Review: The Fallen Omnibus, Vol 2 (The Fallen #3 & 4) by Thomas E. Sniegoski

Summary-

Destined for Heaven or Hell? The saga continues from THE FALLEN 1.

Aaron’s senior year has been anything but typical. Half-angel and half-human, he has been charged to reunite the Fallen with Heaven. But the leader of the Dark Powers is determined to destroy Aaron—and all hope of angelic reconciliation.
Struggling to harness the incredible force within him, Aaron trains for the ultimate battle. With the Dark Powers building in strength and numbers, their clash may come sooner than he expects. And everyone who’s ever mattered to Aaron is now in grave danger.
Aaron must protect the girl he loves and rescue the only family he’s ever known. Because if he can’t save them from the Dark Powers, how can he hope to save the Fallen?

Review-
Continuing the story of Aaron, the Nephilim savior of the fallen angels of earth, no one emotion was spared. I laughed, cried, jumped, and raged, and kept turning page after page. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in angel lore, or in a good fast paced story. And as for Aaron's father, he might be the last person you expected.


Publisher-Simon Pulse
Reviewer Rating: 5 STARS!
Reviewed by~James Cross (Student at Franklin High School)

~Thank you to the author for the donation of this book to the Read for your future book program!~

Review: Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie (Books of Faerie #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

Summary-

In this mesmerizing sequel to Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception, music prodigy James Morgan and his best friend, Deirdre, join a private conservatory for musicians. James' musical talent attracts Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. Composing beautiful music together unexpectedly leads to mutual admiration and love. Haunted by fiery visions of death, James realizes that Deirdre and Nuala are being hunted by the Fey and plunges into a soul-scorching battle with the Queen of the Fey to save their lives.

Review-

Once again this author surprises me, with her imaginative writing and twisting plot. Making this a wickedly delicious Faerie Tale. It grabs you by the hand and leads you into the middle of the Fey world. Once you step into the Faerie ring it is very hard to stop dancing and step out again. I love the way you lose yourself in this story. Never a dull moment. Loaded with magical adventure. Intensely complex characters play out their parts wonderfully. Even the not so nice ones. A brilliant mixture of magical music, myths, legends and a highly intoxicating love story. I started reading and six short hours later, to my amazement, I was at the end of the journey. I could not put it down. Very recommended. Lament & Balled are must reads!

Publisher-Flux

Reviewer Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewed by~Mechele

~Thank you to the publisher for the donation of this book to the Read for your future book program!~

Review: Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception (Books of Faerie #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Summary-

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind . . .

Lament is a dark faerie fantasy that features authentic Celtic faerie lore, plus cover art and interior illustrations by acclaimed faerie artist Julia Jeffrey.

Review-

Wonderful! Excellent writing. Now I remember why this is one of my favorite authors. A beautiful and vibrant Faerie Tale. I got lost in this story. I picked it up and before I even realized it, I was at the end of the book. I love the descriptive way the author puts her stories together. Her characters come across as so believable. I am always totally riveted by the complexity of the characters personalities. Part magical love story, part Faerie lore an all fantasy. I really like the way the old traditions meet the contemporary settings. Anyone who likes legends, myths, magic, and heart thumping adventure will love this musically intoxicating read.

Publisher-FLUX
Reviewer Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by~Mechele

~Thank you to the Publisher for donating this book to the Read for your future book program!~

Review: Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1) by Josephine Angelini

Summary-

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.



Review-
I think this is a good book. An interesting read. I just feel that there is something a little flimsy about it. Not quite as strong as it could have been. The characters are interesting and enchanting. And As for the

storyline itself, I like it. Mystery & Mythology is among my favorite things to read about. Forbidden love is always a factor in a gripping, fast paced, page turning plot. I did not know what to expect when I picked this book up. I am glad I decided to dive in and go for it. A unique read. If you like the whole Greek God scene then you will love this one.

Publisher-HarperTeen
Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars

Reviweed by~Mechele

~Thank you to Harper Teen for the donation of this book to the Read for your future program!~

Review: Jonas (Beautiful Dead #1) by Eden Maguire

Summary-

Something strange is happening in Ellerton High. Phoenix is the fourth teenager to die within a year. His street fight stabbing follows the deaths of Jonas, Summer and Arizona in equally strange and sudden circumstances.

Rumours of ghosts and strange happenings rip through the small community as it comes to terms with shock and loss. Darina,Phoenix's grief-stricken girlfriend, is on the verge. She can't escape her intense heartache, or the impossible apparitions of those that are meant to be dead. And all the while the sound of beating wings echo inside her head! And then one day Phoenix appears to Darina.
Ecstatic to be reunited, he tells her about the Beautiful Dead. Souls in limbo, they have been chosen to return to the world to set right a wrong linked to their deaths and bring about justice. Beautiful, superhuman and powerful, they are marked by a 'death mark' - a small tattoo of angel's wings. Phoenix tells her that the sound of invisible wings beating are the millions of souls in limbo, desperate to return to earth.Darina's mission is clear: she must help Jonas, Summer, Arizona, and impossibly, her beloved Phoenix, right the wrong linked to their deaths to set them free from limbo so that they can finally rest in peace. Will love conquer death? And if it does, can Darina set it free?

