Review : Game (Jasper Dent # 2)

Game (Jasper Dent # 2)

Barry Lyga

Little Brown Books for Young Readers

 From Goodreads: I Hunt Killers introduced the world to Jazz, the son of history’s most infamous serial killer, Billy Dent.

In an effort to prove murder didn’t run in the family, Jazz teamed with the police in the small town of Lobo’s Nod to solve a deadly case. And now, when a determined New York City detective comes knocking on Jazz’s door asking for help, he can’t say no. The Hat-Dog Killer has the Big Apple–and its police force–running scared. So Jazz and his girlfriend, Connie, hop on a plane to the big city and get swept up in a killer’s murderous game.


My Review: I loved this book just as good as the first one and want, no need the third one. With each pulse pounding page I could not get enough of this story. Jasper is back and better than ever. In the Big Apple trying to help solve murders that seem to be calling him out. I could not catch my breath reading this book. I was at the edge of my seat and begging for more. What an amazing story . WOW is all I can say. Barry Lyga is now my favorite Y/A writer.

Review : Mortal Danger

Mortal Danger

Ann Aguirre

Square Fish

From Goodreads: Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.

In one short summer, her entire life changes and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly . . . bad things are happening. It's a head rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who—or what—she can trust. Not even her own mind.


My Review: I really enjoyed the story in this book. Engrossing and at points quite disturbing. The only problem I had with it really is the whole transformation thing. I think in a time where we tell our young people it is okay to be you and look the way you do its message was a little harsh. Don't get me wrong I know kids are still bullied by other for stupid reasons and we want nothing more than revenge on them. This book deals with that and as  Edie gets her revenge,  at what consequences to her. This book keeps you guessing and begs the question is it worth it? This is a series I am going to continue.

Review: Black Ice

Black Ice

Becca Fitzpatrick

Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

From Goodreads: Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late.

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

My Review: This was a fact paced thrilling book. Intended for older mature young adults but still good for the older reader too. I enjoy a good mystery of who done it and this book provided that with just the right amount of doubt mixed in. Keeps you guessing and cheering for each little victory Britt has against her captors. My first Becca Fitzpatrick book but looking forward to more.

Review : Possess

 

Possess

Gretchen McNeil

Balzer & Bray

 From Goodreads : 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. The monsignor 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.  

My Review: This book was interesting and very different from other books I have read. There are parts of this enthralling story that just creeps the heck out of you and the ending caught me off gaurd but this book was delightful and captivating. I was pulled in from the first chapter and continued riding the roller coaster of fear and releif all the way to the end. The characters were wonderfully written with complex detail but also with flaws you would relate too. Bridget was such a strong girl, but trying to live a normal life is impossible when her gift gets in the way. She is also not afraid to express her feeling about her gift and how she wishes she did not posses them. Okay she whined about it but as the story goes on you can understand her unhappiness. Over all a great story and will read more from Gretchen McNeil 



Blg Tour: Omen Operation

 

Omen Operation
by Taylor Brooke
Release Date: January 26th 2016
Limitless Publishing

Summary:

After an epidemic spreads through the country, Brooklyn Harper’s high school years come to an abrupt end.

Implanted in a rural camp, Brooklyn and her friends are cut off from their families and the outside world. Each day is filled with combat training to assure their safety against the crazed, belligerent, and deadly— those infected with a mysterious virus.

If the world couldn’t get any crazier, a letter ups the insanity...

After being assured day after day that the world outside their little camp had been compromised, Brooklyn’s cabin-mate, Dawson Winters, finds a letter that turns everything they’d known upside down. There is a world outside the trees that surrounds their camp, and the virus they all feared seems non-existent.

Determined to see it herself, Brooklyn plots with others to attempt an escape...

 

 



On the outside, Brooklyn finds the world is as normal as ever. But when they are attacked in the city, they dispose of their attackers far more efficiently than any normal human.. Is there more to Brooklyn and her friends then just being highly trained?

As their exploration continues, the group is faced with impossible feats. Betrayal, love, death, and a powerful sense of camaraderie lead Brooklyn and her friends to fight for their life, their freedom, and most of all, each other.

My Review:  This book is so action packed from page one I could not stop reading it. Brooklyn is an amazing character who I admired for her straight forwardness and kick ass ways. She made the book a wonderful and compelling story. The action helped too, never ending and so riveting I really enjoyed this book and need to continue this amazing series.

 








About the Author

Taylor Brooke is the author of the upcoming sci-fi adventure trilogy The Isolation Series. She started out as a freelance makeup artist, and quickly discovered her love of elves, zombies, mermaids, kaiju, and monsters of all kinds. After receiving eight professional certifications in special effects makeup, working on countless projects, and fleshing out a multitude of fantastical creatures, she turned her imagination back to her one true love- books. Taylor has had a knack for writing since she was a little girl, and received recognition for her skills throughout grade school and junior college. When she’s not nestled in a blanket typing away on her laptop, she can be found haunting the local bookstore with a cup of steaming hot tea in her hands, scanning the shelves for new reads, or hiking one of the many mountains that surround her home in Oregon.

Author Links:




 


Review: The Devil's Only Friend



The Devil's Only Friend

Dan Wells

Tor Books

 

 

From Goodreads: John Wayne Cleaver hunts demons: they've killed his neighbors, his family, and the girl he loves, but in the end he's always won. Now he works for a secret government kill team, using his gift to hunt and kill as many monsters as he can...

...but the monsters have noticed, and the quiet game of cat and mouse is about to erupt into a full scale supernatural war.

John doesn't want the life he's stuck with. He doesn't want the FBI bossing him around, he doesn't want his only friend imprisoned in a mental ward, and he doesn't want to face the terrifying cannibal who calls himself The Hunter. John doesn't want to kill people. But as the song says, you can't always get what you want. John has learned that the hard way; his clothes have the stains to prove it.

When John again faces evil, he'll know what he has to do.
The Devil's Only Friend is the first book in a brand-new John Wayne Cleaver trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Dan Wells.

 

 

 

My Review: I was thriller to find out Dan Wells was continuing the story of John Cleaver, such a complete and interesting character. John struggle with his psychopath side is one you hope he wins, but you have come to understand his struggle is real. After losing everyone he loves he leaves his home town and joins up with the FBI to track the monsters., but longs to be on his own and track down the monsters. This was a great book and if Dan Wells wants to write about John Cleaver for the rest of his life I will read them for the rest of mine. I never have found a character I enjoy so much. Well written and fast paced now I can't wait for the next book. This series is underrated but I am glad too be one of its loyal fans.

Review:The Red Bishop

The Red Bishop

Greg Boose

 Full Fathom Five Digital

 

 

From Goodreads: Lake Price isn’t your average teenage girl.

Sure, she and her friends are doing what many other high school kids do on Cape Cod: heading to Chatham Manor—nicknamed “Hell”—for a good scare. But for Lake, it's more than just a thrill-seeking game. It’s what keeps her alive.

Ever since her brother, Kimball, disappeared four years ago, Lake has needed the danger and the fear to feel anything but numb.

But on this night, “Hell” has more in store for Lake than she ever anticipated: A handsome stranger from the 17th century, a modern love triangle, a coven of witches, a hint that Kimball may still be alive… and the start to something that only she can finish.

 

 

My Review:  I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, Full Fathom Five and Greg Boose

 

        I enjoy a good horror story and this one was so descriptive and at times terrifying that it hit the spot. Lake is an amazing character who is focused on one mission to save her brother, even with hints of  love triangle Lake is true to her main goal.  This book was so compelling that I did not want to put it down. I lost hours of sleep because  was so entranced in the story. Witches are not something I usually read about but this book has changed my mind. I look forward to reading more from Mr. Boose,he kept me captivated till the end. 

 

 

 

 



Review: Threats of Sky and Sea



Threats of Sky and Sea

Jennifer Ellision

Createspace

 

 

From Goodreads : Sixteen year-old Breena Perdit has spent her life as a barmaid, innocent to her father’s past and happily free from the Elemental gifts that would condemn her to a life in the Egrian King’s army. Until the day that three Elemental soldiers recognize her father as a traitor to the throne and Bree’s father is thrown in jail—along with the secrets from his last mission as the King’s assassin. Secrets that could help the King win a war. Secrets he refuses to share.

Desperate to escape before the King’s capricious whims prove her and her father’s downfall, Bree bargains with him: information for their lives. It’s a good trade. And she has faith she’ll get them both out of the King’s grasp with time.

But that was before the discovery that she’s the weapon the King’s been waiting for in his war.

Now, time is running out. To save her father’s life and understand her own, Bree must unravel the knot of her father’s past before the King takes his life– and uses her to bring a nation to its knees.    

 

 

 

My Review: I received  a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author Jennifer Ellision and Netgalley.

