Review: Tainted (Broken #2) by A.E. Rought

Title: Tainted

Series: Broken #2

Previous book in this series: Broken

Author: A.E. Rought

Genre: YA, paranormal, retelling

Publication date: October 2013

Published by: Strange Chemistry

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

Alex Franks believes the madness is behind them. With Ascension Labs under his direction and the forces threatening Emma's life overcome, they have a chance at a normal life, and keeping his secrets safely buried. But a shadow rises from Alex’s past, and she wants him back. Criminally brilliant, Hailey Westmore will stop at nothing to claim the boy she was meant to be with.

Without warning, Emma Gentry finds she cannot trust anything. Not her mind, her memory, not even herself. Tragic events and unexpected deaths stalk Alex and Emma, testing them in ways they would never imagine, and may not survive. Alex carries a new secret, and a horrifying guilt that Hailey uses to her advantage.

Emma’s life and sanity hang in the balance, and Alex may have created a monster...

My rating: ★★★☆☆
I remember really loving Broken, the first book, so I was very excited to start this! But, unfortunately, this ended up being kind of meh.

Review: The Dead Boyfriend (Fear Street Relaunch #5) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Dead Boyfriend

Series: Fear Street Relaunch #5

Previous books in the relaunch: Party Games (#1) | Don't Stay Up Late (#2) | The Lost Girl (#3) | Can You Keep a Secret? (#4) (can be read as standalones)

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: September 2016

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

R.L. Stine's Fear Street series is back, and in The Dead Boyfriend, he tells the frightening tale of teenage love - and how it can go terribly, murderously wrong.

Caitlin has never had a real boyfriend before. When she starts seeing Colin, she throws herself into the relationship with fervor. She ignores her friends who warn her that Colin may be a phony and that she is taking the whole thing too seriously. Caitlin is smitten. She doesn't care if she loses her friends. All she wants is Colin. When Caitlin approaches Colin with another girl, she completely loses it. She snaps. Everything goes red. When she comes back to her senses, she realizes that Colin is dead - and she has killed him.

But if Colin is dead, how is he staring at her across a crowded party?

My rating: ★★★☆☆
The Dead Boyfriend has such a gorgeous cover and when I first heard about it, I thought it sounded amazing! Plus, it’s freaking Fear Street! I had high hopes for this one, though I don’t know why since the relaunch, overall, has been pretty meh.

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop!

Happy Holidays everyone! Here's a giveaway!

Review: Can You Keep a Secret? (Fear Street Relaunch #4) by R.L. Stine

Title: Can You Keep a Secret?

Series: Fear Street Relaunch #4

Previous books in the relaunch: Party Games (#1) | Don't Stay Up Late (#2) | The Lost Girl (#3) (can be read as standalones)

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: April 2016

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

How many nightmares begin in the Fear Street Woods?

Eddie and Emma are high school sweethearts from the wrong side of the tracks. Looking for an escape from their dreary lives, they embark on an overnight camping trip with four friends in the Fear Street Woods.

As Eddie carves a heart in a tree, he and Emma make a shocking discovery. It’s a discovery that will lead to the end of friendships—and to murder.

Meanwhile, Emmy is having strange, terrifying dreams about wolves. Are her dreams connected somehow to the real wolf attacks that plague the town of Shadyside?

Emmy, it seems, is about to make a horrifying discovery about herself…

My rating: ★★★★☆
So Can You Keep a Secret? had two sort of intertwined storylines going on at once: First, we got the discovery of a briefcase full of money that was hidden in the Fear Street Woods. Then we have Emma and her strange dreams starring wolves. Also, people around town are turning up dead, being mauled by an animal. A wolf maybe? Coincidence? Who know, but Emma is totally freaked out!

Review: Mania (The Night Walkers #3) by J.R. Johansson

Title: Mania

Series: The Night Walkers #3

Previous book in this series: Insomnia (#1) | Paranoia (#2)

Author: J.R. Johansson

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: July 2015

Published by: Flux

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

Jack and his half-brother Parker have no time to mourn the loss of their father, Daniel Chipp. With an attack by the body-stealing Takers imminent, the pair must put aside their grief and track down the ingredients of Daniel’s formula—one that will rein in the power-hungry Takers—to keep their family and friends out of danger.

