Review: The Queen of Hearts, Vol. 1 by Colleen Oakes

The Queen of Hearts, Volume One by Colleen Oakes Source: purchased
Since I will be reviewing Volume Two in this series later this month, I wanted to read Volume One first. I had actually been wanting to read this book since it came out but hadn't had a chance to until now. Perfect timing and a perfect read while vacationing up north.
The Queen of Hearts is an entertaining backstory of Alice in Wonderland's Queen of Hearts. Dinah is the princess of Wonderland and soon will be coronated as the Queen, next to her father. As the day approaches, a surprise half sister arrives along with mysterious notes. Dinah is in danger and must figure out who she can trust to survive.
I really liked how the characters we all know from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland are reimagined for this tale but are still recognizable. There is a perfect mix of suspense with the YA angst of being a misunderstood teenage girl. A lot of fun, and of course ends before all plots are brought to a conclusion. Good thing Volume Two is soon to be released. 
Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Review: Cinders and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

Cinders and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

416 pages, paperback

Disney-Hyperion, December 2013

Source: Sneak Peek from NetGalley

One house, two worlds...

I grabbed this 13 Chapter Sneak Peak from NetGalley awhile ago but had not read it until now. Why did I wait? It is quite the fun read. I read this in a couple hours and promptly purchased the whole book to keep reading. It is addictive and a bit of a guilty pleasure read filled with scandal and gossip, secrets and lies, all within the walls of Somerton, an English Estate, during the beginning of the 20th Century. 

This is Downton Abby meets Gossip Girl and it makes for a perfect escape/vacation read. Just wish I was on vacation while reading. It's also good for some late night reading while sitting with my sick little girl.

We get to follow both the people upstairs and those downstairs, discover their secret affairs and malicious intents. This is a YA book, perfect for those ages 12-18, so the romance and scandal are not as mature as you would find in adult books, but I liked that.  The innocence of the characters and their actions seem appropriate for the time period and their ages.

Cinders and Sapphires is the first book in the Somerton series. Book 2, Diamonds and Deceit, was published in January.

For more info about the book and author visit her WEBSITE.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: Light From A Distant Star by Mary McGarry Morris

Light From A Distant Star by Mary McGarry Morris Paperback, 336 pages Published: July 2012, Broadway
I had grown a little tired of all the werewolves, vampires and fairies in YA books as of late. It seemed to be all that I ever would hear about. I had found it hard to find good fiction that dealt with real people and real problems. I was really excited to get this book sent to me. Nothing supernatural in this one, but still filled with tragedy, mystery, a strong young female protagonist and real teenage issues.   Thirteen year old Nellie Peck, is young and dealing with family issues as well as getting to know some new troublesome people that have entered her life. A murder occurs and everyone is quick to blame the new guy with the past, but Nellie, who has been keeping her eyes and ears on everyone, knows who the real killer is. Afraid that no one will believe her, she has to decide whether or not to share what she saw or keep it to herself and let an innocent man go to jail.
I really enjoyed this book. It is set in a small town in Massachusetts present time, but it felt of another time, a more innocent time.  Nellie is a cross between Scout of To Kill A Mockingbird and Briony of Atonement. She is a strong, brave and intelligent girl but also has a hard time staying out of other peoples business. She eaves-drops and spies on everyone, and reads her sister's mail and diary which all eventually get her into trouble. She is hard not to like and cheer on, though. 
Great story, great characters- great book! Go get yourself a copy and renew your faith in YA. 
Source: Publisher for review

For more information on the book and author: http://marymcgarrymorris.com/

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Book Review: Tempted by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast

Tempted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast


Well, this may be the end of this series for me. I hate not completing a series, but I am just not liking these characters anymore. And, they killed off my favorite!

Tempted starts off where the previous book ended with Zoey and co. cleaning up the mess that Neferet and Kalona left behind at the House of Night and the Sisters of Mercy. They managed to make them leave Tulsa but to truly end their attempt to reign over all the vamps, they must make a trip to Italy and go before the vamp council and prove that Neferet and Kalona are Nyx and Erebus incarnate.

Zoey is still dealing with too many boyfriends- no real point to this, but it does make her seem a bit slutty and I just don't care about her problems. She was so much more likable at the beginning of the series. Also, the one person that I liked and seemed to have some purpose in the storyline was killed off! I suppose it helps in lessening Zoey's boyfriend problems.

Anyway, I may read the rest of the series eventually but not now. I have other books on my shelf to read. No need to run off and buy the next book. It can wait.

