Review: Asleep by. Wendy Raven McNair

Title: Asleep                                                           Author: Wendy Raven McNair
Age Range: 13+
Publication Date: April 23, 2009
Pages: 422
Genre: Romance, Heroes, supernatural
Rating: 10/10

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Adisa Summers doesn't know her boyfriend, Micah Alexander, can fly. Micah's odd emotionless behavior, rigid posture, and vacant eyes are a mystery sending mixed messages to Adisa. When a flash of lightning sends a tree crashing down on her, Adisa is shocked to see Micah actually flying to her rescue! In an instant, Adisa is in his arms, looking up at the sky over his shoulder as they fly parallel to the ground. Micah shifts, shielding her completely with his body. As the tree explodes against Micah's back, Adisa feels him shudder with the impact and the air fills with wood chips and sawdust. Miraculously, they aren't smashed into the ground. They safely continue flying. Micah finally begins to open up to Adisa about his secret life as a superbeing and she discovers another shocking secret. Micah burns for her--literally as well as figuratively. ASLEEP is a superhero teen love story setting modern day Atlanta that's filled with thrills, romance, and suspense. 


Initial Reaction: "Finally! Characters that remind me of myself, I can't wait."
End Reaction: "Sure Daimon's a bad boy, and Edward sparkles, but my new man Micah can fly!!!"

Review: Asleep combines the best of a hot romance, the teen angst of growing up, and the exciting and suspenseful supernatural aspects of novels that I love. Adisa is just living life. She goes by living in the shadow of her two perfect twin sisters, and finding solace in the childhood superheroes she has loved all her life. Then mysterious, fine as heck, and stoic Micah comes and begins to show the smallest, emotionless interest in her, does she begin looking outside the usual limits of her life.

Adisa rocks the house. She is such a silent force. Yeah she is quiet, but she has a strong as heck mind under all that silence. I love how through the book Adisa doesn't lose herself. In some books when I flip from the front to the back of the book after I finish it, I found that the main character seems to be two different people, but Adisa doesn't change, she grows. She comes out of her shell after finding a part of herself that she never knew was even in there.

 Micah, Micah, Micah... Tall, dark, fly me into the night Micah. What can I say, he is so close to perfect, while being no where near there, (if that makes sense). He has a really soft spoken personality that distinguishes him from the typical male characters in YA. Yet, he is always prepared to save the day when it comes to Adisa, even when the people he is saving her from are those closest to him. I am definitely looking forward to reading more and getting to better understand who Micah really is in the next book.

The entire plot of Asleep is something totally different. I don't even know if I should categorize it as paranormal, maybe I'll call it supernormal or parasuper (supernatural + paranormal???).  The entire superhero world Wendy McNair  has created is nothing like I have ever read before. Not just your typical paranormal vampires, werewolves, faeries Oh My. More along the lines of supernatural healers, fliers, people who have the ability to hurl fireballs from their hands. And not just the characters, this whole idea of a different superhero world with leaders, laws, courts, prophecy's and everything else right under the noses of all the normal people amazes me.
  
Everything about this books intrigues me. The intense yet shy romance between Micah and Adisa that I could actually see building and getting stronger and closer. The mystery that is Micah: his world, his family, and his very existence and how Adisa fits into it. Something I really loved about the book is how everything connected. That initial attraction between Micah and Adisa wasn't as initial as was thought; there is a background story to every mystery, which usually ends up opening a new mysteries.

Overall, I loved and adored this book so much. It was exciting, beautifully written, and has me checking everyday for word on the release of the sequel.

Recommendations:  I recommend this book to romance lovers, paranormal and fantasy lovers, mystery lovers, and those looking for a great addition to their POC Reading List!!!


Characters: 10/10 
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 10/10 
Entertainment: 10/10 
Ending: 10/10 
Writing Style: 10/10 
Cover: 10/10
 

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Posted in: african american,paranormal romance,POC Challenge,Series

Review: Need by. Carrie Jones

Title: Need                          
Author: Carrie Jones
Reading Level: 13+
Publication Date: December 2008
Pages: 306
Series: Captivate (sequal)
Rating: 9/10

Synopsis (BN.com): Zara White suspects there’s a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She’s also obsessed with phobias. And it’s true, she hasn’t exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane . . . but Zara’s pretty sure her mom just can’t deal with her right now.

She couldn’t be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara’s overactive imagination. In fact, he’s still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There’s something not right—not human—in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you’d have to fear.
  
Review: Need is a mesmoririzing tale of fairies and shapeshifters coupled with a truly unique story of paranormal romance.

Zara was one of the most unique characters I have ever read about. She just gets weirder and more interesting with each page. First off dealing with the death of a parent, and then having her mother ship her off across the country to help her cope has to be one of the hardest things to deal with. To top it all off there is a mysterious man followig her cross country and stealing little boys from Maine. Zara finds solace from all these mishapts in her life by reciting phobias, a weird obsession of hers.  Zara is a strong herorine. With all the dangers placed in front of her and all the time trying to move on with her life past her father's death. She still stands strong throughout the pages, and is willing to sacrifice herself for the sake of her loved ones. Though sometimes I find myself yelling at the book for her reckless decsions, I mean who runs towards the scary voice calling your name in the woods, I know I don't.

The story pulls together very well. There is always a linkage. From discovering the true reason her mother sent her to Maine, who her stepfather real is, who her new love interest Nick real is, and the identity of the mysterious man who has been following her and leaving no trace except for gold dust. I loved the shy romance between Nick and Zara, it was so cute and dangerous at the same time as they find out the dark secrets they have been hiding from eachouther. So much mysterious creatures, new identity's, shocking discoveries, in every page. 

The ending pretty much pulls the book together, but one solution leads to a new string of problems that I suspect will be the basis of the sequal. I recommend this book to all fans of paranormal, romance, and mystery books.

Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 10/10
Entertainment: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Total: 9/10 

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Posted in: paranormal romance,Review,Series

Review: Dead is the New Black

Title: Dead is the New Black                                           
Author: Marlene Perez
Reading Level: 12+
Publication Date: September 2008
Pages: 208
Series: Dead is so Last Year, Dead is a State of Mind
Rating: 8/10

Synopsis: Welcome to Nightshade, California; a small town full of secrets. It's home to the pyschic Giordano sisters, who have a way of getting mixed up in mysteries. During their investigations, they run across everything from pom-pom-shaking vampires to shape-shifting boyfriends to a clue-spewing jukebox. With their psychic powers and some sisterly support, they can crack any case.

Teenage girls are being mysteriously attacked all over town, including at Nightshade High School, where Daisy Giordano is a junior. When Daisy discovers that a vampire may be the culprit, she can't help but suspect head cheerleader Samantha Devereaux, who returned from summer break with a new look; Samantha appears a little . . . well, dead, and all the most popular kids at school are copying her style.

Is looking dead just another fashion trend for Samantha, or is there something 
more sinister going on? To find out, Daisy joins the cheerleading squad. 

Review: Dead is the New Black is a short but great read. When I picked up this book at my library, first off loved the title, but since it was so short, I anticipated a cute very light read. Although this book is small it packs a huge punch, that you will have no choice but to go pick up the rest of these books in a hurry!!!

The main thing I loved about this book was how the mystery and suspence never stopped. Marlene Perez adds a new elements throughout the book keeping you guessing and trying to figure out who did it before the main character. Daisy comes from a family of phycics, and being the only non-phycic she really wants to find a way to help her mom with the new case. When a bunch girls from the cheerleading squad at her school start coming on with mysterious illnesses, she decides to there's only one thing she can do to help; infiltrate. I loved Daisy throughout the book. She was a likeable character, althought I find a lot of her choices a little reckless, and daring, but they actually made me like her more.

The plot for this book was fast paced, but not rushed. Along with the attacks going on Daisy has to worry about her sister dating a werewolf, her mom still searching for their missing father whom Daisy is convinced ran off with another woman, and her new best friend who seems to be becoming more than a best friend. But all elements were pieced together tastefully. The author keeps you guessing and trying to decipher the clues, as a good suspence book should. Overall it was a very enjoyable read.

I dont usually read suspence, but I cant deny anything paranormal, and this book fit the two together perfectly. It had the mystery, and suspence, accompanied with a little romance on the side. This book was really an interesting read, and it was the perfect set up for the next book. I can tell the next books in the series will be even better now that all the characters have solid roles and seem more developed.

The only thing I didnt really like about the book was that there seemed to be a lack of setting development. I couldn't really understand how one minute her town is just the typical small town, and the second minute the news is reporting there is a soul life sucking vampire is on the loose and no one really gives it a second thought. I couldn't really understand how the paranomal element just seemed to fit in too perfectly without any speculation.

The ending of the book was good. The mystery was resolved but I stilled had more questions that I wanted answered which I suspect will be done in the next books!!!

I reccommend  this book to all fans of suspence, mystery, paranormal, romance, and a quick read.

Characters: 8/10
Plot: 7/10
Originality: 8/10
Entertainment: 9/10
Ending: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Cover: 8/10
Total: 8/10
 



 

 

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Posted in: paranormal romance,Review,Series

Waiting On Wednesday 6

The sequal to The Pace by Shelena Shorts. If you have not read the first book, you have to. I mean you really really do, it is awesome, one of my all time favorites. She just released the cover of the next book in the series, The Broken Lake. I love it, I love it , I love it!!! It is a beautiful cover and it compliments the cover for the first book ( below The Broken Lake cover) so well. Can't you just imagine how they'll look side by side on your bookshelf. Oh the beauty. I can't wait. If you haven't read or even heard of the first book, The Pace you can learn more about it on Shelena Short's Website  or on its Amazon.com page!!!