Their only hope lies in a puzzle their father left behind, a riddle where each brother unknowingly possesses a piece of the solution. The puzzle sets them on a deadly path, spiraling between reality and the world of dreams where nothing and no one can be trusted entirely. And when Parker finds himself deep in the fray between the Takers and the other Night Walkers, it’s up to Jack to complete the formula and save his brother’s life.

My rating: ★★★★☆
Mania was so awesome! It was and action-packed thriller with a whole lot of insane experiments and crazy powers and the imminent war between the Night Walkers... so exciting! I loved the concept of this series and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about where these powers came from. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but the origins of their powers reminds me of a Creepypasta called The Russian Sleep Experiment, which is one of my favorite short horror stories! I highly recommend that one!

Review: Sisters of Blood and Spirit by Kady Cross

Title: Sisters of Blood and Spirit

Series: Sisters of Blood and Spirit #1

Author: Kady Cross

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, paranormal

Publication date: March 2015

Published by: Harlequin Teen

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

Wren Noble is dead—she was born that way. Vibrant, unlike other dead things, she craves those rare moments when her twin sister allows her to step inside her body and experience the world of the living.

Lark Noble is alive but often feels she belongs in the muted Shadow Lands—the realm of the dead. Known as the crazy girl who talks to her dead sister, she doesn't exactly fit in with the living, though a recent suicide attempt and time in a psych ward have proved to her she's not ready to join her sister in the afterlife.

Now the guy who saved Lark's life needs her to repay the favor. He and his friends have been marked for death by the malevolent spirit of a vicious and long-dead serial killer, and the twins—who should know better than to mess with the dead—may be their only hope of staying alive.

My rating: ★★★★★
I loved the premise of this book! The crazy girl with the dead twin sister who talks to her + friends cursed by some other evil ghost... um, yes please! I just love ghost stories! But beyond that, I loved the characters in this book, their backstories and their interactions. I particularly loved the dynamic between Mace and Lark. Once upon a time, Mace saved Lark from herself, now Lark must save Mace and his friends from this terrible curse. I totally shipped these two from the beginning... it’s a shame he already had a girlfriend ;) But, okay, I also really liked Ben ;) And the sisterly relationship between Lark and Wren was also great! It’s quite a unique situation they’re in.

Review: The Assassin Game by Kirsty McKay

Title: The Assassin Game

Author: Kirsty McKay

Genre: YA, mystery thriller

Publication date: August 2016

Published by: Sourcebooks Fire

Source: For review by publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

Who will be left after lights out?

Tag, you’re it…

It’s 4:00 a.m. when they come for me. I am already awake, strung out on the fear that they will come, and the fear that they won’t. When I finally hear the click of the latch on the dormitory door, I have only a second to brace myself before—

At Cate's isolated boarding school, Killer is more than a game—it’s an elite secret society. Members must avoid being “Killed” during a series of thrilling pranks, and only the Game Master knows who the “Killer” is. When Cate’s finally invited to join the Assassins’ Guild, she know it’s her ticket to finally feeling like she belongs.

But when the game becomes all too real, the school threatens to shut it down. Cate will do anything to keep playing and save the Guild. But can she find the real assassin before she’s the next target?

My rating: ★★★★☆
I loved this author’s other series, Undead, but the funny thing is that I didn’t even realize it was the same author, not until I actually got this book in my hands! Lol. Finding out I’ve read and loved one of this author’s series made me even more excited to read this! And overall, I really liked it!

Review: Bright Blaze of Magic (Black Blade #3) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Bright Blaze of Magic

Series: Black Blade #3

Previous books in this series: Cold Burn of Magic (#1) | Dark Heart of Magic (#2)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: April 2016

Published by: Kensington

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

Bad Things Always Come In Threes…

As a thief, I'm good at three things: hiding in the shadows, getting in and out unseen, and uncovering secrets. I put these skills to work for the Sinclair Family, one of the magical mobs that run the tourist town of Cloudburst Falls.

Everyone knows Victor Draconi wants to take over all the other Families--and kill every last Sinclair. What they don't know is that I'm on to him, and no way will I let the man who murdered my mom get away with hurting all the other people I care about. Especially when I've got places to break into, stuff to steal, and Devon Sinclair fighting right by my side…

My rating: ★★★★★
I adore Jennifer’s work and am incredibly sad that this series has come to an end. But, at the same time I was also very excited start it and find out how it ends.

