Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monthly Wrap-Up: February 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #90
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date / Teach Mentor Text & Unleashing Reads.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Sunday Post #117: Demon Blood On My Nails
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!
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Literary Nails: Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby
Oh my gods, I actually have some nail art for you. Lol. Last year I really slacked in the bookish nail art department, so that's why this year I really want to post a little something at least once a month... so far so good! Crossing my fingers I keep this up, but knowing me, who knows! Lol.
This nail art was inspired by...
Okay, I'm kidding ;) Though there are fairies involved...
Friday, February 24, 2017
Review: Possess by Gretchen McNeil
Title: Possess
Author: Gretchen McNeil
Genre: YA, paranormal
Publication date: August 2012
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Source: Own paperback
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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her overprotective mom, by Matt Quinn, the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, the voices are demons—and Bridget possesses the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from. Literally.
Terrified to tell her friends or family about this new power, Bridget confides in San Francisco's senior exorcist, Monsignor Renault, who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her freakish new role, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. And when one of her oldest friends is killed, Bridget realizes she's in deeper than she ever thought possible. Now she must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone else close to her winds up dead—or worse, the human vessel for a demon king.
Possess was a fun story about Bridget, a girl who hears demons and is able to banish them back to hell... Well, it was fun for me ;) Bridget is most definitely not a fan, lol.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Review: The Girl Who Heard Demons by Janette Rallison
Title: The Girl Who Heard Demons
Author: Janette Rallison
Genre: YA, urban fantasy
Publication date: March 2016
Published by: Kindle Press
Source: Free copy from Kindle Scout for voting for it!
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Buy it: Amazon
Synopsis:
Shy Adelle Hansen hears demons, but she’s determined to make friends at her new high school by keeping her ability secret.
When she overhears supernatural voices celebrating the impending death of the school quarterback, Levi Anderson, she knows she has to do something to prevent it. However, the demons aren’t the ones plotting; they’re just celebrating the chaos, and Adelle must contend with earthly forces as well if she wants to preserve Levi’s life.
Handsome, popular Levi doesn't appreciate Adelle’s self-appointed role of guardian angel. As Adelle battles to keep him safe, she’ll have to protect her heart, too. Can she do both?
I loved, loved, LOVED this book! Janette Rallison is definitely one of my favorite authors! She is just amazing!
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Review: The Bargaining by Carly Anne West
Title: The Bargaining
Author: Carly Anne West
Genre: YA, horror
Publication date: February 2015
Published by: Simon Pulse
Source: Own hardcover
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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
The fact that neither of her parents wants to deal with her is nothing new to Penny. She’s used to being discussed like a problem, a problem her mother has finally passed on to her father. What she hasn’t gotten used to is her stepmother…especially when she finds out that she’ll have to spend the summer with April in the remote woods of Washington to restore a broken-down old house.
Set deep in a dense forest, the old Carver House is filled with abandoned antique furniture, rich architectural details, and its own chilling past. The only respite Penny can find away from April’s renovations is in Miller, the young guy who runs the local general store. He’s her only chance at a normal, and enjoyable, summer.
But Miller has his own connection to the Carver House, and it’s one that goes beyond the mysterious tapping Penny hears at her window, the handprints she finds smudging the glass panes, and the visions of children who beckon Penny to follow them into the dark woods. Miller’s past just might threaten to become the terror of Penny’s future…
I was very excited to read The Bargaining, especially after reading and loving this author’s other book, The Murmurings! Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Review: The Murmurings by Carly Anne West
Title: The Murmurings
Author: Carly Anne West
Genre: YA, mystery thriller, horror
Publication date: March 2013
Published by: Simon Pulse
Source: Own paperback
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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
Everyone thinks Sophie’s sister, Nell, went crazy. After all, she heard strange voices that drove her to commit suicide. But Sophie doesn’t believe that Nell would take her own life, and she’s convinced that Nell’s doctor knows more than he’s letting on.
