Review: Hereafter

 



Hereafter

Terri Bruce

 Mictlan Press

 

 

From Goodreads : Why let a little thing like dying get in the way of a good time?

Thirty-six-year-old Irene Dunphy didn't plan on dying any time soon, but that’s exactly what happens when she makes the mistake of getting behind the wheel after a night bar-hopping with friends. She finds herself stranded on earth as a ghost, where the food has no taste, the alcohol doesn’t get you drunk, and the sex...well, let’s just say “don’t bother.” To make matters worse, the only person who can see her—courtesy of a book he found in his school library—is a fourteen-year-old boy genius obsessed with the afterlife.

Unfortunately, what waits in the Great Beyond isn’t much better. Stuck between the boring life of a ghost in this world and the terrifying prospect of three-headed hell hounds, final judgment, and eternal torment in the next, Irene sets out to find a third option—preferably one that involves not being dead anymore. Can she wipe the slate clean and get a second chance before it’s too late?

 

 

 

My Review: This book was good. I did enjoy the banter between Irene and Jonah ( the only living person who can see Irene) but it has to grow on me. At first Irene just seems bitter and mean, I guess I would too if I found out I was dead, but as the story progresses you see that these two really care for each other.

 

 I also liked the fact that it created a unique way that ghost strive on this plain. They have there own shops, bars and getting things they remember from before they passed. What they die with and are buried with they take with them. ( I want all my books with me). How ghost survive her is also interesting. Where they go to rest and hotels that have floors just for them.

 

  One more good point to this book it looks at afterlife traditions of several cultures and their beliefs. I thought that was well researched and informative. As a reader I like getting knowledge and learning something new when I read. Terri Bruce did a wonderful job of taking her research and weaving it into a story that compels you to read on and teaches you thing you never thought of asking for yourself.

 

 



 

 

 



Review: Five: Out of the Darkness

Five: Out of the Dark

Holli Anderson

Curiosity Quills

 

 

From Goodreads: Five teenagers who’ve recently discovered they have magical powers and are living in the Seattle underground feel it’s their responsibility to protect unsuspecting humans from otherworldly foes. Things are going well until Johnathan, their unofficial leader and the boy sixteen year old Paige is in love with, is bitten by a changeling – the venomous saliva causing him to metamorphose into a ravening beast with each full moon. Paige vows that, no matter the cost, she will find a way to cure Johnathan of the evil that has embedded itself in his soul.
Johnathan’s monthly transformation and daily personality roller coaster isn’t the only problem they have to deal with. The Five are also gearing up to face their toughest and most dangerous enemy yet—a powerful and ruthless Warlock who will go to any means, including high school, to build his Dark Army.



My Review:  This book was given to me from the publisher and Netgalley for my honest review.

          Okay so another book about teens with supernatural powers seem to be every where now, I chose this one for the cover and I am glad I did.  This book was so good for several reasons. I loved the way this book does not just use one type of supernatural creature but several different creatures. I also enjoyed the twist on the werewolf story and how the author makes him a sympathetic character.

   Fast paced and action packed this book has it all. I liked everything about it. All five teens were realistic and well written. Each with a unique personality and engaging. You cared for all of them. Holli Anderson creates a world and characters I want to continue to read about and learn more about. I will continue with this series and I look forward to the next book.

 

 

 

 





Review : Forged by Greed

Forged by Greed

A.O. Pert

Three Graces Publishing

From Goodreads : Two Seattle 16-year-olds, Jatred and Jasmira, are not your typical star-crossed lovers. They are not even your typical Shape Shifters. Sure, they try to live an ordinary life. At least, as ordinary as the Prince and the Princess of the rivaling ancient Races--the Winter wolves and the Summer leopards--can live. But eventually they learn that not much about their existence can be normal. Especially when the Races' two commanding Goddesses are involved.

One of the Goddesses is on a quest to tilt the scale of power to her side. The other will never let it happen, even if it means kicking Jatred and Jasmira's love to the curb. Nothing is off limits, including removing Jatred's memories of Jasmira.

To complicate things even more, there are the Universe's powers to consider. They are trapped in an ancient Amulet in order to protect the stability of the world. But the Universe has a mind of its own, and when the powers are unleashed, the forces of nature are disturbed; earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions shake the Earth. All Shifters of both Races are summoned by their respective Goddesses to fight in the name of, or against, the normalcy of the world.


