This summer, I decided a break from book blogging was needed. Now I feel as if I need blogging back in my life. I've missed it so much.
SO STARTING THIS WEEK, I'M BACK WITH NEW REVIEWS AND MEMES.
It feels like time.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Frost by Marianna Baer
Labels --
Paranormal
19
comments
Title: Frost
Author: Marianna Baer
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Release: 9/13/2011Format: Advanced Readers Copy
Source: Publisher
Leena Thomas’s senior year at boarding school begins with a shock: Frost House, her cozy dorm of close friends, has been assigned an unexpected roommate: confrontational, eccentric Celeste Lazar. But while Leena’s anxiety about a threat to her sanctuary proves valid, it becomes less and less clear whether the threat lies with her new roommate, within Leena’s own mind, or within the very nature of Frost House itself. Mysterious happenings in the dorm, an intense triangle between Leena, Celeste, and Celeste’s brother, and the reawakening of childhood fears, all push Leena to take increasingly desperate measures to feel safe. Frost is the story of a haunting. As to whether the demons are supernatural or psychological . . . well, which answer would let you sleep at night?
Marianna Baer jumps into the YA community with a big splash. Frost is a suspenseful and eerie novel that anyone willing to have unyielding creeps that causes them to sleep with a nightlight on, would enjoy reading.
This is first and foremost a haunted house story. Leena and her friends decide to dorm at the Frost House for their senior year at boarding school. An unlikely roommate is forced upon them, but that's only the beginning of their problems. Odd things begin to happen in their timeworn dormitory, that causes them to blame each other - Knocking noises, missing objects, vandalism, ect. Celeste, the high-strung and unwanted roommate, seems to be in the middle of it all. Leena is left to decipher if Celeste really is the cause for all the freaky mishappenings, or if paranormal forces are behind it all. The weird thing is, Leena feels an undeniable connection to the house, like it wants her to live and stay there... forever.
This book is as terrifying as it sounds. Regretfully, I read a majority of this before I went to bed. I turned off my lights at 11 pm, and couldn't fall asleep until 2 am. Frost mentally wore me out! Honestly though, the pacing of it was a little off for me. I read the first two chapters, and was hit with anxiety to see where the story would go. That anxiety built up into frustration. Everything leading up to the climax is a bit monotonous and repetitive, yet still keeping the ominous feel. However, it really does pick up towards the end and mostly every question I was restlessly awaiting an answer for, is answered.
Marianna Baer created characters that I easily connected with. Each roommate has their own little personality. Leena, who's narration tells the story, has a simple personality with a distinct voice. She's your average do-gooder. Her absence of grave complication, is quite refreshing for this genre. There is a little romance in Frost, but in no way is it a central focus. If anything, it just adds another obstacle that ultimately has to do with the house.
In all, Frost is quite the worthwhile read. There were times that I just wanted to skip to the end and see what happens, but gladly I didn't. The anticipation and suspense resulted in a jaw dropping conclusion. Fair warning though, the ending is one that leaves you guessing and not knowing what to believe. If you can find satisfaction in that, pick up this thrilling ghost story!
This is first and foremost a haunted house story. Leena and her friends decide to dorm at the Frost House for their senior year at boarding school. An unlikely roommate is forced upon them, but that's only the beginning of their problems. Odd things begin to happen in their timeworn dormitory, that causes them to blame each other - Knocking noises, missing objects, vandalism, ect. Celeste, the high-strung and unwanted roommate, seems to be in the middle of it all. Leena is left to decipher if Celeste really is the cause for all the freaky mishappenings, or if paranormal forces are behind it all. The weird thing is, Leena feels an undeniable connection to the house, like it wants her to live and stay there... forever.
This book is as terrifying as it sounds. Regretfully, I read a majority of this before I went to bed. I turned off my lights at 11 pm, and couldn't fall asleep until 2 am. Frost mentally wore me out! Honestly though, the pacing of it was a little off for me. I read the first two chapters, and was hit with anxiety to see where the story would go. That anxiety built up into frustration. Everything leading up to the climax is a bit monotonous and repetitive, yet still keeping the ominous feel. However, it really does pick up towards the end and mostly every question I was restlessly awaiting an answer for, is answered.
Marianna Baer created characters that I easily connected with. Each roommate has their own little personality. Leena, who's narration tells the story, has a simple personality with a distinct voice. She's your average do-gooder. Her absence of grave complication, is quite refreshing for this genre. There is a little romance in Frost, but in no way is it a central focus. If anything, it just adds another obstacle that ultimately has to do with the house.