 

 

This book was well written and the story is so fast paced you just seem to start it and it is over. I was sad to see this end so soon, but look forward to the next book. I was immersed in the story right away. Feeling like I was beside Breena in the woods as the story opened. Breena is a wonderful character who has all the values you want a young girl to have, She is smart, hard working devoted daughter and she has a conscience. She does not stand by and let things happen to others she takes action. Her love for her father is another wonderful aspect of the story that I enjoyed. The dynamics of their relationship was something I have not seen in many books but something I always look for when reading stories with my children.

 

  Jennifer Ellision has created characters and a world I am looking forward to returning too soon.

 

 

 



Review: The Truth Spell



The Truth Spell ( Werewolf High 1)

Anita Oh

 

 

 From Goodreads: As soon as I stepped onto the grounds of Amaris High, I knew I'd made a big mistake. I could never fit in at such a snobbish school – I was more IT girl than "it girl". But then I saw him.

Sam Spencer. My childhood best friend. But it couldn't be. Sam Spencer had died three years ago, on the night that changed everything. I need to know what happened, why he's suddenly not dead and is hanging out with a bunch of rich kids.

When the school is hit by a truth spell, it seems like the perfect chance to find out what Sam and his creepy new friends are hiding, but the weirder things get, the less I'm sure I want to know. Even for Sam, even for the free food, Amaris High might be more trouble than it's worth.

 

 

 

My Review: I found this book extremely entertaining and fast paced. Told in the first person by Lucy an interesting and intelligent girl, who helps support her family by fixing electronics. Strong and unique characters propel you to continue reading  . This is a well written and the world building thrust you into the middle of the student body making you feel like a student yourself. Just as you feel you have unpacked you bags, the rollercoaster takes off, with twists and turns you don't see coming. Great mystery and fantasy mixed into one looking forward to the second book.

 

 

I want to thank YA Bound Book Tours for this copy for review

 

 

 

 



Review : Grimm Legacy



A Grimm Legacy

Jenna Jennings

Patchwork Press

 

 

From Goodreads: 

 

   The woods of Elorium appear ordinary to Andi… until the birds start to talk and elves answer doors. Whisked out of her world along with three strangers, Andi finds herself the reluctant guest of Mr. Jackson, a perplexing millionaire who claims to be able to help them get home. The secrets he harbors, however, make it difficult to know just who to trust.

When the group of teenagers discover that in this new world, fiction is anything but, and that they all have unexpected family ties to this fairy tale land, they must learn to rely on each other. The only way to survive evil fairies and giants intent on keeping them in Elorium is to rely on each other.

Faced with characters short on whimsy and bent toward treachery, Andi, Quinn, Fredrick, and Dylan are forced to play their parts in unfinished fairy tales. But in Elorium , happily ever after is never guaranteed.

 

 

 

 

My Review:

                I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley ,Jenna Jennings and Patchwork Press.

 

 

This book was wonderfully written and the plot was unique and fun. To have family ties to all the old fairy tales we here growing up would be wonderful, but to be pulled back into those fairy tales would not. This book takes a look at what happens when the story ends..... or do they???? As you read you see characters that I remember from childhood in a darker and different light than we did so many years ago. Realizing  maybe living in fairy tales is not happily ever after....  There is more to the story.   This takes the live of four modern and very different kids and throws them together in a world they have only heard about. Having no idea why they have been taken or who they really are makes this story a compelling read. The world built by the author Is very enchanting and you are transported there by the wonderful writing. I am looking forward to reading the second book.

 

 

 



Review: Somebody on this Buss is Going to be Famous



Some Boy On This Bus Is Going To Be Famous !

J. B. Cheaney

 Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

 

 

 

From Goodreads :  

 

 

 

          Nine ordinary kids ride the same yellow school bus every day-but only one of them is about to be famous.

Each of the nine students on Mrs. B's school bus holds a clue to the mystery of the empty bus stop. Spencer's the smart kid. Shellly's the diva. Matthew's just average (so far). In fact, there's nothing about any of the nine middle-schoolers on Mrs. B's bus route that screams "fame," but before the end of the school year, somebody on this bus is going to be famous.

