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.”

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Paranormalcy By Kiersten White

Cover Rating: 5/5 Stars - It's Gorgeous!
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Synopsis: Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal. Only now Paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.

I really wasn't expecting to love this book so much! I didn't buy it because I really wanted to read it. I was in my book shop and it was 3 for 2 on all books - great right? - and I had two books I wanted but couldn't find a third. I loved Paranormalcy's cover and I vaguely remembered hearing about it is I grabbed it. I had no idea what it was about but the cover really is stunning. The book initially seems like quite a fluffy read but it's really not. The moment I read the first page I was hooked. Need more convincing?

“Wait- did you-- You just yawned!” The vampire’s arms , raised over his head in the classic Dracula pose, dropped to his sides. He pulled his exaggerated white fangs back behind his lips. “What, imminent death isn’t exciting enough for you?”

“Oh, stop pouting. But, really, the widow’s peak? The pale skin? The black cape? Where did you even get that thing, a costume store?” 

If that doesn't make you race to your closest book shop I don't know what will!

Okay I'm only going to say this once so listen up - I loved Evie! Yes my favorite character in a book was actually the female lead. She was clever and frankly hilarious. I loved some of her reactions to the most simple things. It shows just how normal she is, she wanted all the things that she hadn't been able to have while working for the IPCA. Evie was very lonely and sad some of the time but those human emotions are what a lot of Young Adult books miss. Lend was also a really good character. He was a normal teenager like Evie except he actually has had all the thing's Evie missed. He was an awesome contrast to Evie and their characters fit together so well. Other characters like Lish and Raquel  were so well developed you began to get to know them individually even though they weren't in the book that often. One character I despised was Reth, the ex. He was a repulsive creature but at the same time he was intriguing so I suppose I can't fault the author on that.

Overall this book was fast paced with twists and turns that are so unexpected that they leave you thinking about them long after they've been and gone. It has a badass female lead so no disappointments there. This is a new favorite of mine and I'm about to log onto Amazon as we speak to get myself the second one. I would recommend this book to people who love a fast paced plot and a kickass heroine. Don't take my word for it? Just look at the amount of well known authors who love it, I was surprised there were so many!

My Favorite Quote (and trust me this is one of many!):

“Yes, I have a driver's license."

I leaned back against the wall, sighing. "Man, that must be so cool."

"It ranks right up there with lockers. In fact, sometimes I put my license inside my locker, and it's so cool I worry that the whole thing might explode with the sheer coolness of it all.” 

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Stacking The Shelves (3)

Stacking the shelves is hosted over at Tynga's Reviews. This week I bought seven books even though I haven't actually read any of the others I bought last week. I really do need to stop buying books, I have officially completely run out of space.


Bought:

I'm excited to read Hallowed since I absolutely loved the first book, Unearthly. 

Everneath is my Random Read this month and how could have I not bought it with such a stunning cover? I may have bought it because of that alone. 

       

I have been waiting to read Forbidden for a long time and I saw it in the shop and had to get it. 

My friend has been going on at me to read Starcrossed for ages so I got that at the same time.

       

I bought Unravelling because somehow reading the blurb pulled me in, a countdown to save the world? I needed to know what happens. 

I've seen Paranormalcy around about and thought it was about time I had a look at it.

I haven't ever wanted to read Memoirs Of A Geisha but it had been in a charity shop I went to for months and I felt sorry for it so I bought it and it doesn't look too bad. Plus it was less than a pound which is always a good thing.

So what did you get? Are your shelves as full as mine?
Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK