ARC Review: The Dark World (Dark World #1) by Cara Lynn Shultz

The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Expected publication: May 27th 2014 by Harlequin Teen

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Synopsis:

Paige Kelly is used to weird--in fact, she probably corners the market on weird, considering that her best friend, Dottie, has been dead since the 1950s. But when a fire demon attacks Paige in detention, she has to admit that things have gotten out of her league. 

Luckily, the cute new boy in school, Logan Bradley, is a practiced demon slayer-and he isn't fazed by Paige's propensity to chat with the dead. Suddenly, Paige is smack in the middle of a centuries-old battle between warlocks and demons, learning to fight with a magic sword so that she can defend herself. And if she makes one wrong move, she'll be pulled into the Dark World, an alternate version of our world that's overrun by demons-and she might never make it home

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Review:

Paige sees ghosts. A side affect from a car accident three years ago. She is also the school Pariah and considered a loon and unstable by her school mates who often see her talking to herself. Her best friend is Dottie, a girl who died in the '50's and occupies the 3rd floor bathroom at school.

Logan is the school emo boy who keeps to himself. He only ever talks to Paige when he's asking to borrow a pen.

One day something drastic happens and their worlds collide.

This is a story about Demons and Warlocks.

There is a parallel universe with theirs called Dark World (theirs is Light World to the non-ordinary people)

This book is a character driven romance book which gets very deep and emotional at times, but action packed fighting scenes remind you of the bigger picture.

Pro's

Paige and Logan are young but their romance isn't forced or 'insta'. Their coming together happens naturally over time. Paige is an amazing character, full of quirks and flaws but a naturally honest person.

Paige has a great relationship with her overbearing parents. Even though they almost keep her swaddled in a safety blanket, Paige is very understanding why they do this.

Logan! Much of this book is dialogue between Logan and Paige. A lot of this book is about fighting demons which Logan does very well. He is a 'dreamboat! (a Dottie-ism)'.

Little twists and turns with the characters i.e. if Dottie isn't nearby Paige and Logan know a demon must be in the vicinity. Very clever author work.

Con's

While reading, it's very easy to make comparisons with other demon/warlock/paranormal books.

Parts of the book are slow although the action makes up for it.

Disappointed with the introduction of Ajax and Rego. I almost put the book down fearing a love triangle. Happily, it wasn't so. However, I was disappointed with the drabness of Rego. I was expecting a little more fire or oomph from him.

This isn't a book packed with descriptions. Sometimes the world building could have done with elaboration.

Note: There is a cliffhanger for the next book.


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CB Note to readers: This is a new type of review I'm starting aimed to get to the point and exclude waffle. Points are easier to read. If you prefer this than the usual review please let me know!

Available from Amazon

Meme - Blast from the Past: Lady Languish: An Irish Vampire Novel by SCD Goff

It's so easy to get caught up in the new books, ARC arrivals and general buzz of book promotions. We're all in a hurry to read the new thing, the new story.
So, this Meme is remembering some of the great books of the past that deserve another mention.
Here's one from June 2012. Enjoy!

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Lady Languish: An Irish Vampire Novel by SCD Goff

Publishers: Self-Published
Published Date: March 20th 2012
From: Author
My rating: 5 out of 5

Thanks to SCD Goff for allowing me to read this book and give my honest opinion

Synopsis:

After her Uncle Malachy terrifies Evangeline Languish on her 16th birthday, she is abandoned at a boarding school by her parents. But when Evangeline discovers a strange young man, injured and alone, she is forced to change her mind about everything she knew.
Could Malachy's stories be true? Evangeline must face her uncle once more ... can she get to him before he kills everything she loves?.

Review:

As many of you know I'm not a big fan of vampire books, I've read so many and after a while they all read more or less the same. But I was honoured to be asked to read Lady Languish and after being told it was more in the same vane as the great Dracula I happily obliged. But nothing could have prepared me for the most beautifully written piece that should surely go down as proper YA literature. SCD Goff has such a way with creating imagery that once I was into the story I felt my world around me dissolve and I was actually in the story as an observer. Not many authors have this strong writing ability but if that isn't recommendation alone to read this wonderful piece then I don't know what is!

