Unravelling By Elizabeth Norris

Series: Unraveling #1
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Mystery
Release Date: April 24th 2012
Source: Bought
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 3/5 Stars
Synopsis: Leaving the beach, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit head on by a pickup truck. And killed. Then Ben Michaels, resident stoner, is leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, she knows Ben somehow brought her back to life…
Meanwhile, Janelle’s father, a special agent for the FBI, starts working on a case that seems strangely connected to Ben. Digging in his files, Janelle finds a mysterious device – one that seems to be counting down to something that will happen in 23 days and 10 hours time. That something? It might just be the end of the world. And if Janelle wants to stop it, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets – and keep from falling in love with him in the process…

I lent Unravelling to a friend before I read it, she loved it and then insisted that I read it. So I did. It wasn't what I expected at all though I haven't decided whether that's a good thing or not yet. The whole concept of a countdown till the end of the world seemed a bit cliché but this was actually very interesting. The story centers around Janelle who is hit by a car and killed. But then she's alive again with a guy leaning over her. She is positive that he brought her back to life, no one believes her of course. When Janelle sees one of her FBI agent dad's files she finds out about a countdown that can't be deactivated. She has less than 24 hours to stop it and she's sure the boy who brought her back to life has something to do with it.

I actually really liked most of the characters in this book. Janelle was an awesome heroine! There were points where she got on my nerves but overall she was a strong, independent character. I love how even when she's falling in love with someone she doesn't let it interfere with stopping the countdown. Ben, the main love interest, was quite sweet and nice but his personality didn't go further than that. But what he lacked in personality he made up for in his romantic behavior. I really did like him but I liked his best friend more. Elijah was very entertaining and the misunderstood vibe worked for him which is a rare occurrence. My absolute favorite character was Alex. He was Janelle's best friend and a very good one at that. He was always there for her and risked everything to help her, he even took care of her little brother. At first I was rooting for them to get together but as the book goes on you see it's purely friendship.

The book started off pretty slow but after a while the pace quickened. Usually I am very good at predicting what is going to happen in books but in this one I just couldn't, the twists and turns are completely unpredictable. Even though it went very quick I enjoyed the romance and the authors world building was almost flawless. One thing I wasn't keen on was the swearing. I'm used to it in adult books but this was way more than most adult books I've read plus it was supposed to be YA. This book is advertised as 24 meets the X-Files, neither of which I've watched but after this I may check it out. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy sci-fi or a good mystery.

My Favorite Genre:
“I mean, contrary to popular belief, I'm actually not harboring a secret desire to grow up and become a bioterrorist.”

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The Forest Of Hands And Teeth By Carrie Ryan

Series: The Forest Of Hands And Teeth #1
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Horror, Post Apocalyptic 
Release Date: March 10th 2009
Source: Bought
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 2/5 Stars
Synopsis: In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

I had been avoiding this book for ages because I was told by various people that it was the most depressing book I'd ever read. I love sad books but the way they said it kept me away. Eventually I began craving a sad book so I got started with this one but I was very disappointed. Call me heartless but I really didn't find it all that sad. Sure loads of people died and became zombies. So what? My biggest problem was that the author didn't give me enough time to actually gel with the characters. Before you even began to like them they were killed off. The whole book centers around the Forest of Hands and Teeth, in which zombies (or the Unconsecrated) lurk. The fences keep them out but who in the right mind would actually think a fence would hold out Zombies permanently? Well they did apparently.

I didn't particularly like any of the characters in this book. Mary, the main heroine, was boring and very selfish. She was utterly obsessed with finding the ocean so she dragged everyone with her to find it. This didn't go well for most of them. It seems I wasn't the only one who hated Mary, the other characters didn't seem to either. The minor characters; Travis, Harry and Cass didn't really interest me either. They all seemed flat and lifeless. One character I liked slightly was Jed, Mary's brother. He actually seemed like he cared about people! Most of the rest were only looking out for themselves but he was better. By far the prize for the best character goes to Argos. Yes he's a dog but he has ten times more personality than the rest of them.

Time for some positives! Carrie Ryan's story building was detailed and completely unique. I liked the idea of the Sisterhood but we were given no where near enough information about them. We were told they had secrets but it was left at that. I want to know the secrets! The author left us to puzzle them out ourselves. Oops that went a bit negative, let me try another positive. I liked the idea of the Unconsecrated. They weren't the typical 'Braaains' kind of zombie. They appeared more interesting. We didn't find all that much out about them but I'm hoping we will in the next book. I would recommend this book to people who want a twist on the average zombie book. Beware apparently some people find it depressing, I may just be the minority who doesn't agree.

