Review: Ascend by Amanda Hocking

Ascend by Amanda Hocking
Trylle Trilogy #3
Release Date: April 24th, 2012
Number of Pages: 336
Publisher: St.Martin’s Griffin
Source: Raincoast Books

Wendy Everly is facing an impossible choice. The only way to save the Trylle from their deadliest enemy is by sacrificing herself. If she doesn’t surrender to the Vittra, her people will be thrust into a brutal war against an unbeatable foe. But how can Wendy leave all her friends behind…even if it’s the only way to save them?

The stakes have never been higher, because her kingdom isn’t the only thing she stands to lose. After falling for both Finn and Loki, she’s about to make the ultimate choice…who to love forever. One guy has finally proven to be the love of her life—and now all their lives might be coming to an end. 

Everything has been leading to this moment. The future of her entire world rests in her hands—if she’s ready to fight for it.

If there is one thing I really liked about this novel, it is the world Amanda Hocking had created. Was it my favorite book in the series? No. Why? I simply felt that it was slightly rushed, and that the ending wasn’t fitting to what I was expecting. I was expecting at least one of the main characters to have an unhappy ending. I find it hard to believe that after a war, a marriage, a love triangle, everyone seems happy.

I’m a little on the fence when it comes down to saying if I like Wendy or not in this book. The thing is, on one side, I liked that she is trying to do what is right for her people and that she is trying to do her job as princess and future queen. On the other side, I felt like she was a walking contradiction. One second, she is saying she can’t, and then she does it, then she says something else and do the opposite. That annoyed me. Still, I’m happy with her evolution and the maturity she gained through the three books.

Now, there are other characters that made me feel contradicted. Finn made me mad most of the time, as he is worse than Wendy when it comes down to doing the opposite of what he is saying. I mean, isn’t supposed to stay away? Yet, HE STILL IS THERE! Now, on the other side of the triangle, there is Loki. Loki, that I do like, and grew to like him better than Finn. Why? Loki is ready to fight, to run away with Wendy if she is ready to give him a chance.

If we talk about Wendy’s love life, I can’t not talk about Tove. Why are they FREAKING getting married?? I mean, Wendy isn’t his type, there is no romantic love between those two, and there will never be. I was really disappointed that they did decide to go through with it.

Finally, Elora and Wendy seems to understand each other, and get to share a loving moment together, instead of what we have seen in the first two books. It still left with so many unanswered questions about her, which could be nicely answer in anther short story (Please Amanda? Pretty, pretty please??)

I was expecting a little more, and felt a little cheated that everyone seems to get their happily ever after. I may have felt slightly let down with this third book, but I’m really excited to read more from Amanda Hocking. Overall, as a series, it is really great. I really enjoyed it, and will definitely recommend it to fans of this genre.

Stacking the Shelves #1

I've decided to stop doing IMM post (because of all the drama that went on this week). The Amazing Tynga, from Tynga's Review, started this new feature for bloggers to share the books they got during the week.

Here is what I got:

Ascend by Amanda Hocking (from Raincoast Books)

Wake by Amanda Hocking (from Raincoast Books)

Fated by Alyson Noël (from Raincoast Books)

Changeling by Philippa Gregory (from Simon & Schuster Canada)

The Selection by Kiera Cass (bought)

The Opposite of Tidy by Carrie Mac (bought)

What did you get this week?

Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass
The Selection #1
Release Date: April 24th, 2012
Number of Pages: 352
Publisher: HarperTeen

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

The Selection had been on my wish list for a while. I was really curious to see the dystopian version of the Bachelor. The idea sounded so good, but I felt like there was something missing for me to absolutely love this novel.

For me, the world was seriously lacking. I wanted more background information. I needed to know what happened, how the caste system really works (I kind of get what caste is what, but it’s mostly guesses. I wish they could have been described a little better.) We get a little bit of history, but it still didn’t feel like enough for me (I like my dystopian to be well explained, especially when it is a series. The first book should give us most of the information.) Then, there’s also the ending factor for me. What the Heck was that ending! You can’t stop there! How could you not tell us who would win (or at least give us the top two or something….)

Now there were a lot of characters in the novel, some we only see once or twice: the girls in the selections. Some were more developed, the ones that were staying the longest, of course. When it comes to main characters, I did really like America at first, as she wanted the man she loved (didn’t matter if he was lower than her) instead of the prince and the crown. That’s one thing I liked about her. Overtime though, I grew tired of the way she was acting with Maxon, and the way she couldn’t seem to make up her mind.

The Prince Maxon was a great “Bachelor”, especially since he really wanted to get to know the girl, listens to them. He wasn’t just there to get an eye candy for his arm. Now, I have to say there was one character that made me go mad most of the time: Aspen. The love triangle with, his comeback really made me want to scream. I didn’t really like Aspen to be honest, so that’s probably why I didn’t want him to be back.

Overall, I did like the novel. I simply didn’t fall in love with it. I wish the book had ended a little farther in the story, instead of so early. I wish we could have known who was the winner of the selection before book two. Still, I definitely read the second book in the series, and will check the TV show if the pilot is picked.

Review: Torn by Amanda Hocking

Torn by Amanda Hocking 
Trylle Trilogy # 2 
Release Date: February 28th, 2012
Publisher: St.Martin’s Griffin

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story…

She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined—and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers—and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits…and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.

Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted…in both worlds.

When I read Switched a couple of three months ago, I really enjoyed it. It was captivating and I really liked the concept of the book, the idea of changeling. Book two was a little less addicting to me, which is understandable as the middle books often ends up being a bridge between the first book and the third book. 

It is easy to see why she named the novel Torn. Everyone seems to be torn between many options. Wendy is starting to get torn between her obligation and her love for Finn. I liked that she was trying to take her responsibilities more seriously, but I felt like she was doing it for the wrong reasons, simply because Finn decided that his duty (and hers) were more important than their feelings. Finn made me so mad when he just decided that she needed to be with someone more her level. I mean, COME ON! If you love someone, shouldn’t you fight a little for him or her? 

 I really liked that we got to see a little more about her father, and the Vittra. Of course, if I talk about the Vittra, I can’t really forget about Loki. I really liked him. I’m hoping we’ll get to see more of him in the third book. There’s a thing about him that makes him addicting. He is strong, sensible, and he is really a great match for Wendy. If she can’t be with Finn, I wish it would be with him. After all, Wendy isn’t really Tove’s type. Toe’s a great friend, but a future husband? There won’t be much love, or passion between those two. Maybe a great friendship, but still... Another character I was glad to learn more about was Elora. I think it helps us understand a little more about her motivation, the reasons she acts the way she does with her daughter. One character I was really glad to see coming back is Matt. I love him as a brother, even if its relationship with Wendy isn’t as great as it used to be. 

 Overall, I did enjoy this novel. Was I a little disappointed over where the story is going? Yes. I’m just rooting for Fin and Wendy so much!! I can’t wait to see where the story is going; I hope we’ll also see more of Loki. The Trylle series is set in an amazing world that really made me want to read more of this series. A series you should really check out.

Have you read this series?

What did you think of it?

Who are you rooting for when it comes to Wendy's love life?

Waiting On Wednesay: The Evolution of Mara Dyer

 Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It is an opportunity for us to show books we can't wait to get our hands on.

This week, I'm waiting for:
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Release Date: October 23rd, 2012

Two days after Mara walks into a police station in Miami at the close of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, she is committed for psychiatric treatment for what her parents believe is a mental breakdown. But what seems like a hallucination to everyone else is a chilling reality for Mara. Someone from her past has discovered her strange, disturbing secret and that someone wants her to pay. But she's about to discover that the price is more than she can bear.

Dark and thrilling, suspenseful and passionate, The Evolution of Mara Dyer will have readers breathlessly turning pages to find out what will become of Mara Dyer next.

WOAAAAAAA IT HAS A COVER!!! I can believe that it will only be release in 6 months. I can't wait to read it. I love The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer so much!

What book are you waiting for this week?

Review: Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday 
Release Date: October 11th, 2011
Number of Pages: 303
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Bought

Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren’t enough, now he’s depending on Hartley to clear his name. 

But as much as Hartley wouldn’t mind seeing him squirm, she knows he’s innocent, and she’s the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school’s resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer’s next victim.