 

 

My Review:

          I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I would also like to thank the author and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky  

 

 

  This was a delightful read and different. I have never read a book with nine different perspectives before and thou I though it would be confusing and I would get everyone mixed up. I did not because each character is unique and memorable in their own way. With mystery and action laced through out the story this was a wonderful tale and entertaining read. I must admit I did try to guess who was going to be famous and guessed wrong every time I still enjoyed the adventure and the story of these nine kids pulling together and saving the day when it matters. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: Flunked

 



Flunked

Jen Calonita

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

 

 

 

From Goodreads : Full of regret, Cinderella's wicked stepmother, Flora, has founded the Fairy Tale Reform School with the mission of turning the wicked and criminally mischievous into upstanding members of Enchantasia.

Impish, sassy 12-year-old Gilly has a history of petty theft and she's not too sorry about it. When she lifts a hair clip, she gets tossed in reform school-for at least three months. But when she meets fellow students Jax and Kayla, she learns there's more to this school than its sweet mission. There's a battle brewing and she starts to wonder: can a villain really change?

 

 

 

My Review: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest review, I would like to also thank Jen Calonita and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.

 

 

To call this book a fairy tale retelling would not do this wonderful and delightful book justice. This is a fairy tale on its own. Combining several fairy tales and creating a magical world after all the happily ever after's, this amazing story introduces us to a new hero and her name is Gilly. I was delighted to see a middle grade book with such a caring and strong willed character that stands up for what she believes in and faces peril for her friends. This book give younger female reader a unique role model to admire. If we read fairy tales to our youngest children to give them hope, we certainly need to read this with middle graders to encourage them.

 

 

 

 

 

Review: Sleepers

Sleepers

Megg Jensen

DarkSide Publishing



From Goodreads: An adoptee raised in a foreign land, sixteen-year-old Lianne was content with her life as handmaiden to the queen, until a spell cast on her at birth activated. Now she's filled with uncontrollable rage and access to magic she thought had been bled from her people years ago. Even her years of secret training in elite hand-to-hand combat and meditation can’t calm the fires raging inside her.

Her heart is torn between two boys, the one she’s always loved and the one who always ignored her. But when the kingdom threatens to tear itself apart due to rumors surrounding the queen’s alleged affair, who will Lianne protect and who will she destroy?  




My Review:  I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the author Megg Jensen and the publisher, DarkSide Publishing.
   This book was enjoyable to read. Full of non-stop action and some romance and suspense. This book kept me guessing till the end who to trust. I really enjoyed Leanne's strong will and the struggle she faces as her life takes an unexpected turn at the age of sixteen. Her inner turmoil with her struggle to find the truth of her people is as believable as the love triangle. Well written and deals wonderfully with the human emotions that I don't see in most books. This was a fast, quick and enjoyable read.

 

Review: I Hunt Killers

I Hunt Killers

Barry Lyga

Little Brown And Company

From Goodreads: What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?  

My Review:  Okay, get ready now because I am going too gush. LOVED this story. I have had this book on my shelf since it was released and was waiting for the third book to start them because I knew I would want to marathon them and I was right to wait. This book blew me away and kept me wanting more. I am a big fan of adult mysteries that feature a serial killer and was not expecting to find the same in young adult but this book has done it. At times I forgot that this was considered a YA book I was pulled into the story and did not want to stop reading, I could not stop reading. What an amazing psychological thriller and mystery that will keep anyone reading for hours. If I could give this more than 5 stars I would have.



Review: You Suck



You Suck

Christopher Moore

Haper

 

 

 

From Goodreads: Being undead sucks. Literally.

Just ask C. Thomas Flood. Waking up after a fantastic night unlike anything he's ever experienced, he discovers that his girlfriend, Jody, is a vampire. And surprise! Now he's one, too. For some couples, the whole biting-and-blood thing would have been a deal breaker. But Tommy and Jody are in love, and they vow to work through their issues.

But word has it that the vampire who initially nibbled on Jody wasn't supposed to be recruiting. Even worse, Tommy's erstwhile turkey-bowling pals are out to get him, at the urging of a blue-dyed Las Vegas call girl named (duh) Blue.

And that really sucks.

 

 

 

 

My Review:  When I read this I had just finished the first book so this had a lot to live up too, and it delivers. I laughed just as much as the first. Vampires that are slackers is a wonderful take on the aristocratic vampires we all have read before. I must give Christopher Moore credit taking a romance , paranormal and action into one book but keeping it amazingly funny and witty. I enjoyed the new characters as well as the old in this sequel and look forward to reading the third book this year. Fast and easy read that is well written and keeps the pages turning till the end. I am now a fan of Mr. Moore and look forward to reading his other series also.