My Favorite Quote:
“You think you want love, Mary. You think it is this beautiful gift that does nothing but fill you and make you whole. But you are wrong. Love can be cruel and ugly. It can become dark and cause the deepest pain.”

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The Iron Daughter By Julie Kagawa

Series: The Iron Fey #2
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Faeries
Release Date: August 1st 2010
Source: Bought
Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 3/5 Stars
Synopsis: Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

I really want to love this series. I mean everyone loves this series! I just can't though. I tried my hardest and I think I liked it better than the last but I still don't love it. I was really disappointed that this series isn't as good as everyone says for me. Anyway the story follows on from the last where Ash is keeping the bargain and taking Meghan back to the Winter Court. Once there he begins to give her the silent treatment. Meghan's powers have mysteriously gone walkies too so she's well and truly stuck as long as the Winter faerie queen wants her for. That may be a while.

The characters in this book are so temperamental it's difficult to decide whether or not I like them. Meghan is just very annoying, she comes across very spoiled and not very clever. The synopsis totally mislead me with the words 'wits' and 'backbone', I actually thought she may have developed those two things since the last book. I was wrong. Okay maybe I am a bit harsh, she's bearable I suppose. I was hot and cold with Ash. I quite liked him in the first book and he was alright in this one but I know his type. The cold, depressed, you're-better-off-without-me kind of guy. If I had a penny for the amount of characters in books that said the girl would be better without them but still pursued the romance I'd be a millionaire. One character I've always loved is Puck. He is hilarious, sweet and he loves Meghan way more than Ash AND he's upfront about it. Seriously I am team Puck all the way... that is unless Grim has a team. But that would be weird - since he's a cat. A talking cat! No Grim is by far the most awesome character plus he's not in love with Meghan (yay!).

One thing I do love about these books is the world building. The Nevernever is by far one of the most well built story worlds I've ever come across so I can't fault the author on that. The story begins slow for the first 7/8 chapters until Puck and Grim appear, then the party begins! There were several unexpected twists and the book it's self is entertaining and not as creepy as the last one. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy the Faerie genre or want a twist on it.

My Favorite Quote: 
“Wow, icy reception here. And to think I came back from the dead for this."

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Stray By Rachel Vincent

Series: Shifters #1
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy
Release Date: May 26th 2007
Source: Bought
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 2/5 Stars
Synopsis: There are only eight breeding female werecats left . .
And I'm one of them.I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.
Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked. I'd been warned about Strays - werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared. 
This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back . . . for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever --and whoever - I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays - 'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them . . .

I didn't expect to like this book all that much but I wanted a change from YA so I picked this one off my shelf where it had been sitting for quite a while. Am I glad I did? Yes! I really loved it. I have my ups and downs with Adult books for example I love the Night Huntress series but I'm not all that keen on the Fever series. I'm happy to say this ranks right up there with Night Huntress. It is a mixture of witty remarks, hilarious moments but also a serious side. The book follows Faythe Sanders after she is called back from College where she had finally got the independence that she had craved her entire life. After some of her Pride go missing it is unsafe for her to stay especially since a Stray came after her - she fought him off and won but apparently the fact she can look after herself doesn't matter all that much. After much argument Faythe agree's to go home until it's safe. But Faythe isn't the type to sit back and do nothing.

Faythe was awesome! I just had to get that out because seriously any girl who can fight off a guy and break his nose has my automatic approval. She annoyed me a couple of times but by the end I loved her. She has officially made my top ten heroine's list - which I have yet to write but still. This book made me wish that Young Adult authors tried a bit harder to make their females a bit more badass. You have the likes of Rose from Vampire Academy and Katniss from The Hunger Games but that's just not enough. There are so many more guy-reliant backboneless heroines than there are badass ones. We really need more. The main male character Marc, was alright but he didn't really stand out all that much. But at the same time I was really rooting for him and Faythe to get together so I must have liked him a bit. I just hope he grows on me.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and a will be reading the next in the series - well the third since I've already read the second, yes they're that good. This book is fast paced and kept me guessing until the last page. I just couldn't put it down. Not even while I was cooking so the book nearly got a bit singed, don't worry I saved it just in time. I would recommend this book to people who want a heroine can handle herself. Just remember it's an Adult book so I am recommending it to more mature readers.

My Favorite Quote's:

“Apparently the complete works of Shakespeare packed quite a wallop. To think, my mother said I'd never find use for an English degree. Ha! I'd like to see her knock someone silly with an apron and a cookie press.”