My Review: I was given this book by netgalley for my honest review
   
  This is a wonderfully written YA urban fantasy dealing with shape shifters and Goddess. The two main characters Jatred and Jasmira are two teen in love ,but they are also shape shifters from two different races (One Winter , One Summer) and they are both of royal blood. Throw in an ancient Amulet with power that are a mystery to almost everyone and you have this story. Easy to get lost in the unique worlds created in this book and find yourself reading for hours on end. Full of mystery, magic and mythology woven in this book was impossible for me to put down. I can not wait for the next book in the series. For all readers of epic fantasy no matter what age.

                                              

Review : The Iron Bells



The Iron Bells (The Demon's Gate Book One)

Jeanette Battista

 Foreword Literary



The year is 64 A.D. -- though now A.D. stands for Anno Daemonii.
Demons have crossed a gate into our world, taking the reins of power
from humanity. A new Inquisition has begun, determined to root out any
who stand against the new world order. The holy sites on earth have
been destroyed -- Jerasulem first, then the Vatican, then Mecca -- and
what resistance remains is ruthlessly crushed. Amaranth is a fighter
in the resistance cell based in London. Dham is a Ringer, one of the
few people left able to ring the remaining sets of blessed hand bells
that have power over demons. When Amaranth discovers that her best
friend has been possessed by a demon and is going to be used in the
Resistance's final, desperate mission, she asks Dham for his help in
saving her friend. With the Inquisition closing in and betrayal
threatening from inside the Resistance itself, Amaranth, Dham, and the
demon -- along with Catriona, a new, highly-skilled, highly-blonde
bell-ringer -- decide to head to Rome and the ruins of Vatican City,
hoping to find a way to stem the tide of demonic possessions and close
the gate.

My Review:  I was given this book by netgalley for my honest review

     This book grabs you and never lets you go. Filled with demons and the people who serve them. Amaranth is was orphaned and taken in by the resistance a group of people who protect and help religious people and relics that are now outlawed. I enjoyed the concept and was pulled in immediately. So fast paced I could not put this book down. Now I have to get the second book because this is one series I really want to continue , I rooted for the main characters and suspected everyone.
     I enjoyed the character of Amaranth, strong girl and independent a real kick a** girl, but also loyal and loving too her true friends. I understand her dilemma when she feels she is betrayed by the people she trust and the actions she takes to help others.
  Great book for all the demon hunters out there and paranormal lovers everywhere



Review: Legend

 

 

Legend

Marie Lu

 Putnam Juvenile

 

From Goodreads: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

 

My Review: Okay, I think I am the last person to read and review this book, but that is fine with me, because now I can read the whole series without having to wait for the books to be published.

     This book was a wonderful addition to the dystopian epidemic that seemed to take over YA. For that reason I was a little apprehensive to read this but I am glad I caved and picked it out of my TBR Jar. Fast paced and thrilling only begins to describe this story of June and Day. I am looking forward to getting the next two books in this trilogy.  

     Day and June are compelling characters to read and I love how the P.O.V changes and we get to see each side of the story. I think most books loose out on that only having one prospective. We as reading don't get all the facts, but this book did it amazingly. I could not put this book down ( yes I thought of calling out of work so I could finish it.) When I did finish it I exhaled (I was unaware I was holding my breath) and said the one word that came to mind WOW!!! 

      Marie Lu did a great job of roping me in for a long time too come and I will be looking for any books she will write in the years to come.  

 

   

Review: The Catastrophic History Of You and Me

 

 



The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Jess Rothenberg

 Penguin Young Readers Group

 

 

 From Goodreads: Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

 

 

 

My Review: This was a sweet, heartwarming and amazing story. I was touched by the sweet story and moved to tears at some parts of this wonderful story of Brie's journey in the after life and her desperate attempts to go home to the life she left behind. I must admit I was not sure what this book was about when I bought it (Yes I just loved the cover) but as I started reading it I loved it. The concept of a teen dying of a broken heart seemed a little over dramatic too me at first but as I read I was pulled into a story and a world that was written so well I lost myself in the story and was compelled to continue reading.

   Jess Rothenberg's writing transported me to an after life that was fun and interesting to learn about. I really enjoyed the idea that you could check on the people we leave behind, although Brie soon learns the downfalls of doing that. Brie is young and the first thing she wants is revenge on the person who she blames for killing her, but as the story progresses she matures and find the real reasons behind what happened in her life. I liked that even after her death she sill grows as a person.

 

  This book is for all contemporary lovers even though there are some paranormal elements but that does not get in the way of this emotional and heartfelt love story .