Review: Maze of Souls (Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #6) by J.L. Bryan

Title: Maze of Souls

Series: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #6

Previous books in this series: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper (#1) | Cold Shadows (#2) | The Crawling Darkness (#3) | Terminal (#4) | House of Whispers #5

Author: J.L. Bryan

Genre: Adult, paranormal, horror

Publication date: February 2016

Published by: J.L. Bryan

Source: For review from author

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Synopsis:

It's October, and down at newly opened Pine Hollow Farm, the ghosts are running wild!. This “genuine” old-time family farm offers a big heap of fun fall activities. You can drink cider fresh from the orchard, enter a pumpkin-carving contest, and explore the five-acre corn maze. At night, if you aren't too scared, join the haunted hayride through the woods, featuring a genuine eighteenth-century cemetery. According to local legend, the ghost of a horseman has ridden the old dirt road through the woods for nearly two centuries, menacing travelers. Hayriders beware!

Then the real ghosts start to come out, threatening visitors to the farm and the family who live there. Paranormal detective Ellie Jordan travels out to the remote farm to root out the dangerous spirits. Ellie and her assistant Stacey must move fast, because the night is coming when all ghosts will be at full strength and free to roam—the night of Halloween.

My rating: ★★★★☆
I love a good ghost hunt, and Maze of Souls was as great as the previous books in the series! I really loved the setting and atmosphere of this one. I just love Halloween, okay? Lol. It’s one of the aspects that made this book awesome!

Review: House of Whispers (Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #5) by J.L. Bryan

Title: House of Whispers

Series: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #5

Previous books in this series: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper (#1) | Cold Shadows (#2) | The Crawling Darkness (#3) | Terminal (#4)

Author: J.L. Bryan

Genre: Adult, paranormal, horror

Publication date: October 2015

Published by: J.L. Bryan

Source: For review from author

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Synopsis:

The luxurious Lathrop Grand Hotel is a Savannah institution that has entertained guests for more than a century and a half, offering some of the finest accommodations in the city. Famously haunted, the hotel draws tourists from around the world eager to encounter its numerous ghosts. The hotel is also known for being honeycombed with hidden doors and secret passages, enabling staff to appear and disappear quickly as they attend to the hotel's guests.

Now some of the spirits in the Lathrop Grand have turned violent, even murderous. Ellie and Stacey must determine which ghost has become dangerous and remove it from the hotel before it can claim any more lives. They soon learn the hotel has secrets even darker than the notorious string of nineteenth-century murders that made it famous, and the powerful entities inhabiting it don't intend to leave without a fight.

My rating: ★★★★★
Ah, Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper, one of my favorite ghostly series! I love all things ghosts/ghost stories! This is just so great! And the stakes are raised higher and higher in each book, and I just love that about this series!

Review: Relentless (The Hero Agenda #2) by Tera Lynn Childs & Tracy Deebs

Title: Relentless

Series: The Hero Agenda #2

Previous book in this series: Powerless

Author: Tera Lynn Childs & Tracy Deebs

Genre: YA, paranormal, superheroes

Publication date: June 2016

Published by: Sourcebooks Fire

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

Revenge is easy, but justice is worth fighting for…

Kenna is tired of being lied to—and hunted by the very allies she once trusted. Unearthing the dark secrets of the superhero world has not only endangered her life, now her boyfriend faces execution for crimes he didn’t commit and her mother is being held captive in a secret governmental prison.

Kenna is determined to stand up for what’s right and save those she loves from unspeakable fates. It’s time for the betrayal to end. It’s time for the real criminals to face justice.

But the truth is even more terrifying than Kenna could imagine. A conspiracy threatens the fate of heroes, villains, and all of humanity. If Kenna’s going to survive, she must draw on her deepest strength: her resilience. Because when Kenna’s pushed to the limit, she doesn’t break down. She fights back.

My rating: ★★★★★
Everything Kenna’s known is a lie. With lying, awful heroes and surprisingly good-hearted villains, her world has been turned upside down. And it only gets worse: her mother was kidnapped, her best friend brainwashed, and her boyfriend is on trial. Now it’s up to Kenna and the rest of the villains to save them from the heroes she once trusted and bring them down for good.

Review: Powerless (The Hero Agenda #1) by Tera Lynn Childs & Tracy Deebs

Title: Powerless

Series: The Hero Agenda #1

Author: Tera Lynn Childs & Tracy Deebs

Genre: YA, paranormal, superheroes

Publication date: June 2015

Published by: Sourcebooks Fire

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

Kenna is tired of being "normal". The only thing special about her is that she isn't special at all. Which is frustrating in a world of absolutes. Villains, like the one who killed her father, are bad. Heroes, like her mother and best friend, are good. And Kenna, unlike everyone else around her, is completely ordinary— which she hates.

She’s secretly working on an experiment that will land her a place among the Heroes, but when a Villain saves her life during a break-in at her lab, Kenna discovers there’s a whole lot of gray area when it comes to good and evil and who she can trust.. After all…not all strength comes from superpowers.

My rating: ★★★★★
If you know me at all, you know that I love superheroes. I pretty much watch all the superhero shows out there at the moment. And Marvel? Well...

Sunday Post #108: My Bank Card was Cancelled Due to Black Friday!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: Practical Applications for Multiverse Theory by Nick Scott & Noa Gavin

Title: Practical Applications for Multiverse Theory

Author: Nick Scott & Noa Gavin

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: April 2016

Published by: Inkshares

Source: For review from publisher via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

Scott's teacher is a demon. She wasn't always like this. Mid-way through the class, between Scott looking from the board to his paper and back again, she transformed into a hell-creature bent on killing Scott. Meanwhile Davey watches the janitor turn into a sloth a sloth who wears a cowboy hat and chaps that read, "Slow Ride."

Things aren't going well. Something's gone wrong. Things that shouldn't be in this universe are sliding in and taking root here. People who should be here are gone, transformed into something else. Some are dying. Some are on fire. Some can unhinge their jaws and absorb their crushes via their tooth-lined throats.

Scott and Davey are the only ones who are aware of this, who can see it happening. They're the only ones who can do anything about this, apparently. But they're only armed with school supplies and a deep-seated hatred of one another."

My rating: ★★★★★

Holy sh*t! This book was freaking amazing! Practical Applications for Multiverse Theory was a lot of fun, action-packed, and just perfect!

Review: Opening the Veil (New Sight #1) by C.L. Clark

Title: Opening the Veil

Series: New Sight #1

Author: C.L. Clark

Genre: YA, paranormal, mystery

Publication date: March 2015

Published by: C.L. Clark

Source: E-book for review from author

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Synopsis:

When Cassie agrees to go on a date with her gorgeous new neighbor, she doesn’t expect the night to end with a glimpse into eternity. Within twenty-four hours she discovers not only are young women being brutally murdered around her beloved town, but an ancient evil is using her new neighbor like a puppet to do the killing. Knowing the police won’t believe her without solid proof, she makes it her mission to find the evidence they need. Add to that how her cat has started talking to her, along with seeing ghosts around town, and it’s no surprise that she’s beginning to question her sanity.

This is the first book in the New Sight Series - paranormal series about a young woman whose eyes are opened to the hidden world around her and her compulsion to help the dead seek answers and justice.

Imaginatively entertaining with light humor and a quickening pace, C. L. Clark’s interesting new twist on paranormal fantasy is a book series that readers will not want to pass up.

My rating: ★★★★☆
Opening the Veil had a very intriguing story--I always love a good murder mystery! And this one, it has a supernatural twist to it... YES! It kept me hooked from page one!

Gratitude Giveaway Hop!

I cannot believe we're already halfway through November! Jeez! Hey, how about some books? ;)

Monthly Wrap-Up: October 2016

I can't believe October is over *cries* But that also means we are getting into the holidays which means it's getting close to my vacation time, YES!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #81: This is Halloween!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.

[Images take you to books' Goodreads page!]

Sunday Post #107: Watching ALL the Halloween Movies!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!

Yay! My favorite time of year! Do you guys love Halloween and/or Fall as much as me?

Anyway, to celebrate, I'm giving away some spooky books!

