The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Published: April 19th 2011 by Harlequin Teen


Synopsis:
It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

My Review:

I requested the Galley because after reading the synopsis I decided that this book was most definitely for me! I love Greek Mythology, something I recently discovered last year thanks to my English teacher (Everyone clap for Mrs. K.), who made us read The Odyssey and we had to do some further research about it. My point is, I love this myth in particular and I'm guessing a lot of people do too because while it isn't very romantic, who wants to be kidnapped and sent to the Underworld against his/her will?, it is very... different.
Kate's situation was really hard. Her mother was dying and she wasn't ready to give her up yet. It was the desire to keep her mother alive for as long as possible that drove her to agree to Henry's bargain. Henry is the god of the Underworld, who is also still in love with Persephone even though, according to Mrs. Carter's story, she never loved him. Dark and brooding, Henry is the perfect match. 

Anyhow, I loved Henry (Hades, get it? lol.) He was such a gentleman, taking things slowly, though a bit manipulative at times. But then again, who wouldn't be like that if they had such little time to find a replacement for Persephone or fade away and had to watch out for a murderer who killed the other contestants? 

The relarionship between Kate and Henry was very sweet and it developed with time, which was more than good enough for me. Kate accepted to try to be successful in the trails just so Henry would keep her mother alive but as she got to know him better and his reasons as to why he was so... lonely and sometimes cold, she fell in love with him and decided to give him a chance. If your going to be the goddess of the Underworld and reign with Hades might as well get the whole package, right? 

The writing was very good. The plot awesome. And the end magnificent! I did not see it coming. At all. I was very surprised. Everything was resolved and handed over in a silver plate at the end. 

Rating: 5.0

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A Season Of Eden by Jennifer Laurens

Title: A Season of Eden

Author: Jennifer Laurens

Published October 20th 2008 by Grove Creek Publishing

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Rating: 5.0

Synopsis:

He's my teacher. I shouldn't be alone with him. But I can't help that he's irresistible. I let the door silently close at my back. He stared at me, and a taut quiet stretched between us. "I like hearing you play," I said, moving toward him. He turned, in sync with my slow approach. He looked up at me but didn't say anything. I rested my clammy hand on the cold, slick body of the baby grand. "May I?" The muscles in his throat shifted, then he swallowed. "Eden." My knees weakened, like a soft tickling kiss had just been blown against the backs of them. "Is it okay?" I asked. His gaze held mine like two hands joined. He understood what I was really asking. "Let me stay," I said. "Please." "You're going to get me in trouble," he said.

My review

OK,so I am going to tell you the truth.......I haven't read in long time and when Gen insisted I read this book I was a bit hesitant.Now all I can say is that I'm glad she persisted. First of all, The apple in the cover is so ironic since wouldn't that be the correct thing you would offer a teacher? An apple to say that you appreciate them teaching you. Yet it is also the symbol of the forbidden fruit in Adam and Eve's sin. Hmm ,just think about that for a second. This book was heart pounding at times and sweet at others. But it was most definitely charged with sexual tension. You could feel the chemistry between Eden and Mr.Christian. I don't know how the others couldn't feel it sizzling in the air. I mean, come on, you got to admit that you have had a crush on at least one of your teachers before. 
Eden the protagonist in this book is a rich girl who has it all, friends and a boyfriend who seems to love her. But all that becomes childish when she meets her new choir teacher, Mr. Christian. The instant they meet sparks fly and from then on it's impossible for them to stay apart. Eden begins to like him more and more as time goes on and she gets to know him better. 
This book was so good because it kept you one the edge of your seat thinking, "When are they going to hook up?" and then "Oh man!." The whole book revolved around Mr. Christian and Eden as they struggled to have a relationship even though it's forbidden because she's his student. It was one of the sexiest books I've ever read without the sex part. That's exactly what keeps you reading the book. It's sweet and just perfect. 
Now, the music. Oh, the classical music. Who doesn't like a guy with good taste in music and magic hands? Uh? Ahem. Yeah. That's what I loved the most about Mr. Christian, his sweetness, good manners and passion for Music. He was the perfect man, yeah, a man and not a boy, which is the only thing Eden knows. 
So, what are you waiting for? Do you need more to go to the store and buy the book or something? Have I not given you enough reasons yet?
Love. Sexual tension. Sweetness. And amazing music! Not to mention a man worth putting make up on! Swoon. :D 

Book Trailer

This second video contains a lot of spoilers! I just posted it for those of you who would love to see it AFTER reading the book. 