In all, Frost is quite the worthwhile read. There were times that I just wanted to skip to the end and see what happens, but gladly I didn't. The anticipation and suspense resulted in a jaw dropping conclusion. Fair warning though, the ending is one that leaves you guessing and not knowing what to believe. If you can find satisfaction in that, pick up this thrilling ghost story!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Follow me Friday (3)
Labels --
FF
32
comments
Q. Talk about the book that most changed or influenced your life (was it a book that turned you from an average to avid reader, did it help you deal with a particularly difficult situation, does it bring you comfort every time you read it?).
A. As random as this might sound, CLARITY by Kim Harrington has definitely influenced my literary life. I have read it four times, and still find joy all the way up till the very last line. It proved to me that YA can be fun and light, yet still work your mind. From CLARITY, paranormal crime became my favorite sub-genre. The first time I cracked open the spine, I was really craving a warm story. Kim Harrington's work did it for me then, and still does it till this day.
Leave a comment saying that you're a new follower, and I'll easily return the favor!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Labels --
Paranormal,
Review
22
comments
Title: Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2)Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel
Release: July 26th 2011Format: Finished Copy
Source: barnesandnoble.com
When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind.
Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.
Right when I began to feel as if werewolves were on the brink of becoming banal, Andrea Cremer flips that mindset completely around. With Wolfsbane, the second installment in the Nightshade series, greatness is the only word capable of describing my feelings for it. I may have even enjoyed it more then the primary Nightshade itself.
Wolfsbane starts right where Nightshade leaves off. Calla, who tells the story in a first person narrative, just bailed out of an arranged marriage to a fellow Alpha wolf. She does so to save Shay, a forbidden love, and to learn the truth about her world. Now Calla is forced to work with who she always believed to be her enemies (searchers), in order to save the wolf pack pack she left behind. Regrouping her pack and creating a strong relationship with the searchers, might even be enough to save the world from who she has been manipulated by since birth, the corrupt keepers.
Because of recent literary phenomena, most people picture werewolves as tan and muscular Taylor Laughters. Even though the Nightshade world has a few of those, this story's heroine wolf is pretty and blonde. I love it! Book one focused mainly on Calla's pack; Wolfsbane has a whole different group of characters. Let me tell you, these new searchers really made the book for me. Each one had a very quirky yet unique personality. This book provides an extensive history lesson, but the entertaining dialogue will make it worth anyone's while.
For all my Team Ren friends, prepare to be a little disappointed. Ren graces us with his presence for only one scene. None the less, the story is still very enjoyable without him. There is a magical balance of action and world-building. Shay is potently annoying at the beginning, but did grow on me by the end. I can sympathize with his unyielding love for Calla.
So what are some highlights of Wolfsbane? Conner and Adne have become two of my favorite characters in the series. The searchers' commodity is just as exciting as the wolf pack's. This whole story brings the Nightshade trilogy to new heights. I recommend everyone to pick up Andrea Cremer's work.
Wolfsbane starts right where Nightshade leaves off. Calla, who tells the story in a first person narrative, just bailed out of an arranged marriage to a fellow Alpha wolf. She does so to save Shay, a forbidden love, and to learn the truth about her world. Now Calla is forced to work with who she always believed to be her enemies (searchers), in order to save the wolf pack pack she left behind. Regrouping her pack and creating a strong relationship with the searchers, might even be enough to save the world from who she has been manipulated by since birth, the corrupt keepers.
Because of recent literary phenomena, most people picture werewolves as tan and muscular Taylor Laughters. Even though the Nightshade world has a few of those, this story's heroine wolf is pretty and blonde. I love it! Book one focused mainly on Calla's pack; Wolfsbane has a whole different group of characters. Let me tell you, these new searchers really made the book for me. Each one had a very quirky yet unique personality. This book provides an extensive history lesson, but the entertaining dialogue will make it worth anyone's while.
For all my Team Ren friends, prepare to be a little disappointed. Ren graces us with his presence for only one scene. None the less, the story is still very enjoyable without him. There is a magical balance of action and world-building. Shay is potently annoying at the beginning, but did grow on me by the end. I can sympathize with his unyielding love for Calla.
So what are some highlights of Wolfsbane? Conner and Adne have become two of my favorite characters in the series. The searchers' commodity is just as exciting as the wolf pack's. This whole story brings the Nightshade trilogy to new heights. I recommend everyone to pick up Andrea Cremer's work.
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