Sunday Post #106

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Sunday Post #105: Binge Watching Stuff!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Monthly Wrap-Up: September 2016

It's October, YES! This is my favorite time of year! From here to December... I just love it! Yay! :D

Review: Demigods & Magicians (Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover #1-3) by Rick Riordan

Title: Demigods & Magicians

Series: Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover #1-3 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians | The Heroes of Olympus | The Kane Chronicles

Novellas in this book: The Son of Sobek (#1) | The Staff of Serapis (#2) | The Crown of Ptolemy (#3)

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Middle Grade, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Egyptian mythology

Publication date: April 2016

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Own hardcover

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Synopsis:

Magic, monsters, and mayhem abound when Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase meet Carter and Sadie Kane for the first time. Weird creatures are appearing in unexpected places, and the demigods and magicians have to team up to take them down. As they battle with Celestial Bronze and glowing hieroglyphs, the four heroes find that they have a lot in common--and more power than they ever thought possible. But will their combined forces be enough to foil an ancient enemy who is mixing Greek and Egyptian incantations for an evil purpose? Rick Riordan wields his usual storytelling magic in this adrenaline-fueled adventure.

My rating: ★★★★★

First of all, yes, I do own each individual e-book plus this physical copy of the book that bundles together all three stories :)

Review: My Fairly Dangerous Godmother (My Fair Godmother #3) by Janette Rallison

Title: My Fairly Dangerous Godmother

Series: My Fair Godmother #3

Previous books in this series: My Fair Godmother (#1) | My Unfair Godmother (#2)

Author: Janette Rallison

Genre: YA, fantasy, fairy tale retelling

Publication date: April 2015

Published by: Rally Point Press

Source: Own e-book

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Synopsis:

Some people bomb auditions. Sadie Ramirez throws up during her tryouts on TV show America's Top Talent. Her performance is so bad, it earns her a fairy godmother through the Magical Alliance's Pitiful Damsel Outreach Program. Enter Chrysanthemum Everstar: a gum-chewing, cell phone-carrying, high heel wearing fairy godmother in training. She misinterprets Sadie's wishes and sends her back in time to be a part of The Little Mermaid story and then makes her one of the twelve dancing princesses. Wishes are permanent, and if Sadie wants to get back to her home, she'll have to strike a magical bargain--one that involves stealing a goblet from a powerful fairy queen.

My rating: ★★★★★
I love this series SO much! And Chrissy too! The crazy, astonishingly-bad-at-her-job fairy godmother. Like I’ve said before, teens will be teens whether they are supernatural creatures or not. Lol. But, gods! She can actually be frustrating sometimes with how wrong she can get the wishes! It’s ridiculous, really. Ridiculously fun! Haha.

Sunday Post #104: A Cure Worse Than The Illness

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover #3) by Rick Riordan

Title: The Crown of Ptolemy

Series: Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover #3 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians | The Heroes of Olympus | The Kane Chronicles

Previous novellas in this series: The Son of Sobek (#1) | The Staff of Serapis (#2)

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Middle Grade, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Egyptian mythology

Publication date: May 2015

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Own e-book

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Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

In their first encounter, demigod Percy Jackson and magician Carter Kane had to battle a giant crocodile on Long Island. A month later, Annabeth Chase ran into Carter's sister, Sadie, on the A train to Rockaway, where the pair fought a god named Serapis. Now trouble is brewing again, this time on Governor's Island. An ancient Egyptian magician named Setne has come back from the dead and is experimenting with Egyptian and Greek magic, trying to become a god himself. He's so powerful and tricky that all four-Percy, Annabeth, Carter, and Sadie-have to team up against him. But their usual weapons and spells aren't going to cut it this time. Will the heroes be taken down by a wannabe god who looks like Elvis, or will they rise to the challenge?

Told from Percy's point of view, this third demigod-magician crossover story has all of the spunk and action that Rick Riordan fans crave.

My rating: ★★★★★
This whole crossover was so epic that it felt like it could’ve been a whole series on it’s own, it was certainly complex enough. But at the same time, it was SO perfect just as short stories. It makes no sense, I know, but it was just great!

Review: The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5) by Rick Riordan

Title: The Blood of Olympus

Series: The Heroes of Olympus #5

Previous books in this series: The Lost Hero (#1) | The Son of Neptune (#2) | The Mark of Athena (#3) | The House of Hades (#4)

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Middle Grade, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Roman mythology

Publication date: October 2014

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Own Hardcover

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Synopsis:

Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it "might" be able to stop a war between the two camps.

The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

My rating: ★★★★★
So, in this book, the demigods are trying to get the Athena Parthenos to Camp Half-Blood before all hell breaks loose and an all out war is started... all while trying to keep Gaea from waking up fully.

Sunday Post #103

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1) by Rick Riordan

Title: The Sword of Summer

Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Middle Grade, urban fantasy, Norse mythology

Publication date: October 2015

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Own Hardcover

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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die...

