Hallowed - Cynthia Hand

Torn between her love for boyfriend Tucker and her complicated feelings about the role she seems destined to play, sixteen-year-old part-angel Clara races to decipher a new vision that could signify the end for someone close to her.

Thrilled to have finally gotten my hands on this book!

From the moment I delved into Unearthly, I fell in love with Cynthia Hand and her writing skills. She has a wonderful way of taking you in her mind and not letting go until the final moment. I finished reading Hallowed and was completely spent.

What I love most about this novel was all of the characters have layers, even the so called 'bad guys'. There was so much depth to them that I had a hard time disliking any of them. I did however find some points of Clara to be annoying, especially the scenes with Christian but nothing bothersome. I still really enjoyed this read and can't wait for the next book to be released (in 2013! *sniff*)

Two Truths & a Lie - Sara Shepard

(summary omitted to avoid spoilers)

I was really excited for this one to come out and I wasn't disappointed!

The suspense and drama was just as good and it constantly left me wondering who it was down to the last second. There were some parts that I felt like Emma was a sell out but for the most part I liked the novel. The writing was very typical for Sara, I couldn't put the book down even on the slower parts!

Super excited for the next one!

Prized - Caragh M O'Brien

 (summary omitted to save spoiling someone!)

I didn't think this book would be as good as the first but I was very happily and pleasantly surprised! I think it totally held its own in the series and I would even dare say I liked it more than the first! The characters were believably vulnerable but were showcased in their strengths, and as always the writing was beautiful.

I loved Gaia as a character and also the love interests were finally believable! I love a slow build-up for them and it broke my heard and made me smile all at the same time. Will and Leon were great male characters and the build was agonizing.

There were so many controversial topics and action that I couldn't stop reading!

In My Mailbox! (February 25 2012)

Weekly meme created by The Story Siren!

 

Is it that time of the week already? Well hooray! :) I didn't want to get a ton of books since I have so many to read as it is, but I did have a couple of holds to pick up and got two things from Half Price Books. Pretty good haul this time!

 

DreamGirls DVD

Two Truths & a Lie - Sara Shepard

Kathleen, Please Come Home - Scott O'Dell

Hallowed - Cynthia Hand (eee!)

Shelter - Harlan Coben

Revolution - Jennifer Donnelly*

 

** Read this one already and LOVED it. Found it at Half Price books for only 3 dollars. Score! =D

In My Mailbox! (February 19 2012)

Weekly meme created by The Story Siren!

Hello my dear Bookies! I hope your week has been wonderful. I wish this Texas weather could make up its mind though! Here are the books I got this week from the good ole library. Enjoy! =D

(links to GoodReads)

Anna Dressed in Blood - Kendare Blake

Fault in Our Stars, The - John Green
Clearing, The - Heather Davis
Teenage Waistland - Lynn Biederman & Lisa Pazer
Jessica Rules the Dark Side - Beth Fantaskey
Die for Me - Amy Plum

Video for those interested! =D

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Oh. My. God.

Do you know how when you open a book and you read the first page and you KNOW you're about to embark on something BIG? That is exactly what this book was like times a bazillion.

John Green is a complete genius and I would give my left kidney (oh hell, and my right) to have a tenth of his talent. It was simply dripping with emotion and love and tears and amazing that it completely overwhelmed me. I read this book a couple of days ago and it took me this long to write up the review because I want to give it justice.

The characters were desperately real to me that I could feel them breathing. I cried when Hazel cried, I hurt when she did, when she didn't want to get out of bed, neither did I. She is such a gorgeously written character and her strength was felt through and through. Augustus...there are no words. He is stunning and heartbreaking and the true definition of a man.

Now that I am crying all over again, I urge you to PLEASE read this book. It is everything. You will never need to read another book again after you read this one. What is life and death? What is the most important thing to us? Is it really over when we die? This book will change your life and make you think about things in a completely wonderful and frightening way. I am SO jealous of those who have not read it - you are in for such a treat and I cannot wait for you to open this wonderful, wonderful gift John has given you!

***** (and then some)

Shine by Lauren Myracle

When her best friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover the culprits in her small North Carolina town.

What a beautiful novel!

I was not expecting something to like so much from Lauren Myracle. I only knew her from her Internet series and honestly didn't expect this from her! The writing was incredible and the voice of Cat was so real to me that I could even hear her Southern twang in her voice. The crime against Patrick made my stomach turn and it felt so real that it was happening to one of my friends.

This story was about so much more than just the hate crime. It was about drugs and the effect it has on people and their relationships. I know firsthand what it does to people's lives and it made the book all the more important to me. It really proved that the smaller the town, the bigger the problems. I really recommend this book and it totally made me cry!

*****