Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler

Rage
Jackie Morse Kessler
Publisher: Harcourt Graphia
Release Date: April 4, 2011
Pages: 213

Rating: 4 stars

Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different.

That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a new kind of blade—a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control.

A unique approach to the topic of self-mutilation, Rage is the story of a young woman who discovers her own power and refuses to be defeated by the world.

I was not super crazy about the first book in this series, Hunger, so I was not originally going to read this one. I was talking books with Kristen, and she told me that Death has a much bigger role in this one. When I heard that, I was sold as I adored Death in Hunger, and wanted to see a lot more of him as a character. What I found in Rage was everything I had been hoping for in Hunger and was really just blown away by this one!

I really liked Missy as a narrator. Her character was really rounded out and I thought she had a really interesting story to tell. I would just like to take a moment and say that sister Sue was just a, pardon my language, bitch! She was so horrible! I love Death - he is my favorite character in this series. He is hilarious! I cannot get enough of him, and I was happy that Death was very much more present in this one!

This series is just so fascinating to me. I love what Jackie Morse Kessler has done with the Horsemen of the Apocalypse - it is just so interesting. I never can guess where the story is going to go. I had a bit of an issue in the first book with the story not being explained enough, but everything was very much fleshed out in this one. The book was longer and it had time for the story to grow.

I cannot wait to read Loss, the next book. I cannot wait to see where the story goes. I'm curious to see more from Pestilence as he was quite the character. Rage was everything I had been hoping for for this series and I really enjoyed it.

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test
Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 18, 2011
Pages: 293

Rating 4.5 stars

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 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 Goddess Test was an absolutely refreshing read with a new twist on mythology that I absolutely devoured! This was a spectacular debut, and I am very excited to see more from Aimee Carter in the future.

Mythology is a topic that in my opinion can never be written about enough, and Aimee Carter has written a series that is so charming and delightful. Her take on mythology was a lot of fun to read about, as I could never guess where the plot was going to lead Kate.

I really liked Kate. The one thing about her that drove me nuts was her fixation on the fact that Ava's death was her fault. Clearly when the mean girl does what she knows best and instead dies for it, it is not your fault. Everything else about her - I really liked her voice. I have to say I felt that Ava failed at the being the mean girl for the most part. Henry was a really great character - I didn't like him as much in the beginning, but as Kate grew to know him, I liked his character more and more.

This book ended way too soon. I was getting more and more involved with the story, and then it ended. I was really sad. I guess it's kind of a good thing I waited until now to read it, since now I only have to wait three months instead of eleven. Moving past that, the ending was a ton of fun. I knew something was going to have to happen, but I wasn't exactly sure how that something would. There were so many shocks and surprises and it was just a whole lot of fun.

This is a book I would recommend to all. I read it in 2 hours and just couldn't put it down. I am very excited for book 2, Goddess Interrupted. The Goddess Test was a book with a twisty plot and a great cast of characters all wrapped up in a fabulous debut.

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Fury
Elizabeth Miles
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: August 30, 2011
Pages: 370

Rating: 4.5 stars

Sometimes sorry isn't enough.... 

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.
On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed. 

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay. 

Em and Chase have been chosen.

I love the mythology behind The Furies - they've appeared in books I've read before, but this was by far the best story I've read that involved them! I had a few issues with it, but overall all it was a stellar read and a fabulous debut.

I thought the plot was super creative. My biggest issue was how soon Em was "marked". She had barely done anything, and while she had gone on to do slightly worse things, I still didn't quite get why she was picked. Especially when her partner in crime was the one who actually did the cheating. Besides that, I really enjoyed the book. I loved seeing what would happen next and what characters would get drawn into what. I also would have loved to see more of an appearance from the Furies more towards the beginning of the book, they showed up more towards the middle to the end, and mainly in the case of Chase.

I also loved that the book is told in alternating perspectives - between Em and Chase. Books that do this are my absolute favorite, and it really worked well for Fury.

The characters were such a fun mix. I loved JD - he was such a fun character, and I hope to see more of him in the future books in the trilogy. Em and Chase were my other 2 favorites. Both were just great characters, and while they were very different from one another, I liked them both for their differences. All the characters had some sort of flaw, which made them that much more real.

I would really recommend this one! Fury takes such curious mythology and spins it into a haunting modern day tale! It was a great debut, and I simply cannot wait to hear more from Elizabeth Miles!

Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2)
Jennifer Estep
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: November 29, 2011
Pages: 368

Rating: 5 stars

Logan Quinn was try­ing to kill me. My Spar­tan class­mate relent­lessly pur­sued me, swing­ing his sword at me over and over again, the shin­ing sil­ver blade inch­ing closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes prac­ti­cally glowed with the thrill of battle...


I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart — the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword — with Logan’s help — I just might die by the sword …

This series is seriously about my new favorite thing ever! I was blown away by book 1, and Kiss of Frost was just as brilliant. The action builds, the characters develop more, and the story just gets better and better!

I don't think I could criticize this book one bit. With Touch of Frost, my one issue was I wish the mythology of some of the different people and the types of warriors was explained a bit more upfront. From that book and the entirety of this one, I feel like everything has been perfectly explained.

The characters are wonderful. I super love Logan. No matter what he does he is just wonderful. Kiss of Frost introduces a lot more characters, and they are all a bunch of fun. Gwen develops a lot more in this book, as she is becoming more and more comfortable at Mythos and I really liked Gwen in this book. Vic is another great character, especially since he's so unique.

I love the plot, it is not easy to peg down who is behind what. I have my suspicions, but they're constantly changing as to who I suspect so it's a ton of fun. The action in this one is intense!

The ending is so cruel. The book just builds and builds, up to this massively awesome high point, and the book ends. I turned the page, and there was nothing. I am SO excited for Dark Frost now though! I am quite literally counting down the days.

This book is a must read. The series is just marvelous, and I love all the different elements it contains. Nothing is ever the same, and I love the mythology. I really need to make a point to read the rest of Jennifer Estep's books one of these days!

Interview with Kersten Hamilton

I am super excited to have Kersten Hamilton by the blog today for an interview! Kersten Hamilton is the author of Tyger, Tyger and in the Forests of the Night. You can find her on the web at her website.

If the characters from In the Forests of the Night got stuck on a deserted island, who would fare the best? The worst? And who would be the one to get them off the island?

Gil would fare the best. He’ll eat anything, after all! Abby wouldn’t do well at all, I’m afraid. Her constant talking would drive Finn to super human efforts—he’d swear to get them off the island, even if he had to walk on water to do it! Mamieo would keep them sane by telling stories of the peregrine, wandering Irish monks who set out in small ships to explore the world. Aiden and Lennie wouldn’t want to leave—they’d be reenacting scenes from The Swiss Family Robinson. Mr. Wylltson would need to get back to his books. Thomas and Roisin would be lost in one another’s eyes….and Teagan, when she wasn’t studying the fauna, or kissing Finn, would be thinking her way out of the situation. In the end, it would take them all to get off the island.

Do you have a favorite mythological story or tale?

I really love the Finnian Cycle – the stories of Fionn Mac Cumhaill. I like Beowulf, too. But my favorites are the stories of the Nordic heroes who fought monsters knowing at Ragnarok was coming—because fighting monsters is the right and courageous thing to do even if you know you are going to lose.

If you could be any paranormal creature, what would it be?

A phoenix. I think the ability to burn up and rise again is absolutely a must for a writer.

Is there a book that is out now that you wish you had had growing up?

No. I know that’s funny to say, but I had so many books to read as a child I couldn’t have finished any more. I’m very happy that I still read children’s books today, though. I wouldn’t want to miss a single one!

Who was your favorite character to write in In the Forests of the Night?

Teagan. This time it was Teagan. She changes and grows so much in the story. All of the stuff that I have known was inside her starts to come out where the reader can see it.

Through your many jobs you had before settling down and eventually writing, did you have a favorite?

I liked being a wilderness guide the best. I loved the wilderness, the horses and the camping. And the best time of all was when I was alone on the mountain.  


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Thanks for stopping by Kersten! You can find Kersten on the web at her website and twitter. Also, make sure to check out the awesome Trailer Contest she is hosting for In the Forests of The Night. 

In the Forests of the Night by Kersten Hamilton

In the Forests of the Night
Kersten Hamillton
Publisher: Clarion Books
Release Date: November 22, 2011
Pages: 288

Rating: 4.5 stars

The battle against goblinkind continues . . . but which side will Teagan be on?

Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man’s forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Tea’s goblin cousins show up at her school, sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive once awoken. Soon she will belong to Fear Doirich and join them. In the meantime, they are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Tea’s family and friends. Tea knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her. But as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich. And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win.

Kersten Hamilton is a genius. In the Forests of the Night was a brilliant read that picked up right where Tyger, Tyger left off and I did not want to put it down.The mythology goes deeper and the characters are just as fabulous. In the Forests of the Night will be a book that you will be sorry to miss, as it is just fabulous.

The characters of this series is just brilliant. I just love Finn - he is so dreamy. I love his accent. Aiden is such a fun character - I love the larger roles he plays in this book. He is so good-hearted and it is just great. Teagan is a great character and I love that she is a strong main character. I did have a bit of a lapse of judgement in her character for part of the book, but I felt she redeemed herself. There were so many characters who had a smaller role, but they were so memorable and I can't wait to see the role they'll play in the next book in the series.

I love the plot of In the Forests of the Night. I just love the role the mythology plays in the books. In the Forests of the Night had so many layers to it, besides the obvious play arc. The story builds and builds and at the end I was left so curious and anxious to see how the story continues. The ending was intense, and I am very antsy for the next book to come out.

In the Forests of the Night was just brilliant, I think even better than Tyger, Tyger which I absolutely adored. This is one that I would  recommend you rush out and get as soon as you can, as it is just brilliant.

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Sweet Venom
Tera Lynn Childs
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher

Rating: 4.5 stars

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.


Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.


Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.


These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

Sweet Venom was a book I was highly anticipating – Greek mythology is one of my favorite topics, so a modern tale with elements of mythology had me super excited.  With its original spin on mythology and its epic plot, Sweet Venom is another amazing book from Tera Lynn Childs.

The three sisters idea was so unique, and Tera Lynn Childs tells Sweet Venom’s tale through alternating points of views between the three sisters. I found myself definitely favoring Grace’s point of view best, I think she is my favorite of the three sisters. She was definitely the most likable!

The characters in Sweet Venom were a lot of fun – particularly Nick and Thane. I thought those 2 were just complete riots, and I absolutely loved scenes they were in.

The twist Tera Lynn Childs put on mythology was absolutely fascinating, and that in itself had me locked into the book, not even taking into account the plot and other happenings. I loved learning about the girls and their destiny, but also the world and the rules that went along with it.

I am so excited for book 2 after this one! The way the book ended has me super excited to see where the story will go. That aside, I really would have liked a little more closure with this book – I feel like there was a lot of questions, but not as many answers as I would have liked.

Sweet Venom was a brilliant read.  I was simply engulfed in Gretchen, Grace, and Greer’s world and read straight through the book. It was simply another wonderful read, and I would recommend it to all. 

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1)
Jennifer Estep
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Pages: 350

Rating: 5 stars

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.
 
But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .

Oh my gosh, I loved this book. I loved this book. I loved this book. It was absolutely brilliant in every way. I simply couldn't put it down. I read it over 2 days, and when I wasn't reading it I was trying to find a way to pick it up again to sneak in a few more pages.

The plot was so fun. Upon my starting the book, I was thinking the plot might be a bit cliched. The new girl is the outsider, doesn't fit in, etc etc. I was really wrong. There was so much more, and it was completely original. I loved the involvement of mythology, though I do wish Estep had spelled out a bit more her definition of say the Spartans or the Valkyrie, because I've heard so many stories about all of them so they all very in my mind. I loved the magic and action - I can't wait for more of that.

The characters were a lot of fun. Gwen was a super fun character, and she really kept growing as a character throughout the book as well.  Grandma Frost was totally awesome, she was probably my favorite character. Professor Metis was also pretty cool - she was pretty serious, but she did little things that would strike me at quite hilarious. I loved Logan, you definitely couldn't not help but to fall for him.

Something super fabulous that I loved about Touch of Frost is that it tied up nicely the big gaping plot questions from this book, then left a few strings unanswered for the next book.

I simply cannot wait to read book 2, Kiss of Frost. I am SUPER happy it is a December release, as that is not such a painfully awful wait, just slightly painful.

Touch of Frost is an absolute must read. Like one of those books where you rush off your couch to the nearest store and read it ASAP. It is in my top books for the year, and has earned a slot on my all-time favorites shelf! I am so excited to come back to Gwen's world in book 2 and see where Estep will take her story.

Cover Rating: B  - I'm not a super fan of the expression on the girls face, but the building and castle and the words are pretty sweet I think.