Personally, I like both videos but there's something about the guy who plays Mr. Christian in the second video that I liked better than the first one. The second video has dialogue and lines from the book, you can watch it but it will probably give a lot away. Still, don't say I didn't warn you. 

My question is, which guy looks more like Mr. Christian to you? Which video do you prefer? 

Interview with Elana Johnson

Today we're here with Elena Johnson, the author of the upcoming book Possession. You can read my review on it here.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I love reality TV and watching movies with my family. I teach elementary school computers, and I write angry teen girl novels set in the future. I like all things with salted, cured meats, and I never get enough sleep. If I could, I’d sell my house and live in a different city every week. There’s nothing better than staying in a hotel and eating out. No dishes. No cooking.

Who is your favorite character from a book?

Professor Snape. That man is evil, right? He hates Harry Potter. He’s working with the Dark Lord. We all hate him, but in the end, he’s none of those things. Professor Dumbledore trusts him. Should we?

That kind of complex character is brilliant.

When did you come up with the idea for Possession and where did it come from?

I had just read my first dystopian novel, and I didn’t even know the term for the genre. But I knew I wanted to write a book like that. I also knew I needed a society, so I started thinking. I finally landed on a question that spurred the creation of my world: “What if people couldn’t make their own choices?”

Everything was downhill from there.

Was Possession the original name of the book?

No, the book was originally titled CONTROL ISSUES. My editor and I thought it sounded a little young and a little on the “punny” side. My book is neither young nor full of puns. So we changed it.

How did you come up with the characters? Or did they come to you first?

My characters always come to me first. Sometimes violently and loud. Sometimes slowly and in whispers. I just do my best to capture them while they’re inside my head.

Which one is your favorite character, Jag or Zenn?

I love them both for different reasons. I love Jag for his black-and-white attitude, his approach with handling Vi without care (sometimes), and his ability to say exactly what needs to be said when it needs to be said. He’s loud and brash and “bad.”

But Zenn is loveable too. He’s quieter. More gray. But he loves Vi just as much as Jag—probably more—and there’s something to be said for the softer, quieter guy.

So I love them both.

You classified your world into two:  Baddies and Goodies. What is the meaning of them?

And that’s the million-dollar question. I’m hoping readers will be able to determine that for themselves, so I respectfully take the 5^th here. *grins*

If you had Vi’s or Jag’s powers to control people what would you do with it?

Oh, I wouldn’t want it. I don’t want to have to decide, though it would be nice to be able to control people to drive faster on the freeway. Or at least move over so I can pass, you know?

How did you come up with all the tech and what is your favorite piece of tech?

The tech in POSSESSION just appeared on the page when I needed it. I didn’t set out to write technological gadgets into the book. It just happened. I think the first scene I wrote with tech was the tag. That was, and still is, one of my favorite scenes in the novel.

Why did you pair two people who could control each other together? Was it intentional or were you in the dark about Jag’s powers like Vi?

Jag has always been much more vibrant in my head. I knew all about him, because he won’t shut up. And he and Vi get along so well, because they’re so alike, yet so different. That’s sort of a match made in heaven for me, so it felt natural for them to be together.

Can you tell us a little bit about what the sequel will be about? Or if there will be one? (I'm hoping there will be one because of THE CLIFFHANGER!) 

Ah, that cliffhanger is actually called something else. I’m not sure I should say, or it will give away the ending. But POSSESSION was written with the intention of being a stand-alone novel. It just doesn’t fit the mold of what people think a stand-alone novel should be, but not every book is the first of a trilogy. And some books just end the way they do and the reader has to draw their own conclusions about what might have happened next. 

How did you come up with all the elements and problems in Possession? There are some pretty heavy stuff there.

I do not outline at all, so I discover the story as I’m writing. Whatever pours onto the page, pours onto the page. I have to decide which veins to keep, and which ones I can’t sew up at the end. So the problems and elements of POSSESSION came organically as I was writing, and I kept the ones that were A) the worst, and/or B) I could use to advance the plot toward the end I had in mind.

Who do you think is right, The Thinkers or the Baddies? Do you have a side?

I think they’re both right, depending on the issue at hand. Isn’t that how life is? We can see both sides to a situation, and we’re not sure which is best? I think it’s important to examine ourselves, really think about what we believe, and move forward in our lives from there. I think the society and government in POSSESSION reflects real life.