My rating: ★★★★★
Do I even need to mention that I loved this book? You all know Rick Riordan is my favorite author, so I doubt it ;) But I'm going to say it anyway, I LOVED it!! I loved the mythology! While Greek mythology is my favorite, really, I find all mythology interesting and am always up to learning more about them. As is the case with Norse mythology. I am a bit familiar but not nearly as much as I am with Greek mythology. Which is one of the things I love about this: you learn about mythology but in a fun way! I particularly love that we got into the more minor gods, because we all pretty much know about Thor and Loki, mostly thanks to Marvel (not that I’m complaining... even though the mythos in the MCU isn’t all that accurate to the classic Norse mythology).

Review: Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Title: Asylum

Series: Asylum #1

Author: Madeleine Roux

Genre: YA, horror, mystery

Publication date: August 2013

Published by: HarperTeen

Source: Library book

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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity.

My rating: ★★★★☆
The Good: This might be one of the first YA books I have read that had pictures in it, and I really liked it! Some of them were quite creepy! I also found the plot very interesting with all these grisly experiments that went on in the asylum... so much yes! Oh, and let's not forget about the fact that one of my favorite childhood shows was mentioned...

Sunday Post #102: Book Outlet Teddy Bear!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: Double, Double, Nothing But Trouble (Mellow Summers #10) by Janet McNulty

Title: Double, Double, Nothing But Trouble

Series: Mellow Summers #10

Previous books in this series: Sugar And Spice And Not So Nice (#1) | Frogs, Snails, And A Lot Of Wails (#2) | An Apple A Day Keeps Murder Away (#3) | Three Little Ghosts (#4) | Oh Holy Ghost (#5) | Where Trouble Roams (#6) | Two Ghosts Haunt A Grove (#7) | Trick Or Treat Or Murder? (#8) | Roses Are Red; He's Dead (#9)

Author: Janet McNulty

Genre: Adult, paranormal, cozy mystery

Publication date:

Published by: Janet McNulty

Source: Own e-book

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

Mel has just returned from her romantic getaway with Greg, but all is not well in the college town she lives in. When opening the Candle Shoppe the next morning, she finds that it has been ransacked, but nothing is missing. While investigating why someone would break into the store, but not take anything, Mel learns of a secret that goes back 20 years.

To add to her troubles, someone tries to murder Detective Shorts and an up and coming journalist, who does not believe in mediums or ghosts, plans on exposing Mel as a fraud.

Can Mel solve this head twister of a mystery, and save her reputation, before it claims her as well?

My rating: ★★★★★
I LOVE this series! It is SO addicting! I actually pretty much binge read all of this series because it was that amazing!

Review: The Lost Girl (Fear Street Relaunch #3) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Lost Girl

Series: Fear Street Relaunch

Previous books in the relaunch: Party Games (#1) | Don't Stay Up Late (#2) (can be read as standalones)

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: September 2015

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet

Synopsis:

There’s a new girl at Shadyside High, and she’s to die for...

Beautiful and mysterious, new student Lizzy Walker is the talk of Shadyside High. Where did she come from? Where does she live? No one knows anything about her, but everyone wants to find out. Michael finds himself drawn to her. He can’t stop thinking about her. But the closer he gets, the stranger she seems...

Michael invites Lizzy to join his group of friends on a day of fun in the snow, racing their snowmobiles through the woods. The day ends in a terrifying accident. And that’s just the start of the horrors. Michael is more puzzled than ever. Lizzy can’t be responsible—can she?

My rating: ★★★★☆
I am a HUGE Fear Street fan so I had high expectations for this. Unfortunately, these new books are not what the old ones used to be (or are, since they’re still in existence). The first two books (Party Games and Don't Stay Up Late) left me woefully disappointed (the second more so than the first). But I am glad to report that this one was not as bad as as I feared it would be. It was definitely better than the last one I read. Unfortunately, I wasn't too surprised by the "plot twist," which you know I hate. I just can’t win this one, can I? But you know what, I did enjoy learning what was really up with the mysterious Lizzy.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #80: Summer on Fear Street

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.

[Images take you to books' Goodreads page!]

Sunday Post #101: My Supernatural Obsession is Fueled and I LOVE IT!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Monthly Wrap-Up: August 2016

Oh my god, guys, it's almost fall, YAY! Finally no more heat! I was melting!

