Review: The Merciless

The Merciless

Danielle Vega

Razorbill

From Goodreads:  Brooklyn Stevens sits in a pool of her own blood, tied up and gagged. No one outside of these dank basement walls knows she’s here. No one can hear her scream.

Sofia Flores knows she shouldn’t have gotten involved. When she befriended Riley, Grace, and Alexis on her first day at school, she admired them, with their perfect hair and their good-girl ways. They said they wanted to save Brooklyn. They wanted to help her. Sofia didn’t realize they believed Brooklyn was possessed.

Now, Riley and the girls are performing an exorcism on Brooklyn—but their idea of an exorcism is closer to torture than salvation. All Sofia wants is to get out of this house. But there is no way out. Sofia can’t go against the other girls...unless she wants to be next.

By the shockingly twisted end, readers will be faced with the most haunting question of all: Is there evil in all of us?

My Review: After finishing this book I said "That was crazy". I had to make sure it was a young adult book to my surprise it is. I was shocked that it was soooo good and left me wanting more.  I am happy to see the author is writing a sequel to this terrific and terrifying book. When friendships go wrong this story lets you know how wrong they can go. I have recommended this to a friend of mine who likes adult horror and she loved it. It is intended to grab you and no let go and it does just that. Wow.......Wow   



Review : How to Ditch Your Fairy

How To Ditch Your Fairy

Justine Larbalestier

Bloomsbury Children USA

 

 

 

From Goodreads: Everyone in New Avalon has a fairy. Though invisible, a personal fairy is vital to success. It might determine whether you pass a math class or find the perfect outfit. But all fourteen-year-old Charlie can do is find parking spaces—and she doesn't even drive. At first, teaming up with Fiorenza (who has an all-the-boys-like-you fairy) seems like a great idea. But when Charlie unexpectedly gets her heart's desire, she'll have to resort to extraordinary measures to ditch her fairy.

 

 

 

My Review: This book was just Okay for me. Did not hate it or did not love it. The story had it cute and charming points, and it had it funny and humorist parts but not enough to rave about this book. My daughter thought the book was a riot. So this is a middle grade read that deals with first crushes and bonds between friends.

  



Review: Being Nikki



Being Nikki

Meg Cabot

Point

 

From Goodreads: Things aren't pretty for Emerson Watts.

Em was sure there couldn't be anything worse than being a brainiac the body of a teenaged supermodel.

But it turned out she was wrong. Because that supermodel could turn out to have a mother who's gone mysteriously missing, a brother who's shown up on her doorstep demanding answers, a former best friend who's intent on destroying Stark Enterprises to avenge the death of his lost love, and a British heartthrob who's written a song about her that's topping the charts.

How can Em balance all that with school, runway shows, and weekend jaunts to St. Johns — especially when she's got ex-boyfriends crawling out of the woodwork who want more than just a photo op; a sister who is headed to the high school cheerleading championships; a company she represents that seems to be turning to the dark side...

Not to mention trying to convince the love of her life that models aren't really airheads after all...especially one model in particular.

But then, nobody said it was going to be easy being Nikki.   

 

My Review:  After reading the first book I was not sure I would read another but, I have been wrong before and this time I was shocked and happy I was wrong. This turned into a book that kept me reading until the end. Mysterious new characters were introduced and Nikki's past started coming together. Em is a great character but now that she has to pretend to be Nikki it is interesting to get to know her past. So this book is full of mystery, adventure and romance. I will now read the third book in the series without  hesitation and actually wanting to know what is going to happen to these characters.

  

Review: Born Lucid



Born Lucid

Christopher C. Evans

 

 

 

 

From Goodreads : In a dark and brooding world where conspiracy theories are no longer just theory, the fate of humanity hinges on the whims of the sociopathic elite - a hidden hierarchy which vie in a secret war amongst themselves, crushing anyone who gets in their way. Every man, woman and child, every agency, every nation state, are but pawns in the greater game of power and control.

Chris Trent, an archaeology student and activist is thrown into the middle of this power struggle when he inadvertently uncovers a "Relic" - ancient technology which turns him into a living weapon too deadly to remain uncontrolled. Press-ganged into the service of a corrupt government agency, he discovers a breakaway society entrenched in intrigue, manipulation, corruption and betrayal, which puppeteers the modern world from the shadows. The only light in the darkness is the unexpected camaraderie of his fellow "Relics" and the hope that they can break their bonds of servitude and save mankind from the seemingly inevitable slide towards a cruel totalitarian police state. But is it already too late?

Jumping from present day to a not-too-distant dystopian future and back again, Born Lucid - Book 1 of the Born Lucid Series lets you see actual modern day events and real government legislation in a whole new light...

 

 

 

My Review: Let me start by saying I do not read a lot of sci-fi, so I did not know how I would feel about this book.