2/5
Source: purchased
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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: Ada Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald

Ada Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald
I was completely enthralled with this book. I can't believe I waited so long to read it. 
Ada is a great protagonist - strong, fiesty and smart, plus she has the power of healing. She has grown up in foster homes not knowing who her parents are and just trying to survive the system. Her ability to see illness in people causes others to shy away from her, call her a freak. When she finally is put with her "aunt", she learns their's and her mother's fate- a life on the run from people wanting to take advantage of their gift.
There is a lot to like about this book, the characters, and well thought out story line, the beautiful artwork thats peppered throughout the book. I look forward to reading more especially since this ended with a bit of a cliffhanger.
4.5/5Source: from author for review
For more info on the book and author visit adaslegend.com.
RIP VI Challenge_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

YA Quick Review- Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson and Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Wings by Aprilynne Pike
High school biology class=budding romance once again, but this time the girl is budding, as well. Literally. Laurel discovers a growing bump on her back that she thinks is back acne at first, then a tumor. Boy is she surprised when it turns out to be neither. And it is not wings, as the title suggests. 
Wings is an interesting new take on fairies. Definitely a quick read, but the characters weren't all that likable.
3/5
Source: Amazon free ebook
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Scarlett and her family live in and run an old hotel in NYC, trying to make ends meet. A new guest and some live theatre brings drama, a boy and a chance to save the hotel. 
An original concept, fun characters and a quick read. I enjoyed it.
3.5/5
Source: Amazon free ebook_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

YA Quick Review: Wolves of Mercy Falls Series by Maggie Steifvater

Shiver
A different and interesting take on werewolf mythology. Big on romance but short on thrills. I tend to like my werewolves to be a little scary. Besides the beginning, there was no time I felt that they were threats. It would have made for a better story for me.
I did like the connection between Sam and Grace. That alone kept me wanting to read on. 
3/5


Linger
Book 2 continues where Shiver left off, with plenty of love in the cold air. Sam is living as a human, enjoying time with Grace, who is beginning to have odd symptoms. Could they be a result of the bite she received as a kid? 
Linger started off a bit slow for me but got a bit more exciting towards the end.
3/5

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Book Review: Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin

Phoebe Rothschild is an ordinary girl in a family of extraordinary people. When Mallory, a mysterious new girl starts at school,  Phoebe befriends her not knowing that she has been pinpointed by the faeries to save them.
An interesting new take on the faerie world and I did like the way it was weaved in with the history of the Rothschild family. What I had a hard time with was the relationship between Phoebe and Ryland, Mallory's brother. It was hard to read as she abused verbally, emotionally and probably sexually and she takes it all and professes her love for him throughout. I realize there was some faerie glamour at work here, but it still felt wrong to have her so broken down in this way. 
I am always looking for strong female characters in YA books,  and Phoebe just isn't that character for most of this book. As a teacher, as a woman, as a mom-to-be, I worry about young girls being portrayed in this way, as not strong enough to realize that they are being abused, so easily manipulated and brought down. Was really hoping for this book and for the characters to be a little more, well, extraordinary.
Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin was released September 7th. 
2.5/5
Source: Library Thing Early Reviewers
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Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Spoilers)

It took me a couple days, but I finally finished Mockingjay and am now ready to review. I was thinking about waiting a bit before sharing my thoughts, afraid I might give some info away that could spoil another person's reading of it, but I thought I would go for it anyway.
Beware of some spoilers!___________________________________________________________

Mockingjay is the final book in Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games Trilogy. It has been anxiously awaited by many eager to find out what has become of Katniss after being lifted out from the Quarter Quell arena by District 13 rebels and some Capital allies in a hovercraft. Well, Mockingjay starts off right where we left off in Catching Fire. Unfortunately, instead of being full of excitement, suspense and drama, the beginning of Mockingjay is slow. It is Katniss' thoughts on what has happened, her hospital stay and use of morphling, her moping around her new home in District 13.  25 pages in, I went to bed.
Thankfully, the book is not all like this. In fact, the rest is quite interesting and exciting and full of surprises, most of which are disturbing and sad but that is what makes Mockingjay real to me. When is there ever a truly happy ending in war? I appreciated the sacrifices made, was saddened when people died (yes, there are deaths) and was pleased with how the series has ended. There are still questions, and discussions to be had about many things that happened, revelations that were made and I think that is the best way to end a series. 
The most interesting aspect of the book, in my opinion, was the realization that replacing President Snow with President Coin wasn't going to change much in the lives of the people. Trading one evil for another, how we make the right choice in leaders, and how we stop from repeating past mistakes are all big concepts that the book addresses. Definitely big themes for teens but ones they need to be aware of since they play out in current governments around the world. What are all our thoughts?
4.5/5Source: purchased




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Book Review- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