As Sophie starts to piece together Nell’s last days, every lead ends in a web of lies. And the deeper Sophie digs, the more danger she’s in—because now she’s hearing the same haunting whispers. Sophie’s starting to think she’s going crazy too. Or worse, that maybe she’s not...
I was very excited to read The Murmurings because a.) it just sounded super creepy and b.) it had a creepy, gorgeous cover to go along with it! And I am happy to report that it was as creepy as I hoped! This would make such a great horror movie!
Monday, February 20, 2017
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #89: More Ghosts, 'Cause Why Not
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date / Teach Mentor Text & Unleashing Reads.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Sunday Post #116: Dirty Laundry and Creepy 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!
Friday, February 17, 2017
Review: The Night She Disappeared by April Henry
Title: The Night She Disappeared
Author: April Henry
Genre: YA, mystery thriller
Publication date: March 2012
Published by: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Source: Own paperback
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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
Gabie drives a Mini Cooper. She also works part time as a delivery girl at Pete’s Pizza. One night, Kayla—another delivery girl—goes missing. To her horror, Gabie learns that the supposed kidnapper had asked if the girl in the Mini Cooper was working that night. Gabie can’t move beyond the fact that Kayla’s fate was really meant for her, and she becomes obsessed with finding Kayla. She teams up with Drew, who also works at Pete’s. Together, they set out to prove that Kayla isn’t dead—and to find her before she is.
Gabie’s co-worker Kayla goes missing one night while out delivering pizzas. To Gabie’s horror, Gabie was the one meant to be kidnapped that night, not Kayla! And it all happened because Kayla and Gabbie switched shifts... yikes! How insane is that?!
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Review: Shadowland (The Mediator #1) by Meg Cabot
Title: Shadowland
Series: The Mediator #1
Author: Meg Cabot
Genre: YA, paranormal
Publication date: December 2004
Published by: HarperTeen
Source: Own paperback omnibus
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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
There's a hot guy in Susannah Simon's bedroom. Too bad he's a ghost.
Suze is a mediator - a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.
But the very first day at her new school, Suze realizes it's not that easy. There's a ghost with revenge on her mind... and Suze happens to be in the way.
After her mother remarries, Suze moves to California with 3 new stepbrothers and a stepdad. All is going great, until Suze arrives at her new house and goes up to her new room only to realizes a ghost already occupies it. An attractive ghost...
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray
Title: The Diviners
Series: The Diviners #1
Author: Libba Bray
Genre: YA, mystery, historical
Publication date: December 2013
Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: Owned paperback
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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
Do you believe there are ghosts and demons and Diviners among us?
Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It's 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.
Evie worries he'll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.
As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfurl in the city that never sleeps. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened...
This book was weird in that I didn’t like it... but I did?
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop
Roses are red
Violets are blue
You're a cherry blossom
You're about to bloom
You look so pretty, but you're gone so soon
How do you like my Valentine's Day poem a la Fall Out Boy?
Monday, February 13, 2017
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #88
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date / Teach Mentor Text & Unleashing Reads.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Sunday Post #115: That Multichrome Though
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!
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Best YA Books with... Ghosts!
When I read, I typically fall into this rhythm where I read books in the same genre or with a similar supernatural thing going on. And lately I've been reading books with ghosts! I am currently reading The Keeper (Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #8) by J.L. Bryan and I absolutely love it! Actually, I love all of the Ellie Jordan series! It's one of my favorite ghostly series, and this inspired me to look back on some of my favorite books with ghosts in them to share with you guys! Now, I don't think the Ellie Jordan series technically falls into the YA genre, but I feel like this is one of those series anyone can read. Lol.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Review: Enchantment (Channie #1) by Charlotte Abel
Title: Enchantment
Series: Channie #1
Author: Charlotte Abel
Genre: YA, paranormal
Publication date: June 2011
Published by: Charlotte Abel
Source: Amazon Freebie
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Synopsis:
While other girls are wearing push-up bras, Channie Belks is trying to hide the fact she's a witch.