Abandon by Meg Cabot

Abandon (Abandon #1)
Meg Cabot
Publisher: Point
Release Date: April 26, 2011
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher

Rating: 5 stars

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

Oh my gosh was this book absolutely fantabulous! I am absolutely fascinated by mythology, and I love even more the modern takes on the myths and seeing how authors make them their own and tweak them. Abandon was one of the best books based on mythology I have read in a long time. I haven't read a Meg Cabot book in quite awhile, and after finishing Abandon it makes me wonder why I was crazy enough not to pick up Abandon the day it came out!

I loved the plot. It was so fun to see where the story would go next. Meg Cabot did a really great job of posing all these questions that the readers would want answer, and would actually answer most of them. There were a lot of twists and turns that I really would not have guessed would be coming.

The characters were great. I really liked Pierce, I thought she was a really great character. I couldn't help but to love John. I really hope that Richard Smith makes an appearance in the next book as he was a really cool guy. He just had so much enthusiasm. I'm also looking forward to seeing more Alex, Kayla, and Uncle Chris in the next book. I thought all three were quite interesting, and didn't get enough of them in this book.

The end was so good, but oh so bad, as it meant waiting a year until the next book would be out. It is a bit of a cliff hanger ending, but it is absolutely adorable. The lead up to end is simply unpredictable. I am really excited to see where Meg Cabot goes with the next book in the trilogy, Underworld. Wherever she takes Pierce and John, I am sure it will be fabulous.

Also, can you say cover love? Abandon's cover is just so gorgeous! The picture, the design, the lettering -everything. Abandon is a must read. It's a book that everyone should drop everything and run and get. I have yet to read anything by Meg Cabot I haven't liked, but Abandon definitely was my favorite by her thus far.

Cupidity by Caroline Goode

Cupidity
Caroline Goode
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: December 28th, 2004
Pages: 288
Source: Bought

Rating: 3 stars

Dating in high school is like reality TV. It can get pretty surreal.



Between the strict social ladder (geeks' lockers left, jocks' to the right), and silly, pointless rules (no hand-holding, no kissing, no breathing!), high school is the single worst place to find a boyfriend. And Laura Sweeney is no exception. She hasn't had a date since...well, ever.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. So Laura is calling in the big guns. She needs guidance. A proven "get the guy" strategy. Luckily she knows exactly the expert to call. He's a matchmaking mastermind who actually has the bow and arrow to prove it. Let's just call him...Cupid.

The Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies are always such great reads! Cupidity was no exception, and I found myself loving the story. I love mythology, so finding books that incorporate it is a ton of fun.

The characters were very real in Cupidity. I found it very easy to connect with them. While the plot was a bit corny, it was still fun to read about.

I suggest Cupidity, and all the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies. The story is a bit cheesy, but it is fun to read anyways.

Troy High by Shana Norris

Troy High
Shana Norris
Release Date: August 1, 2009
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 256

Rating: 4 stars

Homer’s Iliad, the classic tale of love and revenge, is shrewdly retold for teens in Troy High.

Narrated by Cassie, a shy outsider who fears that an epic high school rivalry is about to go up in flames, the story follows the Trojans and Spartans as they declare war on the football field. After the beautiful Elena—who used to be the captain of the Spartan cheerleaders—transfers to Troy High and falls madly in love with Cassie’s brother Perry, the Spartans vow that the annual homecoming game will never be forgotten.

The Trojans and Spartans pull wicked pranks on each other as homecoming approaches. And the Spartans’ wildcard football star, Ackley, promises to take down the Trojans’ offensive line. But the stakes are raised when Cassie is forced to choose between the boy she loves (a Spartan) and loyalty to her family and school. Troy High will seduce readers with its incendiary cast of mythic proportions.

This was a great modern day retelling of The Illiad. I'm a total sucker for Greek Mythology, but to write good retellings of Greek Mythology is hard, and this one did not let me down. I pretty much read straight through in a couple of hours. It was totally original, and will appeal to different groups of readers. Troy High was smart and well-written.

The characters were fitting. Cassie, the narrator of the story, is the only one with her head on straight, seeing the stupidity of everyone around her. She was easily my favorite character, probably for the reason stated above. The rest of the characters have the sole focus of kill the other side, and it did get a bit old at times. Cassie and Greg were so oblivious to the other, which drove me nuts! But once again, I think that was part of their charm. All the characters fit nicely together to the whole story. I really like the cover. It totally fits the story, as Elena is the girl responsible for everything.