Thanks to Elana Johnson for giving me the chance to review her awesome book. You rock Elana Johnson. 

Georgina Kincaid Series by Richelle Mead

Title(s): Succubus Blues, Succubus On Top, Succubus Dreams, Succubus Heat, Succubus Shadows
Author: Richelle Mead
Release: 2007-2010 
Age Group: Adult 18+ 


Richelle Mead, what comes to mind at the mention of her name? Well... Amazing author! That's what comes to my mind. She's so good that she made me cry in her series Vampire Academy. I don't cry when reading books. Ever. Unless it's a really, really good emotional book. Yet, I cried. So when I heard that she also wrote Urban Fantasy for adults I had to give it a try. 
When I began reading this series I didn't know much about Succubi but by the end of the first book I considered myself an expert. I also did my research and at first I was like "Hmm, get sex and immortality. Hmm. What's wrong with that?" Well, after reading the first book was like "Oh, hell no! No Succubi! No way, no how!" Yeah, the plot line for Georgina was that messed up. 
Georgina Kincaid is a Succubus who must feed from the energy out of men when they have sex in order for them to stay alive, which takes years off of the poor pal they seduce.  They can shape shift into anything, usually a hot girl, to get men to notice them. She is pretty much a master at seducing men.
But. Yes, there's always a but there somewhere. Because Georgina happens to start to fall in love with Seth Mortensen, her favorite author. 
I'd never read about Succubi before but in my opinion this plot line was awesome. 
Georgina, basically, can't sleep with Seth. Actually, she can. But she refuses because she doesn't want to hurt Seth no matter what. 
But I'm getting ahead of myself right here. You need to know Georgina's background first to understand her and to know how she got to where she is right now.
Gergina grew up in the Mediterranean centuries ago as the daughter of a wealthy man. She fell in love when she was young (or not so young back then) and got married with the man she loved. Unfortunately, and just like in many other books, she made a mistake and it was heart ache that led her to make a deal with an Imp. She sold her soul to him and in exchange he made everyone she knew forget about her so no one would know about the mistake she made. However, she didn't realize the extent of this new mistake that would make her regret it for eternity.
Yup. Tragic. 
In the present Georgina works at a  bookstore, which is where she meets Seth. She lives a pretty decent life, save the seducing men and condemning their souls to hell, of course, and is well loved by her co-workers. No one knows that she's a demon because 1)she appears to be a beautiful woman, 2) she can shape shift into anything, which, once again, helps her get the men. Like many other supernatural in the fiction genre, (much like Vampires actually) she clings to her humanity and is not evil at all even though she works for hell. 
She has Vampire friends, also an Imp friend, besides her co-workers and is well-liked by all of them.  Then there is Jerome, the Archdemon that rules her and her other hellish friends. The funny thing is that he looks like John Cusack (he won't admit it but he's a great fan of the actor. Let's not forget Carter. He's  a 'fucking' angel as Georgina often describes him because he drives her crazy with how secretive he is and that she can never get a straight answer out of him. There's also her friend Bastien, who is an Incubi, the counterpart of Succubi. (You'll read more about him in the series. He only appears once.)
Now, when it comes to Seth, I can't resist him. He's such a great guy. He cares that she has to sleep with other men to stay alive and is understanding about! ???? I know, I couldn't believe it either. He's just awesome like that and his soul is pure. Throughout the series their problem is that she refuses to sleep with him and steal years of his life. She loves him that much! Their love is so... intense that you can't help it but want them to end up together. 
The thing about this series is that you won't get bored. Oh, no. There's just the right amount of romance and fantasy involved in the book. You will also enjoy the steamy, yet romantic adult scenes. They are very cool without making you feel like your reading porn or anything. That's how cool Mead is. 
So? Want to read it? I hope so. 
The sixth installment in the series is called Succubus Revealed and it will come out in August 2011.  

‘Hush, Hush’ Author Becca Fitzpatrick (And Fans) Help Shape Graphic Novel

‘Hush, Hush’ Author Becca Fitzpatrick (And Fans) Help Shape Graphic Novel

I've enjoyed reading about Nora and Patch and I'm glad that their books will be made into a Graphic Novel. I just can't wait to see the rest of the characters. Patch looks just... (swoon) hot. Isn't a little too hot in here, though? It must be Patch's pic. Yes. He's awesome.

Can't wait to read it (And see it).