“The queen was my favorite chess piece. Unlike the women I knew in real life, she was powerful. Her job was to defend her husband at all costs, because while he was weak and practically defenseless—only allowed to move one square at a time—she was the strongest player on the board, hindered by no restrictions at all.”

“You mostly.” Her hands went still again as her eyes stared off into the past with a look so wistful it made me ache for her. “The boys tended to take care of each other but you were too much for anyone else to handle.
”I poked at the ball of yarn avoiding her eyes. “I wasn’t that bad.”
She smiled. “You broke Ethan’s arm.”
“It was self-defense. He wouldn’t let go of my foot.”
“He was helping you tie your shoe.”

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Hallowed By Cynthia Hand

Series: Unearthly #2
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Paranormal
Release Date: January 2nd 2012
Source: Bought
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
Cover Rating:  3/5 Stars
Synopsis: For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn't prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.


I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Unearthly, and I had high hopes for this one. I have realized after many disappointments that my expectations are nearly impossible to meet, but this one got pretty close. I had the same problem with this one as Unearthly; it has a very slow start. Once you get into it though it speeds up tremendously. The book follows on from the previous one as Clara has failed her purpose - or at least she thinks she has. She's not all that sure to be honest. She has started to have a new vision. A new purpose maybe? She's not all that sure about that either. Not a very decisive girl. What she does know though is that someone she loves will die very soon. She doesn't know who, why or how they will die. But they will.

I don't remember if I liked Clara in the first book but right now I'm on the fence about her. She doesn't annoy me, but she doesn't entertain me either. She is a bit like a vessel that keeps the story going but doesn't leave a lasting impression. She's tolerable and acts the age she's supposed to be, which is more than I can say for a lot of young adult heroines. There is a love triangle in this book but wait before you put this on your 'stupid-teen-love-triangle shelf (and we all know you have one). This isn't the average love triangle, it's a triangle out of necessity. That may sound stupid but it actually is not. Clara has to decide whether to be with the one she loves or the one her purpose seems to be foretelling that she be with. The obvious answer is of course the one she loves but it's not all that simple. Christian, one of the guys in question, changed a lot since the last book. In the first I thought he was quite sweet and for a while preferred him to the other. In Hallowed, that all changed. Christian became a jerk going after a girl who was taken and being rather forceful about it. Sure he still had his sweet parts but I was never positive if there was a hidden motive behind it or not. Tucker on the other hand was as perfect as ever. He must be the only YA character I've come across who wants to be a farmer and goes to rodeo's. He is also one of the only characters who didn't  come to terms with something unbelievable within minutes.

Example:
Bella Swan: Your a vampire?
Edward Cullen: Yes I am, fear me little breakable human. I'm a monster!
Bella Swan: I don't mind. I love you! Vampires are like, so cool! *

* No disrespect to people who like Twilight, I actually don't hate it myself but it's just made to mock!

I may have misquoted that but it's something along those lines. Anyway overall the book although not as good as the last was one of my favorite Angel based books. The plot - yes it actually has a plot! Take that Fallen! - has many aspects intertwined. The whole idea of a 'purpose' is extremely original and I grab all the originality I can get when it comes to these kind of books. I would recommend this book to those who want a new twist on the over written angel genre.

My Favorite Quote's: 

“Before I moved here, I never got the whole love-triangle thing. You know, in movies or romance novels or whatnot, where there’s one chick that all the guys are drooling over, even though you can’t see anything particularly special about her. But oh, no, they both must have her. And she’s like, oh dear, however will I choose? William is so sensitive, he understands me, he swept me off my feet, oh misery, blubber, blubber, but how can I go on living without Rafe and his devil-may-care ways and his dark and only-a-little-abusive love? Upchuck.”

“Hi there," Tucker says brightly, like we're bumping into each other on the street.
"Uh, hi."
"Nice night for stalking," he observes.
"No, I was---"
"Get your butt in here, Carrots.”
---
“I sneaked out to his house a couple times in the middle of the night to watch over him while he slept, just in case, I dont know, his comic book collection decided to spontaneously combust. This was dumb and admittedly creepy in an Edward Cullen kind of way”
See even the book mock's it!

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Everneath By Brodi Ashton

Series: Everneath #1
Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology, Romance, Paranormal
Release Date: 2nd February 2012
Source: Bought
Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 5/5 Stars
Synopsis: Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists. Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen. As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

I went into this book with huge hopes as it is one of the most talked about books published this year. The book did fall slightly short of my expectations though. It might be the genre, I want so much to like it as I love Greek mythology but it was just too slow. As I got into the book it quickened but not tremendously. The good thing about Everneath is that it's totally unique. The world building was amazing which brought my rating up significantly. The book follows Nikki Beckett as she tries to make the most of the little time she has left before the Everneath comes back to claim her. She wants to make things right before she goes again, forever.

