Yearly Archives:: 2011

Friday, December 09, 2011

Review: Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié

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Unleashed
Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié
Released November 22nd, 2011
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Goodreads / Purchase

Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.

*A copy was provided by Random House Children’s Books for review purposes*  
If I would rate Unleashed on the story itself it would have gotten more praise, but I can’t do that now can I? I had my share of problems with the characters and their actions that inadvertently caused me to get a bit of a mixed feeling about the book as a whole.

It all starts with Katelyn. Katelyn’s mom has just died and, with her dad not in the picture, she is forced to move to Wolf Springs: A middle of nowhere town with no cell phone service or internet connection (can you believe?). She soon learns that there is something in the woods that has been killing people. Classmates to be exact. What does she do with this information? She goes on a motorcycle ride in the woods at night with a guy she just met, and then when she gets a flat miles into a deserted road, she doesn’t think twice about going out and changing the tire herself. We’ve all seen our shares of horror movies, Katelyn- she would definitely be the girl who runs up the stairs. As a reader who likes her characters intelligent and strong, I was never able to connect with her and often found myself shaking my head at the decisions she took.

The romance in the book is cute and helps fill up the slow pace, however I didn’t feel any sort of chemistry between the characters. We have the pre-requisite love triangle with Justin and Trick, though I didn’t want to root for either of them. For one, Justin has a girlfriend (o_O) and Trick I don’t trust. There seems to be something off with him. He definitely has secrets. In that sense, he does make a good mysterious character that I can’t help but want to find out more about.

When you read the book/series title, it’s no mystery what kind of paranormal story we’re getting into. Nonetheless, there are still a few interesting twists that I didn’t see coming. Unleashed is more of an introduction and setup for the series. We only get a glimpse of the main plot and most of our questions are left unanswered which some may find underwhelming. Regardless of the issues I have with the characters, I find myself curious enough to give next installment a try, especially after that cliffhanger ending!

2 Hot Espressos

Dark Seeker Tour Stop

Posted by on 12/08/2011 • 27 Comments

Today, I am happy to have the Dark Seeker blog tour, hosted by The Magic Attic, drop by Xpresso Reads to give you a teasing excerpt as well as a chance to win a copy!

What is Dark Seeker? Take a look:

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Dark SeekerTaryn Browning

Goodreads / Purchase

For 17-year-old Seeker, Janie Grey, ridding the Baltimore streets of the undead is an inherited duty passed down from her Cherokee ancestors. Seeker Training Lesson #1: Never trust the undead. After her father’s tragic death, Janie creates her own life lesson: Love isn’t worth the risk. Both lessons are easy to follow until she encounters the flawed Kai Sterdam. At first, she believes he is the hybrid she is trained to hunt. But, when he has human traits, she…

Waiting on Wednesday (13)

Posted by on 12/07/2011 • 101 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  My pick this week:

                                    The Unquiet                                     Jeannine Garsee

                                    Release date: July 17th, 2012

Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.

After a suicide attempt, and now her parents’ separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications (again!) and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home and school. She refuses to be daunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn’s bedroom, or that her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there….

Review: Hushed by Kelley York

Posted by on 12/06/2011 • 29 Comments

HushedKelley YorkRelease date: December 6th, 2011by Entangled Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase

He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan,…

Dusty Reads (11)

Posted by on 12/06/2011 • 19 Comments

Dusty Reads is a weekly meme, hosted here, featuring a book that has been sitting unread on my home shelf for some time. To participate, add your link at the bottom.  If you wish, you can grab the button and find more information here.

My pick this week:

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Cryer’s CrossLisa McMannReleased February 2011Goodreads / Purchase

Kendall loves her life in small town Cryer’s Cross, Montana, but she also longs for something more. She knows the chances of going to school in New York are small, but she’s not the type to give up easily. Even though it will mean leaving Nico, the world’s sweetest boyfriend, behind. 

But when Cryer’s Cross is rocked by unspeakable tragedy, Kendall shoves her dreams aside and focuses on just one goal: help…

Giveaway: The Magi by Kevin M. Turner

Posted by on 12/05/2011 • 7 Comments

The Magi Kevin M. Turner

                                          

Add it  to your Goodreads

Thirteen-year-old Elijah Hawk has never heard of the Magi. He doesn’t know about the secret power they have. He has never been to Savenridge, the Magi city hidden deep inside the northern forests. Most of all, Elijah is unaware of the dangers hunting him, in search for something he has. After one terrifying night, however, all of that changes!

On a quest to solve the murder of his parents, Elijah stumbles upon the land of the Magi. Learning their secrets and training with their power is the least of his problems. In order to find out why his parents were killed, Elijah learns that he must…

Review: The Magi by Kevin M. Turner

Posted by on 12/05/2011 • 19 Comments

The MagiKevin M. TurnerReleased October 8th, 2011

Goodreads / Purchase

Thirteen-year-old Elijah Hawk has never heard of the Magi. He doesn’t know about the secret power they have. He has never been to Savenridge, the Magi city hidden deep inside the northern forests. Most of all, Elijah is unaware of the dangers hunting him, in search for something he has. After one terrifying night, however, all of that changes!

On a quest to solve the murder of his parents, Elijah stumbles upon the land of the Magi. Learning their secrets and training with their power is the least of his problems. In order to find out why his parents were killed, Elijah learns that he must confront the dangers that are hunting him. What’s more terrifying is learning that…

Cover Reveal: Onyx

Posted by on 12/05/2011 • 15 Comments

You have heard about Obsidian, right? For those who haven’t / living under a rock:

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ObsidianJennifer L. ArmentroutRelease date: December 6thby Entangled Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase

Starting over sucks.When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and…