Review-

This book put a whole new twist on zombies. I was honestly back and forth about this book at times. I love it, I hate it, I love it, I hate it....you get the picture. This book is very slow at times. I also don't think their is enough action in this book. In the beginning Darina is just so...Me,me,me...It got annoying at the few points then it died out and she quit. By the end of this book I was shocked at what happened. I didn't want the book to end. Of course it did though. I'm hopeful part two will be better. I need less talk and more action. (Oh and this summary needs to be shortened!!! It makes my review look bad! :) lol)

Publisher-Hodder Children's Books
Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars!
Reviewed by~Sarah

~Thank you to the author for the donation of this book to Read for your future!~

Gratitude Giveaways Blog Hop

I am grateful for all my followers. SOOOO

I am giving away a 25 Dollar giftcard for Amazon. Must be a follower!

Review: Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Summary-

My wish is to fall

cranium over Converse
in dizzy, daydream-worthy
love.
When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.
By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? can you even know it until you've lost it?
Love and Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl’s journey navigating family, friends, and love, and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole.

Review-
I can really relate to this book because I have been the EXACT situation as Marcie (the main character). I really hurt a lot of people and i blamed it on everyone but me. I recommend this book to any high school student. This book I would read over and over because it means so much. I understand it all toooo well.

Publisher-HarperCollins Children's Books
Reviewers Rating: 5 STARS
Reviewed by~Sierra Wells (Franklin High School Student)

~Thank you to the Publisher for the donation of this book to Read for your future!~

Review: Carl Melcher Goes to Vietnam by Paul Clayton

Summary-

The year is 1968. Like thousands of other American boys, Carl Melcher is drafted and sent to Vietnam. His new company is infected with the same racial tensions plaguing the nation. Despite that, Carl makes friends on both sides of the color line. The war, like a tiger lurking in the bushes, picks off its victims one by one. Naively over-optimistic, Carl believes that karma and good intentions will save him and his friends. Then fate intervenes to teach Carl something of the meaning of life, and death.

Review-

The uncertianties of war figure very highly into this war book.  Sent to war Carl finds that nothing is certian, and things constantly change. Being a future soldier in the U.S. Army, I found this book very close to home and it helped me to understand that what may at first seem rock solid, is naturally unstable. I'm really glad that i read this book.

Publisher-Booklocker.com

Reviewer Rating: 5 STARS

Reviewed by~James Cross(Student at Franklin High School)

~Thank you to the Author for the donation of this book to the Read for your future program!~

In My Mailbox for 11/14

FOR REVIEW

Books

Released by Magan Duncan

Savor by Magan Duncan

(Thanks to Author)

The Realmsic Conquest by A. Demethius Jackson

(Thanks to author)

Descended by blood by Angeline Kace

(Thanks to  author)

Vamplayers by Rusty Fischer

(Thanks to author)

Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

(Thanks to author)

The woman who loved Jesse James

(Thanks to Deb at  Publisher Kensington)

Dancergirl by Carol M. Tanzman

(Thanks to Natasha at Harlequin Teen)

Brothers Shadows by Monica Schroder

(Thanks to Author)

Allegiance by Cayla Kluver

(Thanks to Natasha at Harlequin Teen)

Crave by Melissa Darnell

(Thanks to Natasha at Harlequin Teen)

Audio Books

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Jennifer Ehle

(Thanks to Lauren Pires of Simon & Schuster audio)

Interview: Ami Blackwelder YA author of Shifter Evolutions series

Interview with author Ami Blackwelder

We have the pleasure of having Ami Blackwelder stopping by for a guest interview today

1. How did you come up with the concept for this book?

I as in Thailand teaching and working outside in the front garden when my Siamese cat Lotus jumped around in the trees and I just had this idea of what it would be like if human beings could transform into animals? Cats? Then I thought about how that could be and came up with an alien race...and then shifters becoming hybrids....and then I also wanted to incorporate themes of prejudice and oppression. And I developed the characters and plot lines from there...into 6 books.

2. How did you come up with the names for the characters?

There are combinations of names or names I know.

3. How much are you and the characters alike?

We aren't really alike...but I do draw from real life, real people, and personalities...but characters are usually a blend of those.

4. Do you read a lot and what are you reading now?

Yes, and Divergent.

5. What made you decide to go shape shifters?

Well, really the initial spark of the idea with my cat and then playing around with alien races. I do like shifters. But my stories are unique. They aren't your typical YA or adult novels in the scifi or paranormal genres. Everyone says they are different, but good. So, that about says it.

6. How did the cover come about?

I designed them with graphic designs, symbols of the characters...the plot.

7. So what is your next project and when is it due out?

The MERS, a Mermaid dystopian is out Oct 1st-Oct 15th! Exciting!

8. Do you have a daytime job or are you a full time writer?

I am a Montessori Intern now and will be in the Montessori Teaching soon...before that I taught overseas for eight years. I do want to be a full time writer though.

9. How did you get into writing novels and were you worried about peoples reactions to your books?

Since I could hold a pen, and yes/no. Partly, I wanted to improve my writing and wanted other's opinions and partly I just wanted to share my work regardless.

10. One last thing do you collect anything personally?

I collect books written by independent authors;)

Thanks to Ami for letting us get to know her a little better!

Ami's Bio

Ami Blackwelder is a forbidden romance writer in the paranormal and historical romance genre. Growing up in Florida, she went to UCf and in 1997 received her BA in English and teaching credentials. She travelled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand.

Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University;), her fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine: Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the country. Later, she achieved the Semi-Finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in the Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine.

Find out More about Ami and her books Here:
Goodreads
Blog
Amazon