Conflicted by Julia Crane

Release Date: 14th September, 2011

Publisher: Valknut Press

Pages: 210pgs

The Story

In the Elfin world, magic and destiny determine who will be together. "Chosen" pairs are fated to meet at the age of 18.

Keegan, however, is an anomaly. Having fallen into the battle between the Light and the Dark, she is only alive due to Black Magic, and her bond with her Chosen is broken. She cannot remember Rourk at all.

For the first time, she feels like a normal teenager. She is dating Donald, her long-time crush, and everything seems perfect. But Rourk still feels their bond, and despairs for the woman he was always meant to love.

Keegan's best friend Anna is determined to find a way to use her powers to return Keegan's bond, no matter what it takes. The question is does Keegan want it?

The Review

A big thanks to the author Julia Crane for providing me with an ebook copy!

CONFLICTED starts right after the events of Coexist and you can read my review on the first book here. The last time we saw Keegan she was saved from death, but because of a nasty side effect of black magic, she has no memory of her Chosen one, Rourk. Without the memory of Rourk and the freedom it offers of not having a Chosen one, in CONFLICTED Keegan decides to date her friend, Donald. And all through the book, Rourk is of course not happy about this situation he's put in but he decides to enlist in the army so he can try and let go of Keegan forever.

I can't necessarily say I liked this book more than the first, but it was entertaining to say the least. There was only one character I felt bad for and that was Rourk. The poor guy wants the girl he loves, Keegan, to remember who he is and retrieve back their bond . . . but it all seems impossible when his love falls for someone else. I'm always Team Rourk but for Donald fans, I just don't see his appeal whatsoever. As for Keegan's character, readers will see an entirely different girl in this book due to the side effect of the black magic. I didn't like the new Keegan and I wanted the old one back, and despite the crazy things that happened, I was still very happy with the way things ended - though the author did rush the ending.

Overall I thought CONFLICTED was a fast-paced, easy-to-read book. I enjoyed the world Julia Crane created and like I said above, even though it wasn't better than the first book, but the novel's series are going in the right direction in entertaining the reader and I can't wait to see what happens in book three.

The Rating

3/5 stars

Follow Friday

Today's Follow Friday is hosted by Kati at Parajunkee's View.

This week's question: If you could pick one character in a book, movie or television show to swap places with, who would it be?

My answer: That's a really tough question. So I'll answer in book, movie, and television show. For books, I would have to choose the character Tessa from Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel book because I would ditch Will and pick Jem without looking back. For movies, I would have to choose the character Anne from Anne of Green Gables films because I've always wanted my own Gilbert and Anne's witty tongue . . . and writing abilities. And lastly for a television show, I would have to choose the character Amy Dorrit from the mini-tv series Little Dorrit because despite her family troubles, I admire her strength and of course I would get to be with the lovely Arthur Clennam.

So what's your follow friday answer this week?

Have a great weekend you guys!

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Release Date: 19th July, 2011

Publisher: MTV Books

Pages: 243pgs

The Story

She's writing about him. He's writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines.

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions - it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despite Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing the assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.

The Review

A big thanks to Jennifer Echols for sending me an autographed review copy of this book!

My name is Erin. Her name is Erin. My middle name contains the name Elizabeth. Her middle name is Elizabeth. I want to study Creative Writing. She is studying Creative Writing. I love writing my own stories. She loves writing her stories. As you see by the similarities between myself and the main character Erin Blackwell, it's no wonder why I love this book already - even before reading it - and because I'm a super huge fan of Jennifer Echols's book Going Too Far, I pretty much knew this book was going to be another winner for me. And it definitely was through my eyes. Plus when I got this book in the mail, it was signed by the lovely author who provided me with this review copy. So kudos to Jennifer Echols and her writing awesomeness!

First of all, let me just say I loved how the author raised the ages of the characters and wrote a book set in a college campus environment. For me this is something very rare for a young adult fictional book and I think we need more of these for our older teen readers. Everything from the storyline to the characters, it all worked out really well for the story's premise.