After finishing The Hunger Games I waited less than a day to go and pick up a copy of Catching Fire. I couldn't wait to find out what else could happen in the lives of Katniss, Peeta and Gale. I was not disappointed. The action started up right away and I was once again thrown back into this world that Suzanne Collins created brilliantly.
In this second installment of the trilogy, Katniss and Peeta find themselves back in the center of attention but this time, their fight and their survival play into something much bigger than just saving their own lives and protecting their families. They are the hope of a repressed people who have been waiting for a chance to fight back against the Capitol. Katniss and her Mockingjay pin has given them hope.
A wonderful sequel, just as good as the first book if not better. I am now waiting patiently for my copy of Mockingjay to arrive this week just as many others are. I am actually rather glad I waited so long to read the series. I don't know if I could have gone a whole year waiting for the final book in the trilogy to be released. 
Anyway, happy reading to all. I will be offline until it is read. Would hate to accidently see any spoilers. 
5/5
Source: purchased
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins available tomorrow, August 24th. _________________________________________

Book Review- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games introduces us to the world of Panem. 13 Districts live under the control of The Capital. Each District has an industry that they work. District 12 mines for coal and this is where we meet Katniss Everdeen. A very strong and capable young girl who takes care of her mother and sister by risking her life hunting outside the fences that surround her District.

Every year The Capital holds The Hunger Games. Two tributes, kids from each District are chosen to compete to the death in an arena broadcast live to all of Panem. The games are a punishment for a past attempt to overthrow The Capital. When Katniss' sister, Prim is selected in the lottery, she volunteers to take her place and is sent to the arena with Peeta, the male tribute for District 12.
What Katniss and Peeta go through to get sponsers, to win the audience, and to survive within the games challenge them and destroy them at the same time. Nonstop action, suspense and hope that they make it through to the end kept me engaged and unable to put down the book until the very end. 
There is so much going on in this book that just dragged me in. The fight for survival, the strength of relationships and how they make us stronger, the scary reality of peoples' enjoyment of watching others' suffering. The story, the characters and the writing are superb. It has been quite awhile since I have read a book that had it all. 
Go and get a copy if you haven't read The Hunger Games yet. You won't be disappointed.
5/5
Source: purchased_________________________________________

Book Review- The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

I read this a few days before seeing the movie, Eclipse, and a couple years since last reading the book. I honestly didn't remember the character. I hadn't planned on reading this novella until a friend lent it to me. It took all of 2-3 hours to read and was definitely not a difficult read. It was somewhat entertaining, only lagging a bit at the beginning. I  did became interested in her accounts of the days in Seattle leading up to the big fight in Forks and her relationship with Diego. 
So, simply put, if you enjoyed the Twilight books, you will enjoy getting another point of view to part of the story. If you are not a fan, stay away. It will probably bore you.
3/5
Source: borrowed_________________________________________

Book Review-Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy is the second book in Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series for young adults. Cameron and her classmates are surprised and intrigued by some new completely unexpected additions to the student body at Gallagher Academy. The inclusion of boys from a previously unknown school throw the girls for a loop, causing some competition and a little more primping before classes.

This was another fun and fast-paced book. Once again, however, there was a big similarity to the HP books that I would be surprised if nobody else caught. It really reminded me of Goblet of Fire with the other school coming to stay for awhile, the kids learning to dance for a ball, etc.

Still, give it a try. The spy angle makes it different and their covert operations training makes in interesting and suspenseful. All in all, a fun book full of smart girls that teens will enjoy reading about.

3.5/5

Source: purchased



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Book Review: I'd tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Girls is seen by the locals as a place for the rich and spoiled but they could not be more wrong. The school is really a training school for spies. Yes, spies. The girls have classes on Covert Operations, Culture and Assimilation, etc. They are dangerous, smart and highly qualified to join the CIA once done with school.

Cameron, the headmistresses daughter, meets one of the local boys during a training mission in town and begins a secret relationship with him. It takes all her knowledge and skills that she has learned to keep her true identity a secret.

I was rather surprised to find that I really enjoyed this book. I haven't had the best of luck with my YA book choices lately for some reason, but this book was just what I needed. Smart, interesting girls, fun and mysterious setting, boy troubles. It was perfect.

I did notice some eerie similarities to a certain other book series set at a specialized and secret school for training young wizards, but the differences kept it interesting.

4/5

Source: purchased







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Book Review- Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrew

About a month ago or more I started to reread Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrew for the first time since I was in high school. That was a long time ago. Don't think I need to mention exactly how long... 
Well, I couldn't finish it. I actually only read a few chapters before having to pick something else up. I couldn't get past the writing. It seemed so much more simplistic than I remember. The dialogue was hard to believe, it just all seemed a bit dumb downed. I think young adult fiction is now written so smartly and realistically that this book just showed its age. 
Has anyone else had this reaction to it?  I loved this book when I was a teen. The plot was different than anything I had ever read and it seemed so adult. Now, not so much.
dnf
Source: giveaway win_________________________________________