To me, this novel was a great fun and entertaining mystery, a novel you can easily devour in a matter of a few hours. I have to say that I didn’t figure out who the killer was until the end, which really surprised me. I’m usually good to figure those kinds of things out. Still, Gemma Halliday was able to give us so many clues to throw us off the right path. You’re never sure who really did it, until Hartley find it herself.

I was quite surprised that Hartley, even though her boyfriend had just cheated on her and made a fool out of her in front of the whole school, she still decided to help him prove his innocence. (After all, in high school, those things can pretty much kill your reputation. Secret never really seems to stay secret at that time of our life…) Hartley impressed me with her perseverance, her courage and intelligence. She did everything she could to find out who really did it, even if it put her in danger.

His ex-boyfriend? I didn’t like him that much, which is pretty understandable when you think he cheated on his girlfriends, the same girl that is still nice enough to try to prove his innocence. Another thing I really liked about the character is Sam and Hartley’s relationship. I love those two friends together. I think they made a great team, and I love that Sam is there for her through most of it, now I can’t forget about our favorite bad boy, Chase. Through the novel, I loved him, liked him, and hated him. I was never sure what his real intentions were, but in the end, he did surprise me.

Gemma Halliday’s writing really got me hooked from page one. As soon as I was done, I was already craving for book two, which is now officially out. Can you guess what I’m getting today?

If you’re looking for a fun and addicting mystery, Deadly Cool is right for you. A book I couldn’t seem to put down until I had discovered who the real killer was. A book I definitely recommend to those looking for this kind of book.

Would you read it?

Have you read it? 

What did you think of it?

Review: Purity by Jackson Pearce

Purity by Jackson Pearce

Release Date: April 24^th, 2012

Number of Pages: 218

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Source: Bought

A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.
Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.
Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.

Jackson Pearce is an author I adore. I discover her through youtube and twitter, and I then fell in love with her writing with Sweetly and As You Wish. With Purity, Jackson Pearce tries her hand at writing Contemporary, and she does it well. Purity is a fun and touching read about faith, promises, family and love.

Shelby made three promises to her dying mother before she passed, three promises she intends to keep. Because of those promises, she ends up with having to lose her virginity within 5 weeks. Why? She’s looking for a way out of the promises she has to make to her father at the Princess Ball, a promise to live a “pure life”.

Being no big fan of books with a too strong religious message, I was curious to see how Jackson Pearce would include the “God” aspect. I have to say that she did really well. I got the way she is somewhere between being unable to put faith in him, and being unable to believe in a god that left her mother die. I got that, maybe because I lost my mother at the same age, maybe because I lost any faith I have left because of that. I find hard to judge Shelby, hate her or love her. I see too much of me in her (and that’s scary). I have to say at first I was really annoyed by the way she understood some of the things she had been told (for example, the promises.)

The other characters were also a great addition to the novel. I really liked her father, as he is trying to make his relationship with his daughter better. I like that he wants to be there for her, yet he doesn’t know how. Jonas made me like him instantly. There was something about him, about the way he was Shelby that really made me want him to get everything he wants. I want him to have the happy ending I feel he deserves. Those were really the two characters that I really liked in the novel.

Jackson Pearce has an amazing talent to write funny narration and amazing stories that mixes humor and serious thoughts. One of the things that really made me happy at the end of this book was that Shelby learns the morals I wanted her to learn. That’s what I really liked about it. She was able to mature through the novel, even though it’s only five weeks. She learns to see the nuance between some of the words used in the promises she had to make, and she learned how to really apply them to her life. That’s what made me really enjoy this novel.

Overall, it’s a great book that is definitely worth reading. If you still haven’t read any books by Jackson Pearce, it really should be on your TBR list. She is worth reading.

Coming Out This Week! April 22nd- 28th

Purity by Jackson Pearce ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

The Story of Us by Deb Caletti ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

The Girl in the Park by Mariah Fredericks ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Masque of The Red Death by Bethany Griffin ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Spirit's Princess by Esther Friesner ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Supergirl Mixtapes by Meagan Brothers ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Thumped by Megan McCafferty ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

The Selection by Kiera Cass ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Ascend by Amanda Hocking ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Social Suicide by Gemma Halliday ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Dark Eden 2: Eve of Destruction by Patrick Carman ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Whisper by Alyson Noël  ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Zero by Tom Leveen ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Now in Paperback!