In Jennifer Echols new book LOVE STORY, Erin Blackwell grew up in Kentucky with her grandmother and lived on their racehorse farm. But unlike her grandmother and the life she wants for her granddaughter, Erin has big dreams to become a professional writer in New York City and when she leaves for college to major in Creative Writing, her grandmother cuts her off financially and leaves her inheritance and her money to the handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen, who has agreed to take over the family business. Much to Erin's dismay and shock. Then, Hunter eventually shows up at the same college Erin is attending and not to mention joins her class of Creative Writing. He didn't choose an ideal time either, because Erin has written a steamy romance story and is reading it to the entire writing class - spotlighting the 'stable boy.' But Hunter has his own plans because he too writes a steamy hot story that has all the students eating out of his hands . . . and Erin realizes that the tables have now turned.

I'm going to lay it on the table - I really loved this book. More importantly I loved the creative writing classes and the stories traded between Erin and Hunter. Their lives are the inspiration to their stories and while being criticized by their fellow peers, little do they know how true the events are and how close they follow the character's actual lives. It was just a really interesting way to look at things and discover little secrets along the way. While I loved all of the supporting characters throughout the book, but what really got to me was the undeniable romance between Erin and Hunter. They were both interesting characters with their own set of dreams and the two of them had spot on tension and chemistry which a lot of readers will love. I found Erin as a character was a little too judgemental for her own good, but I love her aspirations and the feeling how nothing will ever get in her way. As for Hunter, I adored him but damn that boy took his time to admit his feelings . . . but then again that's what boys do.

Now I would've given the book 5 stars but for me the major let-down was the ending. Ah . . . how the ending disappointed me so. I don't particularly like books that have chapters that build to a certain point of tension and then just when you think something big is going to happen and change the course of the events, you suddenly have that tension shrink, leaving you questioning some things. The ending for me was too rushed for my taste and I was a little confused by a couple of things that happened. But overall, you have great characters, great chemistry, and a great love story all round. Jennifer Echols's LOVE STORY will satisfy any reader of a light-hearted romance - with some steamy twists - and I highly recommend this one!

The Rating

4 1/2 / 5 stars

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Release Date: 31st August, 2011

Publisher: Atheneum

Pages: 543pgs

The Story

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due - so unfair - on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he'd rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can't help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

The Review

Okay before I start, I just want to say that I wasn't going to read this book, mainly because I don't like cheerleaders being the heroine's. Truth be told, I usually find myself disconnecting from the story when you have those typical American high school popular girls with their ever-do-dumb jock boyfriends - if you know what I mean. But since this book revolved around my beloved and ultimate favourite poet of all time - Mr. Edgar Allan Poe himself, who is a real inspiration to me and to my own writing - I knew I had to read this book as soon as possible! Judging from the raving reviews and all the great things people had to say about NEVERMORE, I'm so glad that I gave this book a chance because I couldn't dare take my eyes off Kelly Creagh's descriptive and captivating pages filled with wow-ing words . . . it was everything that I hoped it would be for me and more!

At first glance of the storyline, you straight away think of the cliche popular girl falling for the outcast guy and no one can understand their relationship. You think to yourself, "This is the same old young adult love story . . ." but don't - I mean ever - overlook this book. The thing about the main character, Isobel, while she maybe popular and a cheerleader, but she was smart in loving cheerleading for what is rather than what is represented and I loved her instantly in the very first chapter. Sure, she was a little not sure of herself as a person, but as the story progressed further, I really admired her standing up against her so-called 'friends' for Varen and she didn't care about what others thought of her. She just kept her head high no matter what. Even if she was upset about it from time-to-time. Now this leads me to Varen . . . what can I say without falling madly in love with him? Seriously if I was in high school again, I wished Varen was real and my boyfriend. I have a thing for the 'outcast' guy but what I loved most about him was how dreamy he was and how he respected and 'worshipped' the words of Poe - my kind of guy! But right here and right now, I will stop talking about Varen because I won't stop so make note of this: he's everything you want in a love interest - an unknown entity that you need to unravel by reading the whole of this amazing book! He's great.

For me what really nailed NEVERMORE's story was Kelly Creagh's writing! She managed to juggle a book with so much love and passion of Poe, and also added some great banter and mystery for Isobel and Varen's character. It was one of the best books I've read this year and I'm definitely looking, wanting, craving . . . for more NEVERMORE action and adventure! The cliffhanger at the end was a real killer and you guys MUST read this book! If you're not an obsessed fan of Edgar Allan Poe like myself, then don't worry if you haven't read any of his work, because the story itself has so many interesting facts about him and Kelly Creagh has twisted it into a whole new ball of fun!