 

     Let me tell you also this book blew me away. I was surprised with how fast I was pulled into the dystopian world that the author created because of the vivid descriptions of the writing and it was hard to be pulled back to reality. Great character development propels this story along with a wonderful writing style. This book is a gripping page-turner that is just the beginning to a series. I could not believe this was a debut novel. The story flowed so well and was so compelling I would have thought it was after years of writing. This book is a winner even if your not a sci-fi fan it will convert you. It has converted me. 

 

   Mr. Evans I hope your writing a sequels because I want MORE. 

 

 

  

 



Review: Alive

Alive

Scott Sigler

Del Rey

 

 

 

From Goodreads : A young woman awakes trapped in an enclosed space. She has no idea who she is or how she got there. With only her instincts to guide her, she escapes her own confinement—and finds she’s not alone. She frees the others in the room and leads them into a corridor filled with the remains of a war long past. The farther these survivors travel, the worse are the horrors they confront. And as they slowly come to understand what this prison is, they realize that the worst and strangest possibilities they could have imagined don’t even come close to the truth.

 

 

My Review: Okay just by reading the Goodreads synopsis I was drawn to this book. I enjoyed this book a lot, the plot twist kind of through me, but I have never read a book like this. The story is enthralling and the characters were interesting. I am going to continue this series to see how it advances.



Review: Some Like It Lethal

Some Like It Lethal

Nancy Martin

Signet

From Goodreads : When the husband of a wealthy dog food heiress is found bludgeoned to death at an exclusive hunt club, Nora Blackbird is as surprised as anyone. Worse still, the evidence points toward a devious blackmail scheme-with Nora's sister, Emma, as the main suspect. Investigating with the help of friend and foe alike, Nora uncovers the secrets of some of Philadelphia's high-and-mightiest-and attracts the unwanted attentions of the real killer...  

My Review: I enjoyed this book, not as much as the first two. Still a good series I want to continue . A mystery that makes you laugh out loud. With Nora and her sisters it always seems like trouble is around the corner, but the way they solve the crime always makes me smile. I really like this series of cozy mystery with just the right hint of humor and romance added in.

 



Review: Zia, The Teenage Zombie & The Undead Diaries

 

 

 

 

Zia, The Teenage Zombie and the Undead Diaries

Angela Scott

Black Pines Press

 

 

From Goodreads:Zia would give anything to be a typical teenager... again. Heck, she’d settle for being a vampire or smelly werewolf, but a member of the walking dead? The lowliest of all the monsters? No way! Nothing is worse than being a skin-sloughing, limb-losing, maggot-housing, brain-craving undead girl. Nothing.

It wouldn’t be so bad if humans didn’t insist on “Living Impaireds” wearing bands to keep their insatiable appetites in check. And if LIs want to coexist with humans, then rules must be followed, no matter how ludicrous they might seem. Why do undead teenagers have to go to high school anyway?

Zia does her best to blend in and go unnoticed, but when a new group of LIs are bused in from another school and she finds herself part of a growing horde, all bets are off.

Besides, rules are meant to be broken—especially when an unbeating heart is pulled in two different directions.  

 

 

 

My Review:

                        I would like to   thank the publisher, author and YA Book Bound Tours for giving me a copy for this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

 

 

Okay to be honest this title grabbed my attention right away. I wanted it and I am glad I did. This is such a fun and touching story. Zia has the problem of many high school students but add the fact she is a zombie on top of that and you can't help but cheer her on in her journey. Facing the fact she is decaying and what to wear to the party, we never had it so tough. This was a touching story with  several themes I liked family, diversity, bullies and young love. I could have read more but the characters are so well developed in this book you get closure in this book and smile at the end.

 

 

 

 





Review: Rogue

 

 

 

Rogue
Gina Damico
Graphia

From Goodreads:Lex is a teenage Grim Reaper with the power to Damn souls, and it’s getting out of control. She’s a fugitive, on the run from the maniacal new mayor of Croak and the townspeople who want to see her pay the price for her misdeeds. Uncle Mort rounds up the Junior Grims to flee Croak once again, but this time they’re joined by Grotton, the most powerful Grim of all time. Their new mission is clear: Fix his mistakes, or the Afterlife will cease to exist, along with all the souls in it.　

The gang heads for Necropolis, the labyrinth-like capital city of the Grimsphere. There, they discover that the Grimsphere needs a reboot. To do that, the portals to the Afterlife must be destroyed…but even that may not be enough to fix the damage. Things go from bad to worse, and when at last the fate of the Afterlife and all the souls of the Damned hang in the balance, it falls to Lex and her friends to make one final, impossible choice.

 

 

 

My Review: This book was the action packed finale to an amazing series. I did not think I could love a series this much but this was amazing up until the end. Going to miss Lex and the gang but I can always know I can re read them any time. Watching Lex grow from a smart mouth bully to the wonderfully strong an determined young lady I know she could be was a journey I was glad to be on and happy I witnessed it. The writing in this trilogy just kept me reading until the end. I will look for more books by this author because she can tell a story



Review : I Don't Want To Kill You

 

 

I Don't Want To Kill You

Dan Wells

Tor Books

 

 

 

 

 

From Goodreads: John Cleaver has called a demon—literally called it, on the phone, and challenged it to a fight. He’s faced two of the monsters already, barely escaping with his life, and now he’s done running; he’s taking the fight to them. But as he wades through his town’s darkest secrets, searching for any sign of who the demon might be, one thing becomes all too clear: in a game of cat and mouse with a supernatural killer, the human is always the mouse.

In I Am Not a Serial Killer we watched a budding sociopath break every rule he had to save his town from evil. In Mr. Monster we held our breath as he fought madly with himself, struggling to stay in control. Now John Cleaver has mastered his twisted talents and embraced his role as a killer of killers. I Don’t Want to Kill You brings his story to a thundering climax of suspicion, mayhem, and death.

It’s time to punish the guilty.

And in a town full of secrets, everyone is guilty of something.

 

 

 

 

My Review: To say I loved this book is putting it mildly. This book was amazing and I am happy to see that it is continuing. Mr. Wells has a life long fan now and I hope that's what he wanted . The third book is better than the previous two and I gushed over them. So continue to write Mr. Wells and I will continue to buy and read.

 

       The character in this book really grip you and pull you in, as a series it is my favorite one I have read in 2015 and I hope it goes on for another five years at least. I usually read series when all the books are out because, I hate waiting years to continue the series. Forgetting everything I have read in the books before because I am not much of a re-reader, but these characters have been burned into my memory and I will not forget them . When the series is completed I will re-read them just for fun in October in time for Halloween of that year. 

 

 

 

  

Review: Zombie Blondes

Zombie Blondes
Brian James
Feiwel & Friends

From Goodreads: From the moment Hannah Sanders arrived in town, she felt there was something wrong.
     A lot of houses were for sale, and the town seemed infected by an unearthly quiet. And then, on Hannah’s first day of classes, she ran into a group of cheerleaders—the most popular girls in school.
     The odd thing was that they were nearly identical in appearance: blonde, beautiful, and deathly pale.
     But Hannah wants desperately to fit in—regardless of what her friend Lukas is telling her: if she doesn’t watch her back, she’s going to be blonde and popular and dead—just like all the other zombies in this town. . . .

 

 

My Review: Okay, the cover pulled me in and I did read the synopsis. I was looking for some great zombie action in this book and that is not what happened. This book was Okay for me. I read this book and at first I was drawn in. It was set up pretty well and kept me reading and then I started to wonder when it was going to pick up and at points it did but then it fell off again. I trudged on because I do not "DNF" books. I will put the book down and try again later or give it a few days then pick it up again . I knew I would not pick this book up again so I finished this book. The felt the author could have done more with the premise of this book but sorry he didn't

Review: The Espressologist

 
The Espressologist
Kristina Springer
Square Fish

From Goodreads: What's your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you're lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it's a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it's not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane's Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She's the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?

 

 

 

My Review: I saw this book and must admit I loved the cover. So, as usual I picked it up without reading the synopsis. If I had read it I don't know if I would have picked it up. I am glad I did. This was a short ,quick, quirky, and cute read. The character development was lacking but what we do learn about Jane was quite interesting and her relationship with Cam could have been explored more, but for a change of pace I did enjoy this book and thought it was a sweet story

 

 

Review : Gone Girl

 

Gone Girl

Gillian Flynn

Broadway Books

 

From Goodreads: On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

 

 

 

My Review: All I can say about this book is Wow. What a rollercoaster ride of events and emotions. The love - hate relationship I had with these characters was amazing. Really helped me get out of a reading slump I was in, because the story just kept calling me. Both Nick and Amy are great characters well written and well developed. Amy thought is mind blowing. Strong and powerful not someone you will forget easily . I do not re-read many books but this one is going to be re-read by me  loved this book if I could give it more than 5 stars I would

 

Review: Second Star

 

Second Star

Alyssa B. Sheinmel

 Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

 

 

From Goodreads: A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary ocean side adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward Pete's nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete.

 

 

 

My Review: I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest review.

      I have been reading fairy tale retellings for a while and when I saw this one I said Yes. Peter Pan is one I have not seen before and I was drawn to it. I liked this book and the plot was good. Wendy looking for her twin brothers, surfers who are missing and assumed dead. Wendy not believing in their demise goes on a journey to find them. Then she meets Pete, Belle and Jas. I did squeal with joy every time I saw a reference to the old tale of Peter Pan and read on excitedly, but it was good enough and different enough that at moments you forget it is a retelling. Surfing instead of flying, biker bar and drugs. This was a radical retelling and I think the touch of new and old mixed well in this book . This was about to get a four star rating until the end. I was disappointed in the ending because the book just seemed to be begging for a sequel, but at last  it was not meant to be.