Spread the word.

Awakened by P.C & Kristin Cast (Quick Review)

Awakened (House of Night, #8) by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Release Date: January 4th, 2011

Synopsis:

At the start of Awakened, the pulse-pounding eighth installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey has returned, mostly whole, from the Otherworld to her rightful place as High Priestess at the House of Night. Her friends are just glad to have her back, but after losing her human consort, Heath, will Zoey—or her relationship with her super- hot Warrior, Stark—ever be the same? Stevie Rae is drawn even closer to Rephaim, the Raven Mocker with whom she shares a mysterious and powerful Imprint, but he is a dangerous secret that isolates her from her school, her red fledglings, and even her best friends. When the dark threat of Neferet—who is coming closer and closer to achieving her twisted goal of immortality—and Kalona returns, what will it take to keep the House of Night from being lost forever, and what will one desperate girl do to keep her heart from being irreparably broken?

My Review:

It's been a while since it came out and I refused to read it because it had been a while since i read Burned. I had no idea this book would be as good as it was. I've followed The House of Night series for a while now and because there are so many books it felt like the author was just dragging the story longer that it should, I stopped reading. The book was good, yeah. But the story is just being dragged. 

I've seen many points in which they should have been able to deaf 'Darkness' and they haven't. While it is a good read, very entertaining, I doubt I'll keep reading the series. I just got tired of Zoey and her whiny friends. At first the series was really good, that's why it got so many fans, and had really good points. But then I began to realize that it wasn't nearly as good anymore. Because, c'mon, who says bullpoopie? Or has such accentuated accent like Stevie Rae? Seriously? 

Besides, it has no action whatsoever. None. At least not until the end. And isn't this series about Zoey and her so many boyfriends? Stevie Rae totally stole the romance from Zoey with Rephaim. Her romance was the only thing that kept me reading the book. I wanted to find out what happened. Other than that, I didn't enjoy it. 

Possession by Elana Johnson

Tittle: Possession

Author: Elana Johnson

Publication Date: 6/7/2011

Ages: 14 up 

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Synopsis:

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even thinkabout kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

My Review:

Ok, so the first thing I noticed about the book was the cover. It’s a great cover. I loved it so much that I just had to read it even though it was a dystopian novel. Because who isn't attracted to the line Control or be controlled? Uh? I wasn't able to resist. The blue butterfly is trapped in that ice cube that by the way looks fragmented or about to break and that's exactly the whole point. For the butterfly to be free. Awesome, right?

Anyways, I don’t usually read dystopian novels because… well, they don’t really appeal to me. Some do. Some don’t. But this was one was just awesome! (Control or be controlled!!!) 

At first Violet knows who she loves and wants to be with no matter what. Zenn has always been her best friend and now her match so she sneaks out at night to meet with him. She’s even kissed him, something that’s prohibited at the age of eight when touching someone else is wrong. Except that she gets caught by a hovercopter and is sent to jail where she meets Jag, a guy with wicked cool hair and also a Baddie. Violet is placed in a cell with him and as the days go by she starts to actually like and kind of trust the guy. But then she’s tagged (Some sort of tracking device inserted in her wrist) and has to get out of there with Jag before he’s tagged too. That’s when the adventure begins.

It was pretty fast-paced so it didn’t give me much time to put it down. At the end of each chapter I couldn’t wait to read the next. (I even got mad when I had to leave it for a moment). Violet and Jag go in a mission to escape the Thinkers and all that but she’s been tagged and any Mech (A robot) can sense her. But the whole time she was struggling with the fact that she was with a Baddie. Because she’s a Goodie, right?

Goodies and Baddies are somewhat not right. Or, perhaps they are just with a different meaning to us. Because the Baddies live in the Badlands and are rebels who resist to the Thinker’s mind games. They represent our society as of now and they can do pretty much anything they want without restrictions. They are free to do what they want. Because they are Baddies. They don’t follow rules or listen to the transmissions. They actually have a life and personality. Something that the Goodies lack with their brainwashed minds. In this case, or rather my opinion, it would be better to be a Baddie. I would much rather be myself than some sort of half-alive robot. That’s exactly what Jag thinks. 

Duty or Death? 