The Rating

5/5 stars

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Release Date: August, 2011

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 293pgs

The Story

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 the 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.

The Review

THE GODDESS TEST is based around Greek Mythology, where our heroine, Kate, makes a deal with Henry (Hades) in return for saving her friend's life, and to spend more time with her mother before she dies. But Kate will need to pass seven tests of the council to become Henry's wife, otherwise her memory is wiped, and Henry will fade into nothingness.

Clearly there is an outpour of Greek-Mythology-based books in the young adult fictional world and that's not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to being caught up into a 'trend'. Because I'm all for it. Apart from Josephine Angelini's Starcrossed book that was released earlier this year, this book right here has also become one of my favourites too. So to all those who are dissing this novel on Goodreads, while I understand your frustrations when it comes to Kate's actions and the quick-romance shared between her and Henry, but to those who didn't fully read and be engaged in this book, I seriously recommend giving this book another go. I hardly saw any faults in the book and since I'm a lover and interested in the Greek myths, I found this book was very entertaining and I wanted more!

One of the things I liked about THE GODDESS TEST was our heroine, Kate, herself. To me it was easy, as a reader, to empathize with her situation and all the crazy things that kept happening to her. I think anyone with a dying parent or a dying friend would want to do anything they could to hold onto them a little longer, so I admired her choices when it came to that and even with Henry and the seven tests. As clueless as Kate was, she did make some mistakes in trusting the wrong people, but she was still a loveable character whom you wanted to get to know more and I guess without her in the story this story would not work. And after all, mistakes come with being a teenager. We all make them from time-time. Also, when it comes to Henry, I absolutely loved his character. Who wouldn't love him? Some say he's creepy but I say he's someone who needs a person to understand him for the way he is. Sure, he didn't have much personality (who does nowadays), but what did you expect for a God stuck in a hot boy's body? Plus that added a mystery to him, which I also liked. As for the supporting cast of many characters, they were needed for the storyline but I couldn't say I loved them all because I didn't trust them, much like the way Kate couldn't either. But all-in-all, I loved all of the characters - the good, the bad and the crazy ones.

Another element I liked most about this book was how the external plot was surrounded with gods and there were plenty of surprises thrown my way, ones I didn't expect either. Which was good. So for those looking for a great young adult story to keep you entertained throughout the day and night, then be sure to pick up a copy of THE GODDESS TEST! Aimee Carter has a delightful debut novel here that has an unique spin on the Hades and Persephone myth, with a storyline of her own. Original. Intriguing. Surprising. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel of this trilogy and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next!

The Rating

4 1/2 / 5 stars

If I Die by Rachel Vincent

Release Date: 27th September, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin

Pages: 342pgs

The Story

The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee - she screams when someone dies.

But the next scream might be for Kaylee.

Yeah - it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck . . . before he discovers they aren't quite human, either.

But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life.

Anything.

The Review

The truth is I love Rachel Vincent - an author who has become one of my ultimate favourites in both young adult and adult fiction. I will read anything of hers, especially any Soul Screamers book because you will never find yourself disappointed. Like many of my favourite book series, each book in this series keeps getting better and better, and I seriously don't know how Rachel Vincent does it. I believe some magical power is involved or perhaps a deal with the devil . . . when it comes to her ability to write. Now with our favourite heroine, Kaylee, she's faced with her impending death which is only a week away and I just had to sit down and devour the whole soul of this book in one sitting. And really, all I have to say is "Wow. Talk about high-running emotions!" Trust me, there are so many emotions here!

IF I DIE is the fifth installment of the Soul Screamers series and just within the first chapter, it's full of hard-hitting punch when Kaylee is told her 'borrowed time' is up. With the threat of Kaylee dying, instead of moping about and trying to figure out a way to wiggle out of this death issue, Kaylee focuses more on solving the problem of Mr. Beck - a soul-sucking-lusting incubus, who just happens to be the hot new maths teacher and who also happens to be using his girl students for his own advantage. But as the time starts to tick down, Kaylee will need to make more decisions than she originally planned - one including Nash.

