
But what if that secret changes everything she knows about--and feels for--Ben?

I was really excited about Low Red Moon, because Ivy Devlin is the pseudonym for an author that has written a lot of contemporary novels. Anyway, I liked Avery. I could feel all of her grief over her parents and also her reluctance to leave her home. I also enjoyed that she was reunited with her grandma after such an absence from her. I think that the relationship between Ben and Avery was a bit rushed and seemed to be very superficial. Even with that, I still liked Ben and was interested in what he was. I really enjoyed the mystery that I found in Low Red Moon to be very engaging. Every single moment I was anticipating what would happen next. I read Low Red Moon in one day. Devlin's choppy and intense, which made me more engaged in it. This wasn't the most original book, but I still enjoyed this read. I found this book to be haunting mystery with a hint of romance. I also can't wait for more from Devlin in the future.

The Ivy by Lauren Kunze & Rina Onur

Rating:

Characters: 18/20

Plot: 19/20

Originality: 17/20

Writing: 18/20

Recommendation: 17/20

Overall: 89/100 or B

Source: Publisher

Freshman year at Harvard--glamorous parties, blossoming friendships, steamy romances, and scandalous secrets. Skip the campus tour and get right to the good stuff: classes are for scoping guys (and their Facebook profiles), not taking notes. The library is for study dates (the medieval history stacks get a lot of action), not studying. And success is a 4.0 GPA... plus getting into the most exclusive parties. How will Callie--a California girl with brains, beauty, and big dreams--and her three roommates survive? Get admitted to The Ivy, the first book in a provocative new series about the world of the Ivy League.

Callie is a pretty relatable character, because she wants to fit in at a place where a social structure has been established for years. I also like that she is excited for school and also very nervous. I love Mimi and her slacker attitude. Also the fact that she would randomly burst into speaking french. Vanessa's desire to please people annoyed the hell out of me and I wish that she would just disappear. I really like the secret society aspect of the Final Clubs that were such an important part of The Ivy. I also liked that the plot was fluffy and cute. It was also predictable like Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and Private series can be. I found that there was some originality with the fact that it was set in Harvard and not high school. That part brought more hijinks, parties, and other random fun to the book. Kunze and Onur make a great duo in The Ivy and create a unique voice for Callie. I think that this book is great for anyone that is looking for a cute, but fast read.

Meanicures by Catherine Clark

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Plot: 18/20
Originality: 16/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 17/20
Overall: 86/100 or B
Source: Publisher

When three best friends get together, the first thing they talk about these days is always the mean girls in their lives. They decide to banish their enemies by holding a ceremony and burning slips of paper with the mean girls' names on them. But soon afterwards, they discover themselves becoming mean, and they must find a way--with a little help from the owner of their local beauty shop--to reverse the ceremony and revert to the sweet (mostly), kind (if slightly imperfect) personalities. Catherine Clark's first middle-grade novel is a humorous look at the mysterious--and wonderful--nature of friendship

I found this book to be Middle School meets Mean Girl. Madison was just trying to have a balance between her new friends Olivia and Taylor and their teasing and rather mean old friends Cassidy and the other mean girls. I felt that Olivia and Taylor could have been developed more deeply. Also the mean girl's reasoning except for Cassidy's reason seemed realistic. I found the plot to be funny and cute. The cat fight and pranks were realistic to what tweens and young teens are facing today. I didn't find the book to be super original or authentic, but it did have there own clever twist in the plot. Clark is a great writer that creates such a cute book with an interesting plot. I recommend this book to fans of The Clique and the movie Mean Girls. I found it to be a very cute and fun read.