Lady Languish is the story of a young girl, Evangeline Languish. Her privileged upbringing and doting parents have kept her away from all forms of society, even denying her the pleasures of shopping or visiting the local village except once, which caused a family uproar.
She lives in a castle on a huge estate and has yet to make any friends. Sad? Not really. At no time do you get the impression that Eva is lonely, or pining for an escape. She's content and happy with her life and truly loves her parents. An incident on her 16th birthday throwing everything into the open. An uncle, Malachy, arrives. An uncle she has never met before and one that makes her queasy when he's near. He seeks an opportunity to get her on her own and then makes her drink a red liquid that she's never drunk and almost instantly she feels awakened. The uncle gets sent from the castle immediately but shortly after, and without any explanation, Eva is sent to St Rita's boarding school.

Sooner after she hears about the death of her parents and after arriving back at her family castle strange events start to occur. The mysterious Lorcan shows up, injured beyond measure and she takes taking him back to the castle to get proper care. Soon she realises that he's not normal and he in turn predicts that her life is in incredible danger. A vampire hierarchy going back to the first vampires is now under the leadership of Slane, a young power-hungry woman whose second in command is none other than her uncle Malachy. And Slane wants Eva dead.

This isn't a story that has been rushed in any way. The pace doesn’t canter along losing your perspective and instead you get to savour the different characters, all well thought out and that spring to life in the story at opportune moments. Especially Eva's friend from school, Sive. I have a soft spot for her. Sive's father was a close friend of Eva's parents but little did Eva know this until their terrible death. Sive doesn’t shirk at the sound of danger; she helps Eva unravel the conspiracies occurring with the aid of Ann, the housekeeper who enlightens Eva to her past.

Another great character was Lorcan that I loved. His history is undeniably horrid, and he's tortured by his past life. But slowly he begins to open up a little with Eva and there's a connection that neither of them expected.

And the bad guys? They are really bad and nasty. I even felt scared just reading about them!

The book is set in Ireland which helped create such a stunning, almost Gothic, backdrop inviting in the beautiful descriptions that take you to another place entirely, and Eva has to be one of the loveliest heroines I've ever read. And if you think she's had her fair share of heartache then just wait till you get to the end. An ending that will lead you to desperately wanting the second book!

It isn't often that I gush about a book but there aren't enough good words to say about Lady Languish. This is definitely one of my books of the year so far.

-CB x

 About  SCD Goff
 I work in the publishing industry by day, but at night I join the legions of YA writers and fans online to talk about books, writing, What the Industry Wants, the day that's in it, vampires, banshees, and how I want to be a writer and not just talk about being a writer..

Want to know more? Just ask!
 
You can reach SCD Goff here:

Web  Email  Pinterest  Goodreads

Review: Elite (Eagle Elite #1) by Rachel Van Dyken

Elite (Eagle Elite Book 1)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Published July 9th 2013 by Forever

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Synopsis:

For Tracey Rooks, life with her grandparents on a Wyoming farm has always been simple. But after her grandmother's death, Tracey is all her grandfather has. So when Eagle Elite University announces its annual scholarship lottery, Tracey jumps at the opportunity to secure their future and enters. She isn't expecting much-but then she wins. And life as she knows it will never be same . . .

The students at Eagle Elite are unlike any she's ever met . . . and they refuse to make things easy for her. There's Nixon, gorgeous, irresistible, and leader of a group that everyone fears: The Elect. Their rules are simple. 1. Do not touch The Elect. 2. Do not look at The Elect. 3. Do not speak to The Elect. No matter how hard she tries to stay away, The Elect are always around her and it isn't long until she finds out the reason why they keep their friends close and their enemies even closer. She just didn't realize she was the enemy -- until it was too late. 

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Review:

This book was hard to review. I loved the way I read it until the end. The story was great, a little twist on mafia families, and mostly I liked (although I shouldn't) how evil and mean people were. Although it might seem unbelievable, in the school climate that is ruled by The Elite, I could imagine it very well.