You are Here by Jennifer E. Smith ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Dark Eden by Patrick Carman ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Moonglass by Jesse Kirby ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

Bumped by Megan McCafferty ( BD- Amazon - Amazon.ca )

What book are you guys excited to read this week?

In My Mailbox 44

In My Mailbox is a Meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren. It is a way to share with other bloggers what you got during the week.

I haven't posted an IMM post in a while, but I doing one today so I can show you what I've received in the last few weeks. I bought some books, but I completly bad at remembering when i bought what, so I'll skip them for this time....

Here's is what I got! (Sorry about the crappy quality of the pictures)

 Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter (my review)
Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter (my review and a chance to win your own copy)

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (my review and a chance to win your own copy)

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press, Raincoast Books, Harlequin, Razorbil Canada and Simon&Schuster Canada!

What did YOU get?

Review: Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter

Title: Taken at Dusk

Author: C.C. Hunter

Series: Shadow Falls #3

Release Date: April 10^th, 2012

Number of Pages: 380

Publisher: St.Martin’s Griffin

Source: Publisher

Step into Shadow Falls, a camp for teens with supernatural powers. Here friendship thrives, love takes you by surprise, and our hearts possess the greatest magic of all.

Kylie Galen wants the truth so badly she can taste it. The truth about who her real family is, the truth about which boy she’s meant to be with—and the truth about what her emerging powers mean. But she’s about to discover that some secrets can change your life forever…and not always for the better.

Just when she and Lucas are finally getting close, she learns that his pack has forbidden them from being together. Was it a mistake to pick him over Derek? And it’s not just romance troubling Kylie. An amnesia-stricken ghost is haunting her, delivering the frightful warning, someone lives and someone dies. As Kylie races to unravel the mystery and protect those she loves, she finally unlocks the truth about her supernatural identity, which is far different—and more astonishing—than she ever imagined.

The third installment in the Shadow Falls series is as good as its predecessor. I read it again in a matter of hours, caught by Kylie’s story from page one. In this novel, we finally get a glimpse of what she really is. We actually learn WHAT she is without really learning what she is… Do I make sense? The thing is, we learn what kind of supernatural she is, without knowing the extent of her ability.

This book doesn’t disappoint when it comes to keeping you entertain from page one. There’s always something going on, being someone coming for Kylie, boys’ drama, of even people of her past bringing some drama. Kylie’s life isn’t getting any easier, that’s for sure. She still isn’t 100% decided on the one her heart desire, which for some may be getting annoying (I do hope she make her choice in next book, I clearly know who I would chose for me….)

One of the things C.C. Hunter is excellent at; it is keeping the character believable and having them mature in a realistic way through the series. That’s not always easy, especially after three novels, but she did it. Characters are so important to me in a series, so having them be really good was such a bonus for me.

Again, the characters in Shadow Falls are probably its biggest strength, in my opinion. Kylie is still the great main character that got me addicted to this series, the girl that can’t seem to follow her heart when it comes to boy, but has not problem being there for her friends when they need her. Lucas keeps on making me swoon and Derek still leaves me cautious. Holiday and Burnett still make me laughs, their chemistry so easily visible, yet still denied. Della and Miranda never seem to bore me, and I adore them as Kylie’s friend. I like that C.C Hunter made Sarah stop by the camp, which created a great clash between Kylie’s past and present.

Overall, it’s a series that I still recommend you read. It is simply addicting. I’m already dying to read the next installment in the series, coming out in October. Can it be October already??

Review: Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

Title: Awake At Dawn

Author: C.C. Hunter

Series: Shadow Falls #2

Release Date: October 11^th, 2011

Number of Pages: 383

Publisher: St.Martin’s Griffin

Source: Publisher

Step into the world of Shadow Falls, a camp that helps teens tap into their special…talents. Once you visit, you’ll never forget it—and you’ll never, ever be the same.

From the moment Kylie Galen arrived at Shadow Falls Camp, she’s had one burning question: What am I? Surrounded by vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, fairies and witches, Kylie longs to figure out her own supernatural identity…and what her burgeoning powers mean. And now she’ll need them more than ever, because she’s being haunted by a new spirit who insists that someone Kylie knows—and loves—will die before the end of the summer. If only she only knew who she was supposed to save. And how…

But giving Kylie the most trouble is her aching heart. Gorgeous werewolf Lucas left camp with another girl, but he’s still visiting Kylie in her dreams. And Derek, a sexy half Fae who’s always been there for her when she needed him, is pushing to get more serious—and growing impatient, especially when Lucas returns. Kylie knows she needs to decide between the boys, and it’s tearing her up inside.