 Let’s talk about Violet (Vi) shall we? She’s such a strong and rebellious character that I just had to know more about her. Since the first page it is clear that she doesn’t follow rules at all. She knows it’s wrong and all but she just can’t follow them because she doesn’t believe in them. She hates Greenies, or Thinkers, because they control everyone’s every move and thought with the transmissions that the Goodies are supposed to listen every day for eight hours. Except that she’s stopped listening to them. I loved her! Mostly because in most of the Dystopian novels we have the protagonist be a goodie-two-shoes (Goodie, get it? Hehe.) and even though she changes throughout the novel she sometimes isn’t strong enough. That wasn’t a problem here. Violet was strong, alright.

Now, Zenn or Jag? Hmm. I was leaning towards one at first because I just felt for him. But then I realized I was wrong and liked the other one better. I know I need to make up my mind but hey, Violet needed to do that too so it’s not a problem.  What I found kind of funny is that Zenn’s name resembles the word Sin and in the book he’s a Goodie in the Force (kind of like a cop). Maybe it’s just me but it seemed to me that way.

Jag. Oh, my sweet, sweet and wicked-haired Jag. (Everyone in the badlands seems to have wicked hair, you know.) At first I thought he was a jerk, then I realized he was awesome. Mrs. Johnson did a great job writing so the reader was feeling and seeing exactly what Violet was going through, which is why I so loved the book.

I don’t know why but Zenn kind of reminded me of a character from another book I read: Dimitri Belikov. (Swoon). Oh, yeah. He was serious and loving and… (swoon). He loved Violet a lot. Let’s just say that because I don’t want to give anything away. He’s her match and has always been there for her. God, I love and hate love triangles because I can never make up my mind! But don’t we all?

The plotline was very good, too. Everything came to place and made sense at the end. Mrs. Johnson made a very good job at making everything have a reason why and click into place.

But. Yeah, there had to be a but. I had a problem with the fact that when it switched point of view it didn’t say who. You figure it out quickly but I was sometimes a bit confused. It also changed scenery pretty fast and it left me confused as to how she got there.

But there was wicked tech. Stuff that would help a lot now days like the Tech-cube that produced food, some sort of teletransportation and other cool stuff.

In conclusion, Good is bad and Bad is good. Or at least being a Baddie gives you freedom. Though Baddies are us right now... hmm, look at where we are. You have to read the book to know what I'm talking about and it'll make you think about a lot of things.

Just remember, this captivating book will keep you awake at night, dying to know what will happen next and thinking about Thinkers.

Favorite line: 

“I love you, Vi. Don’t forget about me.” & “Remember me, Vi. I’m on your side.”

Rating: 4.5

SHORTIE SAYS...: Wither Giveaway!

SHORTIE SAYS...: Wither Giveaway!

I want to read this book soo bad!!! Please enter the contest.

Follow Me Friday

Parajunkee is the hostess to this awesome opportunity for new Bloggers (like me) to promote their blogs and get more followers. Isn't it awesome? I find it awesome. You also get to find new blogs that interest you. Personally, I'm having lots of fun.

Magnet4Books' Reviews: 100 follower giveaway! :)

Magnet4Books' Reviews: 100 follower giveaway! :)

Awesome giveaway! I just began following her and became her 200th follower! lol, seems silly but for some reason I find it ironic that she's celebrating her 100th follower and I became her 200th. Call me ridiculous if you want.

Entered the contest and hope to win! (Fingers crossed)

Vampire Stalker Book Trailer

The Vampire Stalker
Scholastic Point
June 1, 2011

What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world—and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.

This book sounds so good! I really want to read it because it sounds very good.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Tittle:Firelight
Author: Sophie Jordan
Series: Firelight #1

Available now at:

Amazon.com
BN.com
Borders
indiebound.org

HarperTeen interview with Sophie Jordan

HarperTeen podcast with Sophie Jordan 

Synopsis:

A HIDDEN TRUTH

MORTAL ENEMIES

DOOMED LOVE

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet of her kind, she nearly pays with her life, only to be spared by a beautiful stranger sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki--a descendant of dragons whose ability to shift into human form is her best defense.

Forced to flee into the mortal world, Jacinda struggles to adapt. The one bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irrestibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away - if it dies she will be left a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and irresistible passion ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide ...