So, thanks to the Reading Decathlon Challenge, I got a lot of reading done this month, whoo!

Review: Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift (Cassidy Jones Adventures #2) by Elise Stokes

Title: Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift

Series: Cassidy Jones Adventures #2

Previous book in this series: Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula

Author: Elise Stokes

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: December 2011

Published by: Elise Stokes

Source: Own e-book

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

An Ancient Secret Has Risen. A World In Peril. Can This Evil Menace Be Stopped?

Two months after being infected with a strange retrovirus, Cassidy Jones continues to live a double life as she struggles to master her astonishing superpowers. School has become the only normal thing left in her life--except for tall, dark, and handsome Emery Phillips, who shadows her every move, ensuring her secret is safe. But when a sleepover at Catamount Mountain Zoo takes a menacing turn, the world hovers on the edge of disaster as Cassidy is drawn into another riveting and perilous mystery that threatens the planet.

My rating: ★★★★★
Cassidy Jones and Vulcan’s Gift was another great adventure, whoooo! This time something called Vulcan’s Gift is introduced and Emery and Cassidy try and keep it/take it away from evil. Oh, did I mention that Vulcan’s Gift is and old Nazi Weapon?? Hail Hydra?

Review: The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts (The Unbelievables #1) by K.C. Tansley

Title: The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts

Series: The Unbelievables #1

Author: K.C. Tansley

Genre: YA, paranormal, mystery

Publication date: August 2015

Published by: Beckett Publishing Group

Source: For review from publishers via Netglley

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Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

Kat Preston doesn’t believe in ghosts. Not because she’s never seen one, but because she saw one too many. Refusing to believe is the only way to protect herself from the ghost that tried to steal her life. Kat’s disbelief keeps her safe until her junior year at McTernan Academy, when a research project for an eccentric teacher takes her to a tiny, private island off the coast of Connecticut.

The site of a grisly mystery, the Isle of Acacia is no place for a girl who ignores ghosts, but the ghosts leave Kat little choice. Accompanied by her research partner, Evan Kingsley, she investigates the disappearance of Cassie Mallory and Sebastian Radcliffe on their wedding night in 1886. Evan’s scientific approach to everything leaves Kat on her own to confront a host of unbelievables: ancestral curses, powerful spells, and her strange connection to the ghosts that haunt Castle Creighton.

But that’s all before Kat’s yanked through a magic portal and Evan follows her. When the two of them awaken 129 years in the past with their souls trapped inside the bodies of two wedding guests, everything changes. Together, Kat and Evan race to stop the wedding-night murders and find a way back to their own time—and their own bodies—before their souls slip away forever.

My rating: ★★★★☆
Overall, I really liked The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts--it had a very interesting premise. Being sucked into a mirror and into the past... how cool does that sound? I'm gonna be honest and say that I wasn't expecting to like this much ‘cause it sounded very historical-ish, and I'm not the biggest fan of that. Surprisingly, I very much enjoyed it. Not only did my love for time travel win out, I actually, genuinely liked the setting!

Literary Nails: Shutter by Courtney Alameda

So it's been over a year since my last bookish nail art, but I finally have one ready, YAS!

This bookish nail art was inspired by...

Shutter by Courtney Alameda

Review: Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula (Cassidy Jones Adventures #1) by Elise Stokes

Title: Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula

Series: Cassidy Jones Adventures #1

Author: Elise Stokes

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: December 2010

Published by: Elise Stokes

Source: Own e-book

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

Fourteen-year-old Cassidy Jones wakes up the morning after a minor accident in the laboratory of a world-renowned geneticist to discover that her body has undergone some bizarre physical changes. Her senses, strength, and speed have been radically enhanced.

After exploring her newfound abilities, Cassidy learns that the geneticist, Professor Serena Phillips, is missing and that foul play is suspected. Terrified that her physical changes and Professor Phillips' disappearance are somehow connected, Cassidy decides to keep her strange transformation a secret. That is, until she meets the professor's brilliant and mysterious fifteen-year-old son, Emery. An unlikely duo, they set out to find Emery's mother, who is key in explaining Cassidy's newly acquired superpowers.

Their lives are put at risk when they find themselves embroiled in a dangerous, action-packed adventure. Soon they are forced to confront a maniacal villain willing to do anything - including murder — to reach his own ambitious goals.