Review: Paranoia

 

Paranoia

J.R Johansson

Flux

 

 

 

From Goodreads: In the aftermath of the events that nearly killed him, Parker Chipp is trying to learn to cope better with life as a Watcher. And it seems to be working...until he wakes up in jail with a hangover and 12 hours of missing time. Darkness has somehow taken control and Parker doesn't have a clue how to stop him. He finds an unlikely ally in Jack, the mysterious guy in the motorcycle jacket who offers to help Parker master his abilities as a Watcher. But even as they practice, the darkness inside Parker is getting more and more powerful, taking over Parker’s body and doing everything he can to destroy Parker's life.

When Jack reveals that there is another kind of Night Walker, known as a Taker, Parker starts to wonder if the strange things happening in Oakville are more than just a coincidence. After all, people are more than just sleepwalking. They're emptying their savings accounts with no memory of doing so, wandering into strange parts of town and disappearing, they're even killing other people--all in their sleep. If Parker wants to find out what's happening or have any hope of seeing his father again, he’ll have to defy Jack and put his own life in danger...because the more he learns about these other Night Walkers, the more certain he becomes that his life isn't the only one that could be lost.

 

 



My Review:   I received this book from Netgalley and Flux for my honest review


This book was just as good as the first one. Jack is a new and amazing character, but to be honest I like all the characters in this series and I look forward to the third book too. I wonder how much more knowledge of what he is Parker can take,

Review : The Tyrant's Daughter

 

 

 

The Tyrant's Daughter
J.C Carleson
 Knopf Books for Young Readers

From Goodreads:When her father is killed in a coup, 15-year-old Laila flees from the war-torn middle east to a life of exile and anonymity in the U.S. Gradually she adjusts to a new school, new friends, and a new culture, but while Laila sees opportunity in her new life, her mother is focused on the past. She’s conspiring with CIA operatives and rebel factions to regain the throne their family lost. Laila can’t bear to stand still as an international crisis takes shape around her, but how can one girl stop a conflict that spans generations?

 

My Review: I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

     I was quite surprised that I liked this book as much as I did. I think the author did a wonderful job with the story, Laila struggle to adapt to American Culture while still trying to true to herself and her belief was interesting and I could understand her conflict. I would have like to see more about her coming to terms with who she knew as her father and how the world saw him, but  readers will understand how different her father was. Laila is a wonderful character who is strong, intelligent and interesting girl, a great quick and thought provoking read.

 

 









Review: Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold

 

 

 

Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold

Katie Finn

Feiwel & Friends

 

 

 

From Goodreads: The war rages on between Gemma and Hallie in the second installment of the Broken Hearts and Revenge series.

After the humiliating events on the 4th of July, Gemma's trying to handle the fact that Hallie knew who she was all along, and she was the one who stole Teddy from her. Gemma vows revenge, but things get more complicated than she planned. Ford, Gemma’s long-time crush, has arrived in the Hamptons cuter than ever. Josh is refusing to speak to her after she lied to him, and Teddy is playing champion to his beloved Marsh Warbler (in Gemma's backyard, no less).

Gemma and Hallie find themselves locked in an escalating revenge cycle. Just when Gemma thinks she has the upper hand, the biggest bombshell of all is dropped. And it’s one that threatens to change her life forever. This exciting sequel to Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things To Mend will leave you begging for the third installment.  

 

 My Review: I loved this sequel to the first book. Gemma and Hallie are back and up too their tricks and better than ever. I am so looking forward to the third book in this series. Not going into too much detail because I don't want to spoil this delightful, crazy and funny story.

 

    





Review : Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend

 

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend

Katie Finn

Feiwel & Friends

From Goodreads: Gemma had her summer all planned out, but it takes a sharp turn when she gets dumped and finds herself back in the Hamptons after a five-year absence.

Being there puts her at risk of bumping into Hallie, her former best friends (that is, before Gemma ruined her life). But people don't hold grudges forever. Do they?

Gemma intends on making amends, but a small case of mistaken identity causes the people she knew years ago—including Hallie and her dreamy brother, Josh—to believe she's someone else. As though the summer wasn't complicated enough already.

My Review: Every once in a while I read a contemporary story. I am luck that so far I have read some funny and interesting stories. This entertaining and laugh out loud book was my favorite so far. Gemma is a girl who I instantly understood and sympathize with. We have all done things when we were younger that we would change if we could, so I understood Gemma's desire to do just that.

I also felt for her when things started to get tougher for her. The ending of this book just begs for a sequel and I am so happy I am reading the second  book in this delightful trilogy .