Sorta hard to do after her parents slap a chastity curse on her for flirting with "dirty-minded, non-magical, city-boys." She can't even walk by a hot guy without zapping him.
There's a way to break the curse; but one mistake could kill her. It's not worth the risk ... until she meets Josh.
Suddenly, the threat of death isn't such a deal-breaker.
Channie grew up in a magical community, up until her father’s gambling problem forces them to flee and live among the “Magically Disabled,” that is. And now Channie must hide the fact that she is a witch.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Review: Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis
Title: Glimmer
Author: Phoebe Kitanidis
Genre: YA, paranormal, mystery
Publication date: April 2012
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Source: Own Hardcover
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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
When Marshall King and Elyse Alton suddenly wake up tangled in each other's arms with zero memory of how they got there or even who they are, it's the start of a long journey through their separate pasts and shared future.
Terrified by their amnesia, Marshall and Elyse make a pact to work together to find the answers that could restore their missing memories. As they piece together clues about their lives, they discover that they're in the idyllic mountain resort town of Summer Falls. Everyone seems happy there, but as Marshall and Elyse quickly learn, darkness lurks beneath the town's perfect facade. Not only is the town haunted by sinister ghosts, but none of its living inhabitants retain bad memories of anything—not the death of Marshall's mom, not the hidden violence in Elyse's family, not even the day-to-day anguish of being a high schooler.
Lonely in this world of happy zombies, Marshall and Elyse fall into an intense relationship founded on their mutual quest for truth. But the secrets they're trying to uncover could be the death of this budding love affair—and of everyone, and everything, they love in Summer Falls.
Two strangers wake up naked in bed with no recollection of how they got there. In fact, they don’t even know who they are! As they unravel the mystery, they figure out that they live in the picture perfect town of Summer Falls.
...general laid-back vacation culture has led to tourists comparing visiting the town to being high on a pleasant and relaxing drug...
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Review: Dead River by Cyn Balog
Title: Dead River
Author: Cyn Balog
Genre: YA, paranormal, thriller
Publication date: April 2013
Published by: Delacorte
Source: Own Hardcover
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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
My friends and I are spending prom weekend at a remote wooded cabin on the Dead. The Dead River.
I thought it was going to be just us.
I was wrong.
Nothing is what it seems in this creepy paranormal thriller by Cyn Balog.
Ki, her boyfriend Justin, her cousin Angela, and Angela’s friend (or whatever) Hugo go to Angela’s cabin for a weekend of rafting on the Dead River. Ki lied to her overprotective father in order to come to this trip. One she didn’t even want to go on in the first place because A.) she wanted to go to prom instead. Justin didn’t want to, preferring to go rafting. And since Angela is also outdoorsy, Ki apparently didn’t have any other choice but to go. Seriously? Just tell him you want to go to prom instead! *sigh*
And B.) she hates water. You see, her mother committed suicide by walking into the Dead River and drowning. Oh, and every time she is near any body of water she hears voices in her head. And after so many year of quiet, yes, the voices are now back. And seeing the dead is just another added bonus, or minus. Whatever ;)
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Review: Shutter by Courtney Alameda
Title: Shutter
Author: Courtney Alameda
Genre: YA, paranormal, horror
Publication date: February 2015
Published by: Feiwel & Friends
Source: Owned Hardcover
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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
Micheline Helsing is a tetrachromat—a girl who sees the auras of the undead in a prismatic spectrum. As one of the last descendants of the Van Helsing lineage, she has trained since childhood to destroy monsters both corporeal and spiritual: the corporeal undead go down by the bullet, the spiritual undead by the lens. With an analog SLR camera as her best weapon, Micheline exorcises ghosts by capturing their spiritual energy on film. She's aided by her crew: Oliver, a techno-whiz and the boy who developed her camera's technology; Jude, who can predict death; and Ryder, the boy Micheline has known and loved forever.