So, first things first. Tracey Rooks is arriving at The Eagle Elite Academy. She won a lottery, got a place. Her grandma died a few months back so there's only her grandfather and her left. Tracey's parents died when she was young. Tracey's very excited about experiencing what this top class college is like. Until she runs into the Elect almost immediately. From the get-go they make her life hell, but Tracey shows her smarts and pushes back against all the rules. Her roommate also happens to be sister of Elect leader, Nixon. He's a bad boy, tattooed, lip ring, the full works and with an attitude and temperament to match. His buddy Chase is a little more stomach-able to Trace. He shows kindness when no one looks. Phoenix and Tex hover in the background with mutual disregard.

It soon comes apparent that The four boys come from powerful families, Sicilian Mafia families. Peace has been kept between the families for a while but Traces arrival sparks of a storm that was inevitable. Without her being any wiser she becomes the central pivotal role to either make or break the families apart.

When I finished it I thought Wow. The way the characters all worked together, so connected. And the way the school system worked, I got it. Nixon had the power, it all made sense. Chase and the others all slotted into needed parts.

But, the more I thought on it the more I couldn't believe that an entire powerful clan such as Nixon's would have him - a twenty something year old - in charge of their entire multi-business, multi-million dollar company. I mean, do people on wall street or London stock exchange, the movers and shakers in this world have time to go to school and teach classes and maintain the status quo of a couple hundred college kids?

That's my only gripe. Other than that I liked Trace and Monroe a lot. The book has a great amount of romance, flirting, super gushy moments but also some really nasty mean girl stuff too. Exactly what I wanted to read!!

-CBx

Available from Amazon

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Review: Lingering Echoes by Erica Kiefer

Lingering Echoes by Erica Kiefer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Published November 16th 2013 by Clean Teen Publishing

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She's broken with guilt.  He harbors a chilling past. 
It's safer if they keep their distance...  But, the echoes that linger connect them. 

Returning to Hidden Pines is the last thing Allie Collins wants to do during her final summer before college. For her, the family cabin she spent her youthful summers in, now holds a dark memory that has haunted her every day for the last year. 

While struggling to forget her past, Allie runs into Damien, a local rebel with secrets of his own. He's dark, dangerous and he keeps showing up when Allie least expects him to. She has every reason not to trust him. So why does she find herself opening up to him in a way she hasn't been able to with anyone? 

As pieces of Damien’s identity emerge, answers to a rumored mystery begin to unfold. By the time Allie unearths the secrets of Damien’s past, she realizes just how intricately they are connected. Now she is caught in a dangerous battle that threatens her life and those she loves.

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I loved the characters in this book. From the outset you know something terrible has happened to Allie. She's on holiday with her Dad, his wife and her son, Nick. But not everything is happy in holiday land. Allie's saving grace is her new friend Brooke and Nick's friend-for-the-holiday, Aaron.

Nick and Allie clearly don't get on. whether it's from a close age difference or clash of characters, we don't get to the bottom of his attitude until later. But for now Allie is hurting inside, Nick is taunting her, and she is keeping a secret so close to her chest that none of her family can break through to her. Last year, at the same resort, her cousin Maddie died. Allie believes the accident was her fault.

Through the trees Allie spies a guy staring at her on numerous occasions. This might be somewhat creepy but there's something about him that doesn't scream "stalker!" Over the next few days they have a couple of chance meetings, and she realises that although he doesn't talk about himself at all Damien is nice, kind and thoughtful.

Eventually weird things happen, such as a strange fortune teller and a story of a fire close by killing a family except one member. Slowly the urban myths begin to merge and soon Allie is caught in a web of lies, truth and knows not what or who to believe.

The mystery in this book keeps you gripped. The overall story was very well written. The pace was even and kept me enthralled into the early hours. I confess I couldn't put it down. My only disappointment was the ending. Neither a HEA or a what happens next' - just a "now." I would like to have known.

There is plenty of romance and not all from Damien. Allie gains her confidence in a big way and I liked her in the beginning but loved her towards the end.

- CBx

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Review: Stargazing from Nowhere by Isabel Thomas and Marilyn Thomas

Stargazing from Nowhere by Isabel Thomas

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Published July 22nd 2013 by Do Art Publishing

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Kristen Morgan's blog is about to get her into trouble. Deep trouble. Online, she is known as "Stargazer" from the popular Stargazing from Nowhere blog, while in real life she is a regular fifteen-year-old high school student. This online anonymity is quite liberating, allowing her to be completely honest with her readers. 

Through a twist of fate, Rising Tide, the band she has bashed the most online, ends up in her small town, which sends Kristen into an excited panic. To continue gathering fresh material for her blog, she poses as a Rising Tide fan. After sneaking into the band's private party, she comes face to face with the band's drummer, Michael Stevens, who happens to be even more gorgeous in person than she cares to admit. 

Something unexpected also happens to her when she meets him: she becomes giddy, nervous, and inarticulate, leading Kristen to realize that her interest in Michael has nothing to do with her blog, but everything to do with her heart. As Kristen and Michael grow closer, does she have to make a choice between blog or boyfriend...Or is the choice made for her?

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I hate to give this book such low rating. I mean, everything was there, kind of. So Kirsten runs an anonymous blog (she's only 15) about a big rock band who she's WAS crazy about but now not so much. She's helping with a fan base of sorts. Encouraging others to chat about Rising Tide and their next endeavours including album. I did like this aspect. It's normal to want to chat online about music, arts, books etc (Clue: Thats what I'm doing here!)

I liked her friend, Maggie. Both of them started out being good, funny and together as friends are. By coincidence Kirsten's Uncle is an out of work music producer and soon news travels that the band are visiting her small town to work, write new tracks and possibly...yes, you guessed it, work with her Uncle.

Kirsten has already had a hot crush on Michael, the drummer, for the longest time so the fact that they're vising sends her, Maggie, their friend Peter, and the rest of the town into a tizz. soon enough they get to a party and Michael and Kirsten meet. From here on in, Maggie implores Kirsten to tell Michael about her blog which has becoming notorious to them band. They all hate what they're reading on it because it's mostly dissing them.

Okay. So that's enough with the story without giving spoilers away:)

My main problem with this book was the ages of the characters. Kirsten is 15. The big star rock band members are 17. For one thing, how can they be so big and famous at that age. I'm no expert in the music business but it takes a good year for an accomplished band to bring out new music and tour. Which also takes me back to Kirsten who must have been 13 or early 14 when she first liked the band. Okay, nothing wrong there. But then lets bring in Michael's established relationship ex, Evangeline. We're talking about people who have no experience of life and are way to young to be making these kind of decisions about long term commitment. Kirsten's mother, however comes over as queen bitch, but I can see her point. She tries to de-stabalize any hopes of this being a forever romance before it starts. again, can I say Kirsten is 15?

So, on the whole I get the story, and it's sweet and slightly quirky, funny in some parts, annoying in others (the face mask - really?) But the whole age thing had my teeth on edge and pushed me over the 'unbelievable' barrier. I'd like to know if there's a sequel to carry on from this. Overall I was expecting more than I got.


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Review: Come As You Are by Theresa Weir

Come As You Are by Theresa Weir

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Published September 20th 2013 by Belfry Press

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Molly Young has a secret. To keep it she holds the world at a distance. Behind her lies a trail of dumped boyfriends who came too close to discovering what no one can know. When her estranged father dies of an unexpected heart attack he leaves an even deeper secret, one tied to Molly's.

At the funeral repast Molly is unable to tolerate the shoulder-to-shoulder mourners and runs out the door and down the street to the nearest bar. Come dawn, with no memory of the past ten hours, she finds herself in bed with a beautiful stranger. She slips away before he wakes up, unaware of the role he's about to play in her life. Is he the one guy who can convince Molly to face her painful secret and become the person she's meant to be?

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Hmmm. There are lovers and haters of this book. If you've read a lot of NA then you'll know how the formula works. Girl with tragic past meets boy with equally tragic past. They collide. They insta-love each other. They talk, they share and then...boom! out of nowhere they stop talking/communicating without finding the answers first.

I've never read Ms Weirs work before so I have nothing to base it on. I found this book very dark and almost sinister. I must admit I didn't like Molly. For someone who has suffered so much I couldn't help feeling that she should have got past this and made some adjustments to her life. I understand that her adoptive father was shitty to her, and celebrating is funeral was no picnic. Her reaction to bad stuff is drinking and grabbing the nearest guy for sex? Okay, maybe for some it is.

I couldn't help feeling that the whole story was a little too contrived. I know that's how NA books are. The weirdest, strangest, connections get made that way but an adoptive fathers biological son that she never knew about. That takes some story telling.

On the whole the story WAS quite simple. But as I wrote, I didn't get Molly, I couldn't get into her pysche and reason with her or understand her.

So, 2.5 out of 5. Ms Weirs writing is an extra star. And I DID like Ian despite the relationship malarkey :)

- CBx

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Review: Model Misfit (Geek Girl #2) by Holly Smale

Model Misfit by Holly Smale

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Published September 26th 2013 by HarperCollins Children's Books

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“My name is Harriet Manners, and I am still a geek.”

Harriet knows that modelling won’t transform you. She knows that being as uniquely odd as a polar bear isn’t necessarily a bad thing (even in a rainforest). And that the average person eats a ton of food a year, though her pregnant stepmother is doing her best to beat this.

What Harriet doesn’t know is where she’s going to fit in once the new baby arrives.

With summer plans ruined, modelling in Japan seems the perfect chance to get as far away from home as possible. But nothing can prepare Harriet for the craziness of Tokyo, her competitive model flatmates and her errant grandmother’s ‘chaperoning’. Or seeing gorgeous Nick everywhere she goes.

Because, this time, Harriet knows what a broken heart feels like.

Can geek girl find her place on the other side of the world or is Harriet lost for good?

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Review of Geek Girl Here

Thank the heavens for Harriet Manners! Now, whenever I drop something, stumble over nothing or am just plain lost for words, I remind myself that Harriet would always be in a worse situation.

Model Misfit starts with, as usual, Harriet getting into quite a cuffuffle with a lot of gold. Gold costume, gold around her hair, gold paint. She is terrible at spotting errors in her time keeping and ends up almost too late for her final GCSE. All things go south for Harriet from here.

But not quite so. Her step mum, Anabelle, is expecting baby any time soon, her dad is besotted over being a father again, both seemingly forget about Harriets mere presence. Nat, her bff is leaving her for a trip to France, and so HM is left with Toby, the stalker. A whole summer could not be worse. But then. WILBUR!!! Saves the day. A with a small flick of a hair brush Harriet is flying off to Japan with her estranged and rather weird Grandmother, Bunty.

For the first time in Harriet's life she finally feels like she's making friends. Not people who want to ridicule her geekiness. No, they like her for who she is. But, as her modelling days take over her life, something makes those days become unbearable. Someone is sabotaging her. Except nobody believes these freak accidents aren't her own fault. They think she's not focused enough, or just plain stupid.

Model Misfit was everything I wanted in a sequel to Geek Girl. Harriet hasn't changed at all. I really love her for being always honest and truthful to who she is. Yes, she's still only fifteen and very naive but she's very likable.

I also hate the fact that her boss, Yuka, does not even spend the time of day to explain ANYTHING to Harriet. Surely if you think a model is clumsy you would want to forewarn her about what will happen during the session. I can't help feeling angry for Harriet.

Nick, the Lion Boy boyfriend, is back in this one but I'm not convinced everything is as it should be with him. He was pretty unfair on Harriet as well and he knows her far better than his aunt Yuka.

A great sequel, still full of exciting facts, and a very different and beautiful backdrop of Japan.

I can't wait for the next installment of Harriet's life :)

- CBx