Review:

I loved the book! It was just so intense and full of passion. While Will and Jacinda met in a cave where she was hiding from hunters, I just knew that it would be intense. I mean, since that first time they saw each other and Jacinda mentioned 'the pull' she felt towards him it was obvious where that relationship was going. Not only because he's a hunter and she they prey, but also because she's supposed to be Cassian's mate. That changes when she flees with her mother and twin sister into the human world and goes to school like a human.
I understood her anger with her mother because I would probably be mad too if MY OWN mom wanted to kill a part of me. It was very frustrating seeing how she and her mom fought over that because clearly Jacinda was right. Her Draki is a part of her.
The characters are very well-developed and the plot line was ok. Will fell in love with her pretty quickly and at the end is revealed why, or at least a theory. He's very protective and loving. But sometimes she gave me the impression that she was just using him because she didn't want her Draki to whither away, though later she said she couldn't be away from her and that she loved him. It was all so intense!
I only found one tiny, little flaw: The climax of the story wasn't nearly as explosive as I thought it would be.  Don't get me wrong, I loved the book and saw it coming, but the climax of the story wasn't quite what I expected. I thought something huge would happen! Heck, I hoped it. But I was a bit disappointed. It was an amazing cliff hanger, though and so I hope to be able to read the second book. 


Author's website
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Book Trailer:

Rating: 4.0

Updating My Reading List

My GoodReads list says what I’m currently reading, or about to read, but right now I’ll tell you all about it.

I finished reading Nightshade by Michelle Rowen

I’m currently reading Firelight by Sophie Jordan

I will read next Awakened by P.C Cast

Tell me what you think.

Nightshade by Michelle Rowen

Author: Michelle Rowen
Series: Nightshade (Book 1)
Publication Date: February 1, 2011

You can get the book here.

Synopsis:

Jillian Conrad never believed in vampires-until she was unwillingly injected with a serum that was supposed to act as a deadly poison to them. Now, tormented half-vampire Declan Reese wants her blood to destroy the undead kingdom. Unfortunately, the serum has also made her blood irresistible to all vampires-including Declan, whose desire for Jillian is more than mere hunger.

Review: 

Jill most definitely had the worst lunch break ever, and it wasn't because she lost her place in line or got back to work late for all those other orders she had to take back to her frriends. Oh, no. But I guess that would have preferred that instead of having a mad scientist grab her by the hair and inject her with a deadly serum that hurt like hell. Or see that same mad scientist get killed by The Terminator who strode in talking crap about Vampires. But that's exactly what happened to Jillian Conrad and she embarked on the adventure of her life along with an unfeeling dhampyr who could easily kill her to destroy the Vampire king but they have to do it while they protect each other because, against her better judgment because after all he's the one who kidnapped her, she finds herself falling in love with Declan. Even though he's not the handsomest man out there but his feelings for her, when out there, are truthful.

In this captivating story the mythology about Dhampyrs and Vampires is just amazing. While this isn't the first book I've read with Dhampyrs in it--Vampire Academy being a really good view into that world of half-breeds and Night Huntress series another one--this one was more morbid from the romanticized ones.  It was a bit frustrating seeing how Declan struggled to keep his emotions under control with a serum his step-dad , who I believe is a scientist too, created so he wouldn't embrace his vampire half, because he wasn't evil or anything. sure, he was a Dhampyr and there are two kinds of Vampires--the humanoid ones with talons and sharp teeth, scary stuff--but Declan was the perfect kind. While this isn't the first book by Michelle Rowen I've read, this one definitely became one of my favorites.

Rowen is so good at making you believe what you read and keeping it fast-paced so you will be asking for more at the end of the book. The betraying party was pretty obvious since the beginning. The characters very believable, specially Jillian who isn't exactly super strong or powerful in kind of way and relied only on herself and mental strength to function after such traumatic experience. And--best of all--Declan. It was nice having a not-so-perfect male protagonist. Sometimes perfection sucks. He isn't the handsomest men. He isn't perfect. He doesn't even feel much as far as feelings go because of the serum he takes to keep himself under control. Though the whole I'm-afraid-of-what-I-might-do-to-you thing is the usual about a vampire (half breed in this case). Still, his imperfections became the most perfect thing about him. It made him more realistic for the reader as well as for Jill. 


In conclution, you should most definitely read this amazing urban fantasy thriller. It will grab your attention from page one of course because Jill's voice is so realistic and coherent when describing her surroundings that I'm sure you won't be able to put down. And, like me, you will beg for the sequel (Bloodlust) which I believe is released in July 5, 2011. Cool, uh? We don't have to wait that long. 


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Rating: 5.0


Trailer of Book:

There's also an anthology that takes place a few days after the end of the book. Check it out here.