I had a hard time with a lot of the characters in Everneath. Nikki herself was just very annoying. She comes back mostly to make things better with her boyfriend but then does nothing for about three months. She literally spends months dreaming about how things used to be but never does anything about it until she has about a week left. I've seen plenty of people who read this book swoon over Jack but if I'm totally honest he didn't really appeal to me. He was kind, sweet, loyal and boring. His character seemed two dimensional. Almost too perfect. I've said it before, I'll say it again. I like flaws. Cole, on the other hand, had plenty of flaws being the immortal who tempted her into the Everneath in the first place. I didn't love him but there were times when I felt like I could.

Overall, although this book didn't meet my hopes, I still enjoyed it. It is an interesting twist on the story of Persephone and Hades, which happens to be one of my favorites. Throughout it had references to other Greek myths which kept my interest. I would recommend this book to people who want a change from the typical mythology books because the whole starcrossed lovers story frenzy is so last year.

My Favorite Quote:
“Friends don't eat friends' souls.”

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Stacking the shelves is hosted over at Tynga's Reviews. I haven't been buying many books recently but sometimes I just can't resist. I have been waiting to read these long enough - or that's what I told myself when I bought them. Here's What I Got!



These two both look amazing! I love both covers, crazy hair and all!

I originally wanted to read Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols but it was mega expensive on Amazon so I settled with Going Too Far for half the price. I've been wanting to read Cinder since it first came out, and I really want that shoe!


I've already finished both of these - quick work I know. Read my review of Supernaturally here and my review of The Iron Daughter is coming soon.


I'd heard of this book before but it wasn't that high on my TBR list, I saw it for £2 in my favorite book shop and who can argue with that?

What did you get? Leave me your links or tell me in the comments!
Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Supernaturally By Kiersten White

Cover Rating: 4/5 Stars
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Synopsis: Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be...kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees. But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.
So much for normal.

I was really looking forward to this book because I had loved the last one and I had huge expectations. Sadly for me it seems my expectations were a little too high. I didn't find this book as entertaining as the last and the heroine who I had adored in the last book seemed like a shadow of her former self. The story line was not as defined as the last one so I would sometimes have to think about what the point of a lot of actions were. The book did get better as it went on but I missed the hilarity and quirkiness of the first book. The story takes place in Lend's hometown which kind of made me miss the center she used to live in. Evie has finally got the life she's dreamed of all her life but she's bored. The moment she is asked back to the IPCA, the place she's always wanted to escape she jumps at the chance.

A lot of the characters just didn't do it for me this time round. Evie herself came across as selfish and annoying, no much I tried to ignore it I couldn't. She seems very self centered and makes a huge deal of things that didn't matter all that much. Luckily her quick wit and sarcasm kept me from hating her, I am hoping her original personality returns in the last book and this one is just temporary. I loved Lend in the first book but he wasn't in this one all that much and when he was it didn't really leave an impression. He's sweet, kind and... a bit boring. Reth also wasn't in it much but he is very intriguing, I much preferred him in this book though. There was a new character called Jack who I loved the moment he popped into the book. He was hilarious and so hyper. I found myself looking forward to his every chapter. Jack saved the book for me though I really wish the author hadn't ruined that for me in the last few pages.

Overall the book was not as good as the first but still pretty good. The addition of Jack most definitely increased my enjoyment of most of the book. The start was slow but it soon quickened. One thing I loved were the chapter titles, I usually skip reading them in other books but these made me laugh every time. The personality in this series is just amazing, you can connect with the narrative voice which isn't always that easy. I would recommend this series to people who want a light, witty read with likable characters.

My Favorite Quote:
“Marry me. Nay, marriage will cost us precious moments together. Let us make sweet, passionate love right here. Let me bear your children.”
A primal growl signaled Miss Lynn getting over her shock at being thus addressed. She lunged forward; Jack deftly rolled off the bench, jumping up out of her reach.
“Goodness, I didn’t expect you to be quite this enthusiastic about my advances. If I don’t play hard to get, how will I ever know whether or not you respect me?”

“When I caught up, I grabbed Jack’s arm. “What are you doing here?” 
“Hiding! That’s how you play the game, right? I though tthe title hide-and-seek was fairly self-explanatory. Then again, you are blond.” 
“So are you, idiot. Again, what are you doing here?”

“Jack might look my age, but he was like a little kid on a sugar high - in need of a good spanking. - Good heavens, that sounded creepy.”

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK