ARC Review: Thorn Abbey by Nancy Ohlin

Thorn Abbey by Nancy Ohlin  

Publishers: Simon Pulse
Published Date: May 7th 2013
From: Publishers -Arc
My rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis:
Nothing is as it seems in this darkly romantic tale of infatuation and possession, inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.

Becca was the perfect girlfriend: smart, gorgeous, and loved by everyone at New England’s premier boarding school, Thorn Abbey. But Becca’s dead. And her boyfriend, Max, can’t get over his loss.

Then Tess transfers to Thorn Abbey. She’s shy, insecure, and ordinary—everything that Becca wasn’t. And despite her roommate’s warnings, she falls for brooding Max.

Now Max finally has a reason to move on. Except it won’t be easy. Because Becca may be gone, but she’s not quite ready to let him go…

Review:

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is one of my favourite books of all time. Last year I read Paige Harbison's New Girl which retold the story so I was intrigued by Thorn Abbey.

To start with Tess comes from an ordinary everyday background. Single mum, not much money, normal high street clothes. When she arrives to Thorn Abbey the students are of a different calibre altogether. They all have money, come from distinguished homes, have relatives in high places. Tess feels out of her league.

Her life gets creepier when she realises she's taken the place of Becca. A student who died in a tragic accident and not only is she sleeping in the same room as her but also the same bed.

During her first few days she sees Max. From here on in for about a third of the book Tess develops a creepy OCD/obsessive disorder of Max and his ex-girlfriend Becca. Yep, he dated her, and as everyone tells Tess, they were so in love. Devon, her room-mate, gives Tess Becca's old laptop to use as Tess hasn't got one. The wallpaper is one of Max and Becca kissing. But something goes in Tess' favour because Max does take an interest in her. Franklin, his best friend, tells Tess to be careful. Max is unstable, jealous even especially of Becca's cousin Killian.

The second third of the book gets taken up with Tess's self-obsession. She thinks she isn't good enough, she's not pretty, shaped like a supermodel, she doesn't wear the right clothes etc. This part of the book made me dislike Tess immensely. Not only were her room-mate and so called friends taking her food away while insisting her hips are too wide, but they're also incredibly bitchy towards her. This doesn't help her self-esteem but all kudos go to Max because he tells her he wants her for exactly the person she is.

I must admit the first two thirds of the book had me liking Tess to disliking her. She has a lot of insecurities issues but this seems to be a trait as a reminiscing memory of her mother creeps in-we learn that Tess has always been this way. I did like Max but the story was telling me Max had severe mood-swings but I didn't see anything that a good chat and opening up session couldn't cure. Actually Tess and Max don't come across as a couple who talk that much which for the amount of time they're together doesn't come across as true.

The drama unfolds and things get worse when its clear to Tess that Becca's spirit is messing with her. The story ends tragically.

Yes, that sentence was written like that for a reason because that's exactly how the story finishes. Abrupt, lacking in emotion, apart from everyone hugging. It just ends. Although there is a slight twist but it didn't make up for a slightly drab storyline. When Kayleigh starting coming up with supernatural clues and ideas I actually thought it could lift the story but it just kind of flat-lined.

If you're a fan of Rebecca or New Girl, or public school stories then you may want to read this.-CB x

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Review: Punished (Arelia LaRue, #2) by Kira Saito

Punished (Arelia LaRue, #2) by Kira Saito

Publishers: Self

Published Date:  March 3rd 2012

From: Author - to review
My rating: 5 out of 5

Synopsis:
Down in New Orleans, Arelia Larue’s once ordinary life has quickly transformed into something truly extraordinary.

As her ability to communicate and work with Les Mysteries (spirits) grows, so does her attraction for Darkwood’s secretive owner Lucus LaPlante.

However, Arelia soon discovers that Darkwood’s shiny and seemingly extravagant exterior holds secrets that may put her very soul at risk.

In the intoxicating world of New Orleans voodoo/hoodoo, expect the unexpected.

Come along for the ride!

Read my review for Bound (Arelia LaRue #1) by Kira Saito here

Review:
Its very rare that a second book of a series keeps me captivated as much as the first. Usually something gives in the wrong place or a character gets too cocky, but Punished held its own exactly as Bound did. Gorgeous writing, beautiful scenery, sumptuous food, shocking history and lots of wonderful romancing made this read highly enjoyable.

This book starts exactly as the previous book ends. Bound ended with Lucas, the hot mysterious guy opening his bedroom door. Punished begins with what happens next, and I was utterly hooked. Again! I dove straight back into the story, and felt like the characters were all old friends and exactly as I'd left them.

Punished is much darker than the first. The dark histories spiral outwards as Arelia understands her path as Voodoo Queen. She feels the confidence growing in her to call on the spirits, who are not all nice and friendly, and she acts without hesitation when they turn on her friends. Arelia as a character was still as great as I remembered and had room to grow in this book. She finally stands up to Sabrina, her jealous and selfish best friend though Sabrina surprises us in the end. Arelia also embraces her need for knowledge in regards to the lotions, oils, concoctions and tools needed to defeat the evil. Her feelings for Lucas grow immensely and while it should almost be a forbidden love, you can't help feeling finally glad that they've found each other.

This is much more than just a Paranormal YA book. Saito helps us learn more about the cruelty of the slave trade. We get to understand how these poor people suffered in terrible conditions and share their emotions as if they are real people. We also get to finally understand about Lucas and his nemesis. And how can I forget the food. Once again my mouth constantly watered when I read about the divine dishes served, and I really wished I was there to try them out!

The ending was a cliffhanger but in a good way. A culprit has been found, but what happens next...only book 3, Possessed, can tell us and it will be out soon!

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Review: The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers

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

My rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Jocelyn follows clues apparently from her dead twin, Jack, in and around Seale House, the terrifying foster home where they once lived. With help from childhood friend Noah she begins to uncover the truth about Jack's death and the company that employed him and Noah.

My Review:
This is a book that will have you thinking and pondering different scenarios even while you're reading it. So much that I, while pondering, just could not put it down. I had to keep going. I had to find out the truth.

Even from the first page I was pulled into Jocey's world. Firstly wondering what had happened to make her sneak into Noah's car and stay hidden rather than let him know she was there. Noah was her and brother Jack's best friend while they were foster kids at Seale House. A house that to this day still gives Jocey nightmares.

But things are quite right when Jocey gets into Noahs car. She's received a letter from Jason December, a code name for her dead brother, and its a name that only Jocey, Jack and Noah know about. Of course, Noah eventually finds Jocey hiding and from here on in the plots thicken and thicken, the puzzles keep coming, and the back story fills in the details as this mystery, and very intriguing suspense story continues.

I did get it (you'll know what I mean) about 80% into the story. And I realised I'd read all the clues but hadn't put them together. The characters from Seale House and all the history suddenly made sense, and the whole story was absolutely believeable right until the final page.

This book is creepy, horrifying, heartbreaking, but equally brilliant at the same time. I can't even begin to think how the author came up with all the tiny details that made this book such an amazing read.

The only reason I'm marking this down a star and not giving it 5 out of 5 is the small paranormal aspect which felt like it was thrown into the story just to make it a little more quirky. It wasn't really necessary, there were certainly ways of explaining such things without it.

Overall, I'm so glad I read it. It will have your mind thinking about the story for days after, and if that happens you know you've read a good book.

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Here's the Book Trailer! Enjoy!

Review: Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis:
Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

Review:
You have to hand it to Aura, the main character. She really knows how to mess things up with guys. Especially if one is already dead and one has a limited timeframe for being in the country.

This carries on immediately from Shade and is another tearjerker. Much of the novel Aura is very upset, angsty and confused (again).

But she holds on to her morals this time and begins to finally be able to let Logan go. That is after he turns from a shade to a ghost and then something else entirely. In a 17 minute timeframe she not only ruins her moment with Logan but also blurts out the truth of said 17 minutes to Zach.

Zach, I have to say, is a gent, a saint, and all good things. Yes, he gets a mighty bit narked with Aura but he had a valid reason.

In the end we learn more about Zach, the tragic disease of his father that is somehow linked to her mother, and more DMPers than you can shake a stick at.

The cameraderie is still as good. Megan does an awesome job as BFF and a surprise outing with Dylan (Logans youngest brother) turns out not quite as Aura expected.

All in all, another brilliant novel by Smith-Ready. We are still non-the-wiser of a certain Shift but we have another novel out soon which hopefully will explain all!

You can reach Jeri Smith-Ready here:

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Review: Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis:
Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.
Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.
Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.
Well, sort of.
Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.
It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.
As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Review:
Its a rocky, torrid ride for Aura when Logan dies on THE night of a) making superstardom with his band and b) the night she and Logan would finally love under the sheets.
For Aura, a post-Shifter, a world of ghosts is an everyday occurence but for those pre-Shift, its a confusing time to live in. Luckily for Aura, her Aunt runs a legal firm which helps ghosts sue for unlawful death, and then pass over to the other side.
So seeing Logan in his violet ghost state is firstly a shock but not a complete surprise. Aura deals with the stupid events that were Logans last minutes, and then the aftermath and subsequent court case pursued by his parents.

Add to this a hot new boy from bonny Scotland, Zach, who seems to be keeping a whole lot of secrets from her, AND keeping her secrets from other people. Just what is going on?
Aura and Zach find out that they were born one minute apart. He was pre- and she was post-Shift. Actually he was the only baby born in the last minute just as she was the only baby born in the first minute.
A story unfolds of her mothers journey to Ireland and the events of a Winter Solstice at Newgrange which may be connected with the Shift.

Sound confusing so far? Yep. This is a great story with lots of avenues leading off to other areas of importance or relevance. In no way do we ever find out what exactly the Shift was or how it occurred. All we know is that Aura and Zach are involved in a big conspiracy, and certain authorities have been keeping an eye on them both. Lucky for Zach, his father turns out NOT to be the political science teacher that we thought he was.

In the final chapters Aura and Logans relationship changes, and Aura and Zachs alters. Both important in their own way but confusing Aura immensely on which way her heart should go.
I liked Logan hugely although in the end I did get the impression his character was a little too selfish for my liking. He enjoyed the limelight and stardom a little too much. Zach is definitely a better option, and he's alive for one thing. And Aura? I liked her relationship with her friends and the rest of the Keeley clan. I'm not sure I liked her greatly but I did feel sorry for her. Some parts of the book are very devastingly sad and she doesn't bounce back quickly which I liked.

Apart from all the doom and gloom (that's ghosts for you!) this is a wonderful read whoever side you're on!

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So many books for 2012...

2012 is going to be sooo exciting! With so many books coming out this year plus new and exciting author debuts, we've updated our Most Wanted books page and added more.

Check it to see if we've missed any...!!

What is your 'Most Wanted' book of 2012? We'd loved to know!

Review: Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis:
Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

Review:
This is a great Victorian ghost story. Told by Violet it isn't just a ghost story, it tells her tale of lies, deception and acceptance across the class system of 19th century England.

Violet's mother has been deceiving the gentry with parlour tricks, pretending to be a Medium or Spiritualist for any that will pay. With Violet is her childhood friend Colin, who her mother took in off the street. Together they fall into an adventure and along with Violet's friend Elizabeth who is a Duke's daughter (and doesn't know of Violets true past) they try and discover who murder poor Rowena.

In the beginning Violet is just an ordinary lower/middle class girl. Her nasty mother constantly threatens her with tales of working as a seamstress until her fingers bleed so Violet does whatever her mother bids her to do. Sadly Violet can do nothing to get away from her station in life other than go along with her mothers wishes.

When Violet arrives at Lord Jaspers house she starts seeing ghosts. What bothered me here was Violets reaction to her discovery. Instead of trying to figure out why the ghosts want her to purvey their messages she ignores them and pretends they aren't there. Except poor dead Rowena won't leave her alone. Xavier is a trademans son whose parents have been accepted in society because they are wealthy. When Xavier expresses his wish to marry Violet she doesn't know whether to accept. She likes him enough but has no romantic feelings towards him. But she does have feelings for Colin and he himself expresses as much to Violet. I couldn't help feeling that the romantic side of the book was a little forced. Especially as Colin, who Violet had known all her life, suddenly tells Violet how he feels. Why now?

Eventually Violets mother's secret is found out and, disgraced, they return to London and are set upon by an angry mob. Violets saving grace is Colin. She finally understands that he only stays in employment with her mother for her. But at what cost?

This book was unexpectedly good. I loved Violet and I understood why she was so afriad to get out from her mothers shadow. And Elizabeth was funny and kind to Violet all the way through.

The only things I can criticise are small. Firstly Autumn is referred to on one occassion as Fall. England doesn't have Fall, its an American name for the season. And also if the author wanted authenticity she could have written 'neighborhood' in the english way as 'neighbourhood'.

Other than that it was great to read a stand alone book, without having a whole series to go through to reach a conclusion. I enjoyed it and would gladly read more from Harvey.

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey at Amazon.com

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Review: New Girl by Paige Harbison

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

Synopsis:
They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back

Review:
If anyone is familiar with Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (one of my favourite books) then this story will be slightly familiar, however the premise is told in a new YA way about a school called Manderley and a girl who (in keeping with the original book) is only known by name at the end.

Told from 2 POV's, one being Becca and one being New Girl, we are soon engulfed in a tightly woven tale that hums alongside each other perfectly. Pretty soon into the story you realise who is the innocent and who is the guilty party. And you can't help your own emotions get in the way. One minute you want to scream at Becca for being like she is, and in the next you want to scream at New Girl for not seeing it through unprejudiced eyes. The poisonous whispers of others soon affect New Girl and her rational way of thinking, especially when it comes to Max (Becca's ex) but are the poison whispers true or false? Only Becca can answer that.

I loved this book! I loved the storytelling and the writing. I loved the way the answers began to slip into the story gradually. Around two-thirds in we have a slight repetition in events that slow it down a little but the characters are all written so fantastically well that you don't mind and can't help just going with it.

And the end? I had a warm fuzzy feeling...and a big smile on my face...I hope you do too!

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Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Synopsis:

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Review:

This book has been on my TBR pile for ages. Finally, I wanted to read something different, and what could be more different than a ghost story with a twist.

Sadly I was left a little bit underwhelmed. I liked the premise of the story, a girl ghost saves a boy from drowning and thanks to his Seer skills he's now able to see and feel her.

The story is a narrative and deals with all sorts of complications. Amelia can't remember her last name, her family, where she lives etc. But most pointedly how did she die? And how can she and Joshua begin their relationship, complications notwithstanding.

I felt the flow of the story too slow in places. A few repeated emphasis' that could have been left out and a whole lot of extra filler which made the book stagnant. I actually wanted to reach the end just so that I could finish it.

The story itself started well and had me gripped to find out what was going on but by the middle of the book I got the impression that there wasn't much more story to tell. The evil bad ghost was even a little too - lame? And the ending was tied up nicely but not with a ghostly haunted feel to it, more of a fizzled out firecracker.

This isn't meant harshly in any way towards the book. It IS a sweet love story which I found refreshing and unique to the YA genre. I just wanted a little more action.

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