Yet romance will have to wait, because something from the dark side of the supernatural world is hiding in Shadow Falls. It’s about to threaten everything she holds dear…and bring her closer to her destiny.

Awake at Dawn was an amazing sequel, that’s for sure. There was everything I could ask for, and even more.

The story in this second book was even more captivating than in Born at Midnight. Kylie may have accepted that she wasn’t completely human, but it doesn’t mean life gets easier! Love, friendships and family are there to complicate her life. Of course, there are always some strange things happening in Shadow Falls to keep thing interesting for the readers.

My favorite things about this series are the characters. They are simply so well presented, so well described. I feel like through what they are put through, the memories and the interactions between all the characters really let us understand what kind of people they are. It’s one thing I really like, as I sometime get bored when there are way to many descriptions. It can make the story longer and slower.

Kylie is a really great main character. She is a little more mature in this second book, but she still doesn’t completely know who she is and what she wants. Her heart is also unsure about who she really wants to be with. Her head (and body) says Derek, yet she can’t forget about Lucas. Now those two are some fine male characters, but I have to say that I prefer Lucas. There’s just something about Derek that makes me question if he is completely good (and truthful with Kylie). I know he hasn’t done anything to make me question his intentions, but still. Lucas to me is simply amazing. There is something mesmerizing about him that caught my attention from book one.

Della and Miranda were great friends to Kylie, which really made me like them even more. Della may be a bitch half of the time, but you still see that she will always be there for Kylie if she needs her. Same thing with Miranda. Kylie’s mother gets a better part in this one, as her relation with his daughter is getting better. I was happy about that, because a daughter needs her mother. Holiday and Burnett were two really great role models for the camp, and I have to say that I love the interaction between those two. It’s so clear that they are attracted to each other, yet they are worse than teenagers.

Again, C.C. Hunter caught me attention from page one. Like a bag of chips, it is one of those novels can’t be put down until you have read every word (or eaten every damn chip in the bag). Okay enough about food analogy, all you need to know is that if you haven’t read this series yet, you should start it really soon (as in RIGHT NOW!)

Guest Post: C.C. Hunter + Giveaway!

Thirteen Things You’ll Learn From Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter

1.     The only thing worse than trying to help a woman with amnesia remember her name and life is trying to help a dead woman with amnesia remember hers.

2.     Be careful what you wish for—you might just get it . . . and the reality will probably not be anything like the fantasy.

3.     The person you think is your enemy could just turn into a friend who'll do anything to save you.

4.     The scariest thing in the world isn't ghosts or rogue vampires bent on murder—it's falling in love.

5.     Explaining why you have a skunk curled up in your arms to your mom and your old best friend is as easy as eating a brownie while brushing your teeth.

6.     We all make mistakes, which is why it's so important to practice forgiveness.

7.     The only thing worse than a pissed-off shapeshifter is a pissed-off shapeshifter in love.

8.     Sometimes the earth really does have to open up and swallow you whole before you can accept the truth that's right in front of you.

9.     Vampires have no sense of humor . . . especially when they get turned into a kangaroo.

10.  Free will gives us choices, but even making the right choices can't change destiny . . . and learning to accept that can be the most painful lesson of all.

11.  People aren’t always who they say they are, even if you really want them to be.

12.  Sometimes when you try to save someone, they end up saving you instead.

13.  Never get between a dragon and a warlock on the war path.

I have one copy of Taken at Duck up for grab, thanks to C.C. Hunter and St.Martin's Press. 

US/Canada only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Step into Shadow Falls, a camp for teens with supernatural powers.  Here friendship thrives, love takes you by surprise, and our hearts possess the greatest magic of all.

Kylie Galen wants the truth so badly she can taste it. The truth about who her real family is, the truth about which boy she’s meant to be with—and the truth about what her emerging powers mean.  But she’s about to discover that some secrets can change your life forever…and not always for the better.

