Review: Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick



My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis:
The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever

Review:
I just finished it this morning! This means I read all three books in two days, and I even read this book while I was cooking and during the adverts of my TV shows!

So far, this is the best book of the series. If Crescendo didn’t hit you like Hush, Hush then this is definitely worth it.The story is amazing and brings together all the little hangy bits that have been left so far.

Nora grew up, plain and simple. During her months away and subsequent amnesia she lost all her fears and I think this alone perfected her character to be who we all wanted her to be. Strong, independent, opinionated (more than usual) and, most importantly, rational. Gone are all the uppity, selfish moments. She finally comes into her own and accepts what is happening around her. This is made even more difficult for her because she has to learn everyone’s secrets all over again.

Patch was amazing. I loved the chemistry so much more with these two. Becca really went to town on the tension this time and towards the end I was really hoping for… but anyway!

I truly felt like I could associate with Nora finally. She hates all the right people and accepts all the right people. She re-forms her friendship with Scott without worrying what Patch will think. She makes Patch understand it’s platonic and everything works out between them.

The ending was a surprise (again!) but I’m so glad it turned this way.

Yay for Nora and Patch!!!!




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Review: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Synopsis:
Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn’t been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts

Review:

When a book makes you really mad its because you really get involved with the storyline, or you really hate the story – full stop.

In this case, I really loved the storyline. I got SO mad at Nora countless times and finally saw the petulant teenager coming out that we weren’t exposed to so much in the first book.

Don't get me wrong. I love Nora. I wanted to find out how she would grow as a character and what would happen with Patch. Boy, was I in for a surprise?

Firstly we experience Nora’s emotional tantrums with Patch when he won’t tell her what his involvement is with Marcie. And for a fallen angel who’s …. years old, why exactly should he tell her? This makes her mad on numerous occasions, so much so that she asks him to quit being her guardian angel. Of course, we all know that no matter what happens, Patch will always have her back but it’s an exciting journey that we travel along with Nora’s POV. She also has her mind taken off Patch when Scott turns up. I was half expecting him to be gay, especially when he arrived at the dinner with a muscle ‘gym’ t-shirt and pink cap! I think the book description is misleading because I felt that Nora, in no way, fell for Scott!

So on to Patch. I didn’t like him much in the first book but the more I got into the story the more I liked him. As written earlier he’s old, so dealing with petty teenage emotions must have been a drain on him and no wonder he turned away. Except he turned to Marcie and although we see the story through Nora’s eyes, between the lines we can tell that Patch is only looking after Marcie and nothing is really emotionally going on. I liked Patch more when right at the last minute (and in only a handful of words) we realise that Patch saved Nora in the end.

Rixon really surprised me. I really wanted a strong settled relationship to happen with Vee and although it seemed headed in that direction the ending shot down and overturned everything I’d accepted to be true which just goes to show what exceptional storytelling the author gave us.

All in all, I was hoping to head in one direction but the truth is although I wanted to find out more regarding Nora’s father it wasn’t my hope that it would be the major storyline. Having said that, it all hangs in the balance now for a perfect book 3.




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Review: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick



My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a tough review for me as I'm currently sitting on the fence about a few issues with this book. Firstly, here's the ...

Synopsis
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
Review:
So. Firstly I liked Nora. She's a well grounded, inquisitive sixteen year old. Her friend Vee is a little OTT with all the sexual innuendo. Certainly if she was my friend I'd be telling her to shut up and accept me as I am. Vee Sky acts a little bit manipulative on occassions which I didn't think a best friend would really do. She certainly didn't treat Nora's opinion with grace.

Patch, as a leading male, is who I'm on the fence about. I've read a few reviews and LOTS of reviews gush about him. But I think he's a little bit too manipulative also. For most of the book I couldn't work out (through the authors descriptive writing) whether he was a good guy or bad guy. The switching of minds and opinions really through me. Even at the end I wasn't sure what EXACTLY was going on. So it troubles me that Nora could fall for a guy who chased her around a car in the car park, and then was rough with her at the motel. That kind of roughness doesn't sit well with me, nor should it have a place in a Young Adult book unless it holds a deeper warning for teenagers.

There were lots of religious references which didn't really come to much. But the actual Prologue and development of the story didn't really materialise until the end which I think could have been utilised more during the filler part of the story.

I'm giving this book a 4 but I think it's really a 3.5. There were a few unanswered questions that have been left hanging and I'm fine with that. But what really let this book down was the ending. To gloss over the whole 'what happened' when she finds herself back in her bedroom took away the whole flow of what could have been a gripping finale. Shame.

I'm reading Crescendo now. Review will be soon!



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Review: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND HARLEQUIN FOR ALLOWING ME TO REVIEW THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION


I really enjoyed this book. Many reviews have so far questioned the character building or world building but for me the main pulling power was the overall story.

Avry is interesting as a female protagonist. A 20 year old, on the run due to her ability to heal, and running out of options. One night she heals a baby suffering from the plague that has hit the town but the parents turn her in. From then on Avry has the biggest of adventures, but the underlying truth is that she’s going to die, so it’s what she does with the time that she has that matters.

The characters are all enjoyable. You notice a softer side to Kerrick occasionally but want to slap him most of the time. Only because you understand how he feels about Avry before he does. The lads in the gang are all fun. I felt bad when Flea died and suffered as they did.

The introduction of Tohon was interesting. I would have liked a little bit more development on his part because I wanted to believe that underneath all the evil there might be someone worth saving (from himself).

The ending was a little sudden but still enjoyable and I’m glad Avry found two more healers in the end.

Based in a fantasy/medieval world Touch of Magic was a great read. I found the flow easy and non-jerky, and loved the modern language of it all. Sometimes other books in this genre are bogged down with too much description but Snyder has the steady pace and descriptions in equal measure.

Definitely read it. It’s well worth your time. Now I want to read more of her books!



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Review: Crave by Melissa Darnell


Crave by Melissa Darnell

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Teen for allowing me to review this book.

4 out of 5

Synopsis:
Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.
For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

Review:


So the two warring factions, Vampires and Witches (the Clann) have both agreed to a Treaty. The Vampires stay away from the Clann and vice- versa. Except a miracle happens and a vampire and witch have a child (about a billion to one probability).

Savannah has grown up in the same town all her life. In 4th grade her best friends were the Clann’s sons and daughter’s, when suddenly, after a mock wedding between Savannah and Tristan, they’re all told by their parents to stay away from the ‘Colbert’ girl.

From here on in, Savannah makes her own life away from the Clann and leads a relatively normal life at that. Except she feels a stabbing pain in her stomach whenever Tristan is nearby. Bloodlust? Witchy charms? Or just a love connection? This is the story of Crave.

If you love a 15 year olds High School Paranormal Romance then this book is for you. If you prefer something a little older, then you’ll hate this book.

The premise of the story is great and Savannah really draws you into her world. We also get to read what happens from Tristan’s POV also which is a nice touch.

The pros of the story are these. It’s a nice, sweet story. Nothing major happens until near the end. The build up is steady and Savannah is not the kind of girl to break rules set by her family. She even gets the boy in the end but at a price.

The cons. Well, there’s a few story issues, or just issues, I can’t decide which. Firstly, the eye-gaze thing. Can you really go out with a boy for 5 months and NEVER look him in the eye? When you catch someone’s attention its eyes all the way for me. And it’s not just the guy she dated. She doesn’t look at anyone in the eye. Wouldn’t someone be trying to get you to the nearest eye specialist if you never looked at anyone properly?
This part of the story troubled me because we evolve through life learning to judge people’s actions and reactions from eye contact so if you never looked anyone in the eye how do you learn.

The second thing for me was while I enjoyed the story (and didn’t go to school in the US) the normal everyday stuff seemed to take up too much space. Just walking up stairs to set up for the Charmers, the dancing thing, and the Manager stuff. It was all a bit too much of …ordinary. Some of this could have been cut out I’m sure, but instead we’re left with reading someone’s everyday diary instead of a paranormal romance.

That being said I DID enjoy this book and would be keen to read the next one. The writing is okay but not outstanding. I wanted to feel a little more emotion from Savannah but I guess because she’s so young, maybe she doesn’t understand her own emotions yet? Especially as she’s part witch, part vampire and in love with the enemy…..cb



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Review of Shattered Dreams by Ellie James


Shattered Dreams by Ellie James
3 out of 5

Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She is special. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late.

Trinity arrives on her aunt’s doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she’s seen.

But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica’s disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She is kind-of dating Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario.

Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her.

Review:

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book.

I’ve just finished the book and I need to write this review straight away so I remember all the points.

Firstly, the story is about Trinity. A girl whose family lived in New Orleans but shortly after her parent’s death was brought up by her grandmother in the mountains. At the point we start with, Trinity isn’t actually aware of how strong her powers are. It takes her Aunt Sara to explain the ins and outs of her visions, and explain that it’s hereditary.

The reason I wanted to review this book was that it sounded like a good thriller come ghost story, and that’s how it started. Some friends all enter an old decrepit house and begin truth or daring each other. Jessica, not a friend of Trinity’s, disappears later and that’s when Trinity starts to receive visions that may help find her.

The first thing I want to say about this book is how jumpy the story was. I don’t know whether it was the formatting of the Arc I read, but one minute she was narrating about something, then the next line about another completely different situation. This made the story a little disjointed.

Going back to the jumpy, it isn’t the only word I’d use. The other is ‘vague’. I know books, especially YA books tend to be this way now but everything about the story was vague. The writing style of the author is interesting but I could never quite pinpoint exactly what was happening, especially with Trinity.

I think this is why it was really hard to grasp the characters. They had no depth, no personality. We know Amber was a bit of a cow, but what was all that about Pitre?? He left me completely confused. At one point I didn’t know whether he was confessing or pinning Trinity to the floor, or probably both.

Mostly it comes down to the narrative which was too much and overly expressive. Page after page of saying the same thing. And every time Chase was around Trinity, she just melted, wanting to be in his arms etc. Come on, girl! Get a little back bone! Honestly, apart from her liaison with Dylan, which I did find interesting (probably the only character I liked), her romancing was dull.

I didn’t gel with this book one bit. The interspersing of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina made it readable, but I would recommend it and would like to know others opinions of it.