I loved the other books in the series, but I LOVED this book the best. All the tension, the anticipation, the lust, the love, the wanting, the secrets, the lies . . . it was everything I hoped for and more. Unfortnately some readers maybe disappointed in Nash's character. Now I used to be Team Nash all the way because he was the guy you want in your life, but ever since the events of My Soul To Keep, the Nash we used to know isn't the same Nash anymore and we as fans need to accept this by the time you read the end of this book. I've accepted this now. However for Tod fans - a team which I'm officially on forever and forever and I won't look back, you guys will be super happy because he gets more of the spotlight and he's just super-awesome-swoon-worthy-type-of-delicious-guy that will have girls screaming like Kaylee! Let's just say Tod puts a wedge between Kaylee and the broken Nash, which I'm thankful for. Because I'll never forgive Nash nor will I respect him ever again. As for Kaylee's character, damn I love that girl! She has really come into her own and despite some flaws she had in this book, she finally knuckled down and made a decision that I respect her for. But I'm afraid that's all I can say for the meantime. I know I'm cruel.

Fans of the series will LOVE this book and it's typical for Rachel Vincent to make me falling on my knees and going, "I want more books!" That's just how she rolls as a best-selling author. And we love her for it. Rachel Vincent is gifted with so many talents of strong world-building, an unique and ever-so-fascinating and original 'paranormal' world, and of course, she has the amazing gift of writing characters that you have a rush of feelings for . . . and I'm talking about Kaylee and Tod here. Not Sabine of course, she was annoying as hell on fire. So I say to you all: READ THIS BOOK NOW BECAUSE THE REAPER WILL COME KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR OTHERWISE. Or not. *winks* But if it was Tod knocking on my door . . . then I wouldn't mind a visit or two. *another wink*

The Rating

5/5 stars

Coexist by Julia Crane

Release Date: 19th June, 2011

Publisher: Valknut Press

Pages: 210pgs

The Story

Sixteen-year-old Keegan is struggling to keep her huge secret from her friends - she's an elf, descended from a long line of elves that live in secrecy alongside humans. In elfin society, mates are predetermined but not allowed to meet until they are eighteen. Against tradition, Keegan's brother Thaddeus told her Rourk's name because his visions warned him she'd need Rourk's protection, especially since Keegan will play a key role in the coming war between the dark and light elves.

Rourk finds himself drawn to Keegan's side every time she thinks his name. He wants to talk to her but remains in the shadows, silently guarding her every time she mentally beckons him. A twist of fate thrusts the two of them together when Rourk is forced to step up his protection and makes his presence known. An ancient prophecy deeply entwines Keegan's family and the future of their society. Somehow they must find a way to thwart fate and win the battle . . . without losing Keegan.

With war brewing, and dark forces aligning, will Keegan and Rourk ever have the life together they both desire?

The Review

A big thanks to the author Julia Crane for providing me with an ebook copy!

In the book COEXIST, elves must marry their destined one when they come of age. Destined partners are matched to every elf chosen before they are born, and they're supposed to connect and have this amazing chemistry for one another. Sounds good, right? The only thing is: they are not supposed to know their destined partner until they turn eighteen. But for the main heroine of this tale, Keegan, she knows her destined one's name because her brother had a vision that told him Keegan needs to seek protection from her destined partner. So to cut to the chase, Rourk is Keegan's destined one and from afar he watches her, and they end up meeting and having this instant connection like nothing else they have ever felt before, and due to an upcoming war between the dark and the light elves, both Keegan and Rourk must work together.

When I came across this book on goodreads and read the plot, I knew immediately it was my type of read. And, thankfully, I won a contest hosted by the author, giving readers an ebook copy of her books. So kudos for that Julia Crane. Anyway I'm happy to say that this book was quite well-written and didn't disappoint. Keegan's character was a solid character. She has many friends, enjoys her school life and has great support. Same goes for her love interest, Rourk. Now he was a great character! During the course of this book there were a lot of moments where I shouted, "Just meet her already boy!" but other than those small outbursts, I truly loved his character and when he needed to act in protecting Keegan, I felt like he did it at the right time. Thank god for a love interest like that because most fictional boys take their time on things.

But like most young adult stories, the killer was the ending. There's always a twist at the end and I'm looking forward into reading COEXIST's sequel, which I have at the ready. All in all, this was a pretty great read and surprisingly a very cute story. If you're a fan of destined love and matched couples, then a lot of readers will enjoy this book!

The Rating

3 1/2 / 5 stars