Just when she and Lucas are finally getting close, she learns that his pack has forbidden them from being together.  Was it a mistake to pick him over Derek? And it’s not just romance troubling Kylie. An amnesia-stricken ghost is haunting her, delivering the frightful warning, someone lives and someone dies. As Kylie races to unravel the mystery and protect those she loves, she finally unlocks the truth about her supernatural identity, which is far different—and more astonishing—than she ever could have imagined.

Taken At Dusk was release on April 10th, and it is the third book in the Shadow Falls Series. You can find my review of Born At Midnight, the first book in the series, here. My review of Awake at Dawn will be posted on Wednesday and my review of Taken at Dusk on Friday.

Review: Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Title: Born at Midnight

Author: C.C. Hunter

Series: Shadow Falls

Release Date: March 29^th, 2011

Number of Pages: 398

Publisher: St.Martin’s Griffin

Source: Bought

Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams,  Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever.  Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.”  Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either.  Or does she?  They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason.  As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas.  Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past.  Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart. 

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Born at Midnight is one of those novels I didn’t really any expectations about. It was one of those books that sit in my bookshelves. I finally read it last week, and I simply couldn’t put it down once I started it! I really had no expectations about this novel, as I hadn’t read many reviews about it. All I knew was that it was about a camp full of supernatural. Yet, HOLY SMOKE! THAT WAS SOOO GOOD!!!

I didn’t think I would get into the story as much as I did. That’s why I had decided to start the book before going to bed. WRONG IDEA! I ended up reading it in one sitting, only to finally be able to go to bed at 3AM. I just had to know what would happen next, to discover what Kylie really was.

The first novel in this series more about setting the tone for the series, and about presenting the characters, yet it never got boring to me. Even though there wasn’t killing action in most of the book, there was some action toward the end. Still, the characters in the novel really made it interesting, in my opinion. Kylie was interesting to me, especially since she didn’t simply want to believe she was a supernatural. I liked that about her, as it made her more believable in my eye. Her ex, Trey, was one character that I really dislike, as he was such a prick. I had trouble believing he acted with Kylie sometimes. Derek was one character that I started disliking toward in the middle of the book. There was just something about me that made me unable to trust his intentions towards Kylie. I can’t really say why though. Then, there’s Lucas that I ADORE. There’s just something about him that made me swoon. I can’t wait to read more of him in the next book.

C.C.Hunter created a series that will get you addicted. It is a novel you should really pick up soon if you haven’t yet. I can’t wait to finally discover what Kylie is!

Review: The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Calling

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Series: Darkness Rising #2

Release Date: April 10^th, 2012

Number of Pages: 326

Publisher: Doubleday Canada

Source: Bought

On the heels of the wildly popular The Gathering comes the second in the "Darkness Rising" YA trilogy from NYT bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is--a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

Kelley Armstrong never fails to impress me. Every one of her books has captivated me from page one, and this one is no exception. I have been craving for this book since I read The Gathering when it first came out. This made me excited for the sequel in the series Darkness Rising, yet it also raised my expectations.

The story starts right where we were left off in The Gathering. Rereading it may be a good idea before reading the Calling, if you don’t really remember what happened. The Calling is really a chase. Maya, Daniel and company are trying to get back home after being caught by the bad guys. They are trying to escape, and to survive in the wild.

This sequel doesn’t bore us. It is fast-paced and keeps you in the story until the ends. The amazing thing about this book is that it brings the story forward, without feeling like it’s just an in-between. Things are happening, but also being resolved. The only thing I was slightly disappointed with was the number of scene featuring Rafe. I really like him as a character, which make me sad that he wasn’t there much. I do like Daniel, simply not as much. Maya is simply amazing as a main character. She is strong, she is wise and she is driven to find the truth. I simply adore her. I love it when novels have strong female character, a girl that can think for herself.

If you love Kelley Armstrong’s books as much as I do, you probably realized that most of her work is interconnected. It is the world of the Darkest Power and Women of the Otherworld. Chances are that the Darkest Power’s character (Chloe, Derek) will meet Maya and company (which would be totally awesome).

Again, this book was far from disappointing. I read it in a matter of hours, being unable to put it down. It was that good. That’s something Kelley Armstrong is amazing at doing, writing novels that you simply need to read. Absolutely a must read for anyone fan of hers.