My rating: ★★★★★
Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula had been on my to-read list for a long time, then I saw it free on Amazon and I grabbed it immediately. I don't know what I was expecting but I was very excited to start it, and I was pleasantly surprised! It did not disappoint! It was just so much fun yet surprisingly thrilling!

Reading Decathlon Challenge: Wrap Up

So, I did the challenge and now it's done. How did I do, you ask? Well...

Review: The Soul Thief (Angel of Death Series #1) by Majanka Verstraete

Title: The Soul Thief

Series: Angel of Death Series #1

Author: Majanka Verstraete

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: November 2014

Published by: Booktrope Publishing

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

When sixteen-year-old Riley is injured in a car crash and sees a girl stealing a boy’s soul, she’s convinced she’s hallucinating. But when she sees the same girl at the hospital later, she knows she wasn’t dreaming. That’s when Riley learns her secret heritage and who she really is: a halfling Angel of Death.

Riley must come to terms with her new reality and supernatural abilities, but before she can do this, girls her age start dying in mysterious circumstances. It’s up to Riley to figure out why, what the innocent victims have in common, and what she can do to stop them.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆
When I first saw this book I knew I had to have it. I mean, Reapers, Angels of Death, souls? This stuff is definitely my cup of tea! But unfortunately, I did not enjoy it quite as much as I wanted or thought I would.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #79: The Reading Decathlon Challenge!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.

[Images take you to books' Goodreads page!]

Sunday Post #100

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week! Let's get started!

Review: Adventures in Murder Chasing (Funeral Crashing #3) by Milda Harris

Title: Adventures in Murder Chasing

Series: Funeral Crashing #3

Previous books in this series: Adventures in Funeral Crashing (#1) | Adventures in Double Dating (#1.1) | Adventures of a Graveyard Girl (#2)

Author: Milda Harris

Genre: YA, cozy mystery

Publication date: September 2013

Published by: Milda Harris

Source: Own e-book

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

Kait Lenox is officially Ethan Ripley's girlfriend and she might even be kinda sorta becoming non enemies with her ex-bff Ariel Walker. Everything is going great! That is until Kait stumbles across another suspicious death at her favorite coffee shop, Wired. Not able to help herself, Kait sets out to investigate!

Suddenly Kait's problems go from whether or not she should say the L-word to Ethan to fears that the murder she's investigating might not be murder at all. Should Kait follow her gut or is she just chasing murders?

My rating: ★★★★★
I love, love, LOVE this series! It’s just so much fun and the romance is super cute! I can’t usually stand super cheesy romances, but I felt like this one is different. Ethan and Kait are just so cute together and it’s so adorable I want to cry! Lol.

Review: I'm with Cupid (Switched at First Kiss #1) by Anna Staniszewski

Title: I'm with Cupid

Series: Switched at First Kiss #1

Author: Anna Staniszewski

Genre: Middle Grade, paranormal

Publication date: July 2015

Published by: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

Marcus is a Cupid. Lena is a Reaper. Opposites attract in the exciting new Switched At First Kiss series by the acclaimed author of The Dirt Diary.

When she's dared to kiss the adorkable Marcus Torelli at a party, Lena thinks it's the perfect opportunity to cross First Kiss off her list of "Things to Accomplish Before I Turn Fourteen."

It's only when she gets sent on an assignment the next day that she realizes something went horribly wrong. That ZING she felt wasn't the thrill of her first kiss--she and Marcus have swapped powers! Lena is not your average eighth grader; she's a soul collector with a serious job to do. And Marcus turns out to be a supernatural matchmaker (like Cupid, but without the diaper).

Now logical Lena finds herself with the love touch, and sweet, sentimental Marcus has death at his fingertips. The truth is that Lena should never have taken that dare...because one little kiss has Lena and Marcus in a whole lotta trouble.

My rating: ★★★★☆
I’m with Cupid sounded like so much fun, I knew I had to pick it up! I mean, a Cupid and a Reaper switching powers? How amazingly disastrous is that? It’s just so funny and you know things could not possibly end well. So, yeah, I obviously loved the premise :)

Sunday Post #99: Bookish Nail Art Coming Up!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week! Let's get started!

Reading Decathlon Challenge: In Which I Try to Read 10 Books in 10 Days... Yikes!

So this challenge is pretty self-explanatory. Read 10 books in 10 days! You can read more about it on Epic Reads here!