When a routine ghost hunt goes awry, Micheline and the boys are infected with a curse known as a soulchain. As the ghostly chains spread through their bodies, Micheline learns that if she doesn't exorcise her entity in seven days or less, she and her friends will die. Now pursued as a renegade agent by her monster-hunting father, Leonard Helsing, she must track and destroy an entity more powerful than anything she's faced before . . . or die trying.
Lock, stock, and lens, she’s in for one hell of a week.
I was very excited to read this one because it just sounded so amazing! I mean, not only was it horror, but it involved descendants of Van Helsing! How awesome does that sound?
Monday, February 6, 2017
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #87: A Ghostie Here, A Ghostie There
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date / Teach Mentor Text & Unleashing Reads.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Sunday Post #114: Zombie Mom!!
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!
Friday, February 3, 2017
DNF Reviews: Don't Breathe A Word by Jennifer McMahon + The Postmortal by Drew Magary
Title: Don't Breathe A Word
Author: Jennifer McMahon
Genre: Adult, dystopian
Publication date: May 2011
Published by: Harper Paperbacks
Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley
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Synopsis:
On a soft summer night in Vermont, 12-year-old Lisa went into the woods behind her house and never came out again. Before she disappeared, she told her little brother, Sam, about a door that led to a magical place where she would meet the King of the Fairies and become his queen.
Fifteen years later, Phoebe is in love with Sam, a practical, sensible man who doesn't fear the dark and doesn't have bad dreams - who, in fact, helps Phoebe ignore her own. But suddenly the couple is faced with a series of eerie, unexplained occurrences that challenge Sam's hardheaded, realistic view of the world. As they question their reality, a terrible promise Sam made years ago is revealed - a promise that could destroy them all.
So I read the prologue, but didn't really capture my attention =/ It was really hard for me to get into it... so I just stopped. I couldn’t even tell you what this was about. IDK if I'll pick this book up again to finish it...
Thursday, February 2, 2017
DNF Reviews: Book of Shadows (Sweep #1) by Cate Tiernan + Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
Title: Book of Shadows
Series: Sweep #1
Author: Cate Tiernan
Genre: YA, paranormal
Publication date: March 2007
Published by: Speak
Source: Borrowed
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Synopsis:
Morgan and her best friend, Bree, are introduced to Wicca when a gorgeous senior named Cal invites them to join his new coven. Morgan falls for Cal immediately and discovers that she has strong, inexplicable powers.
For some reason I don't remember this book keeping my attention, so I never finished it... that and because I was borrowing it from my friend who had checked it out of the library and it was due soon, lol.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
DNF Review: Insanity by Susan Vaught
Title: Insanity
Author: Susan Vaught
Genre: YA, horror
Publication date: February 2014
Published by: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley
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Synopsis:
Never, Kentucky is not your average scenic small town. It is a crossways, a place where the dead and the living can find no peace. Not that Forest, an 18-year-old foster kid who works the graveyard shift at Lincoln Hospital, knew this when she applied for the job. Lincoln is a huge state mental institution, a good place for Forest to make some money to pay for college. But along with hundreds of very unstable patients, it also has underground tunnels, bell towers that ring unexpectedly, and a closet that holds more than just donated clothing....When the dead husband of one of Forest's patients makes an appearance late one night, seemingly accompanied by an agent of the Devil, Forest loses all sense of reality and all sense of time. Terrified, she knows she has a part to play, and when she does so, she finds a heritage that she never expected.
With her deep knowledge of mental illness and mental institutions, Susan Vaught brings readers a fascinating and completely creepy new book intertwining the stories of three young people who find themselves haunted beyond imagining in the depths of Lincoln Hospital.
I really loved the concept of Insanity... a haunted asylum? Yes please! I'm all for a little scare and some talk of mental illness, but this was just not what I expected.