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Posted in: Series,Waiting On Wenesday

Review: Beautiful Creatures by. Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Creatures                                             
Author: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Reading Level: 12+
Publication Date: December 2009
Pages: 563
Series: Yes!!! Hopefully there will be a sequal.
Rating: 10/10  I know its rare!!!

Synopsis: There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Review:  I began reading this book with very high expectations, which usually isn't a good thing because it sets me up for dissapointment, but not in this case. Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl did not dissapoint with this enchanting tale of finding love in the dull town you wish to escape, and discovering that this dull town holds secrets you never dreamed of.
            First of all, this books was in a male perspective. Which from the begginning made me hesitant to read it. Nothing against guys, but I always thought a book would always be better told from a girls point of view. But not in this book, I cant imagine Beautiful Creatures being as great as it was without being told in Ethan's point of view. In romances, especially paranormal romances, there is always that aspect of the tall mysterious male love interest throughout the book. That is not lost in this book, as the mysterious male interest is now a female. I ended up loving Ethan from the beginning. His attitude towards his town, the death of the his mom, and his new love interest is fun to follow throughought the story. He was the most relatable character for me throughout the book. Lena was spectacular. She was a real herorine. Very mysterious and closed up, with a new secrect uncovered every chapter. Macon I still have to say is my favorite character. Although his isn't a main character, I couldnt help but love Lena's uncle throughout the story.
             From the beginning to the end there isn't a dull moment in this book. There is always something going on, always a new part of the mystery to unfold, and Ethan finds out the small and boring town that he grew up in isn't as it once seemed to him. From the newfound beings he discovers, to the magical powers and developments in Lena, this book is filled with new intrigue.
           The ending of this book was nothing short of phe·nom·e·nal!!! You think the rest of the book is good, get ready to be even more amazed as even more action comes in the ending. I cannot count how many times I gasped in shock, in the last few chapters. Back and forth between the new and old characters secrets revealed, identitys revealed, and shocking betrayals. The end left me falling off my bed, and desperate for a sequal.
          In the end, I know for sure this book will remain one of my favorites forever. I loved reading it all the way through, and will continue re-reading and re-reading until the sequal comes out (I have heard different things on whether or not there is going to be a sequal, so cross those fingers!!!). I reccommend this book to all fans of paranormal, romantic, suspence, and a book that will wow and amaze you days, weeks, months after you have finished reading it!!!



Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 10/10
Entertainment: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Total: 10/10





 

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Posted in: paranormal romance,Review,Series

Cover Crazinesss!!!

Sooooooo... I was just on goodreads minding my own buisness when I look down to the bottom right hand corner of the page and I see one of the most gorgeous or gorgeoust covers ever!!! Look look look!!!

 Imagine my surprise when I see that this is the new cover of Melissa Marr's 4th book in her Wicked Lovely Series. Even though I have only read the first book, and the second one has been in my too read pile for about 4 months now, I am super excited. And this cover. OMG it is beyond gorgeous. I love it, im a sucker for covers with a combo of black, blue and purple (my favorite colors). Its so beautiful, this is definately my favortite of all the covers in the series. Just gaze upon it as long as you want, no ones watching!!!

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Posted in: Cover Crazinesss,Series

Trailer Tuesady

  I have to credit Anastasia at Bird Brained Book Reviews for this meme.

Heres the Trailer for Shadowland by Alyson Noel!!!

Ohhh looks good doesn't it. And it was jusy released!!!

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Posted in: Series,Trailer Tuesday

What??? When??? No One Told Me!!!

So I was checking my blogroll and I saw that Eleni from  /- LA FEMME READERS -/  just posted an interview with Simone Elkeles. I checked it out and lo and behold what I found out. Simon Elkeles is in the process of writing a sequel to Perfect Chemestry.

Did anybody else know this?!?! A sequel. I mean when I read the book, which was majorly awesome in a big way, there wasnt a cliff-hanger. There was even a forshadowing of Alex's and Brittany's lives 30 years later. And here I hear about a sequal. How awwwwesssommme!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear  more about Alex's and Brittany's lives!!! The name of this sequel is Rules of Attraction. This is so exciting. Imagine your favorite stand alone novel all of a sudden had a sequel, or turned into a trilogy. Haa, now you understand my excitement. If anyone has read this book they know what I mean. She is also working on a sequal to her novel Leaving Paradise. Which I havent read but plan on getting right on that. Head over to her website for more details!!!

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Posted in: Series