PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White

Book 1 in trilogy
Publisher: Harper Teen
Date Published: August 31st, 2010
ISBN 978-0-06-198584-3
Young Adult Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Library


Evie is sixteen and all she knew was what she’d learned at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, or IPAC, have taught her. Working for the IPAC since age eight due to the power or whatever it is she has to see beneath the glamour of paranormals. Evie only knows what is on the outside world by the TV shows she loves to watch and living vicariously through them. But then something or someone is killing paranormals right and left and Evie, finds out that what she knows about the world she lives in is just the tip of an iceberg. Life as Evie knows it is about to get exceedingly bumpy and quite dangerous, as she races to find a way to stop this thing from coming after her and in the process figure out who she is. Strap on your seatbelt, life is about to get chaotic.

Kiersten White’s debut young adult novel is full of surprises, fun and mystery all rolled u p with a pretty sparkly pink bow. PARANORMALCY is a fast paced ride with a few interesting twists and turns to keep things interesting, some amazingly life like characters that you grow to love and a really nasty fairy guy who I wanted to hit with a really big stick. Nope this isn’t your average young adult book, by far. It was charming and the writing was quite good. The author did a great job in creating something fresh from the tired paranormal genre and delivers something so unique, it left me wanting more when the last page was read. I was racing to the computer to see when book two was coming out and wondering if I could handle the wait for more Evie adventures.

Meet Evie, a normal sixteen girl who loves pink and can beat up a vampire. She has lived and worked for the International Paranormal Containment Agency since she was eight, when they found her wandering alone. On top of this, she is the only person in the world who can beneath the glamour of paranormals. Evie is a character I liked off the bat. She had a taser she’d had colored pink, loved TV and shopping and thought her life was as normal as can be, though if she could dream she wanted to go to a normal school with normal teenagers, like those on her favorite TV show. Ms. White does a great job in getting teenager angst down perfectly, especially when Evie finds herself up against something she has no idea how to kill.

Vague prophecies, a former fae boyfriend is giving her grief and stalking her and no one seems to believe her on this. I really, really hated Reth, the ex-fae boyfriend. He was creepy and frankly I wanted to beat him with a stick each time he popped up, which was a lot. Though I definitely give this author top marks, for creating a story with subtle word building and the fact she didn’t overwhelm the reader in the first few chapters with it all. She wove it through the story at a nice even pace and it had me enthralled from the time I sat down in the afternoon to when I finished the book, three hours later. Great cast of characters kept the story flowing nicely and a love triangle had me rooting for Evie to find her one and only.

PARANORMALCY is a story that will have you laughing at times, and other times, racing to see what would happen next. I can not wait for the next book in the trilogy to be here and am hoping this author doesn’t keep us in suspense too long. If you are looking for a story that has paranormal creatures, mysteries, government agencies, prophecies and scary but beautiful fairies all together in one book, than you will enjoy PARANORMALCY. It’s an enchanting story that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. Normal just got overrated.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

FIRELIGHT by Sophie Jordan

Publisher: Harper Teen
Date published: September 7th, 2010
ISBN: 978006193508
Urban Fantasy Young Adult
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Jacinda is a descendant of dragons and the only draki to be a fire breather. She is the only fire breather in the last four hundred years. Her pride is determined to keep her safe and bonded as fast as they can to another draki of their choosing. Breaking the rules for a daytime flight, Jacinda is spotted and pursued by draki hunters and barely escapes by the skin of her teeth. Being forced to live in a desert town, away from her draki pride and feeling lost in the human world, Jacinda finds out that life as she knows it is about to get quite complicated.

FIRELIGHT is one intriguing, exciting story that mixes mythology, conflicts for Jacinda to deal with, and a star-crossed romance that can get Jacinda killed if the wrong person finds out. Ms. Jordan is stepping into the young adult genre with an exceptional tale that introduces the reader to the draki or descendants of the dragons. They can shift into humans and try to keep themselves hidden away for they are hunted by ruthless draki hunters. The writing was tight, action fast paced and the author does a great job in creating a story around such mythical creatures. It’s very in-depth with some amazing secondary characters keeping the story flowing nicely and at an even pace.

Meet Jacinda, a descendant of the dragons or draki. She can shift forms to be human to hide from the draki hunters and enjoys being a dragon. She is the only fire breather in the pride in the last few hundred years and the pride is determined to make sure she stays there. Jacinda is a teenager who enjoys the freedom of being a dragon and one I found at times a bit whiny. She can come across as selfish, annoying and not very pleasant but overall, she is a teenager who is dealing with some weighty things in life. I can cut her some slack on being whiny though at times it does get tedious. Will, the draki hunter who stirs Jacinda’s draki is different from the other hunters. He is kind, nice and stirs her draki in ways she never expected. Is this something Jacinda should be concerned about or should she enjoy the feelings whenever she is around Will? The author does a good job at fleshing out her characters and making them relatable. Who hasn’t always liked what their parents decided for them when they were a teenager? I know I have, countless times. The author captures the teenage angst perfectly between Jacinda, her mother, who let her draki die inside to become human and her twin sister who is a plain human.

FIRELIGHT sets the stage for a wonderful trilogy on the myth of draki living among us and the hunters who prey on them. The climatic ending leaves you eager for more and anxiously awaiting the next book to see what happens next for Jacinda. If you are looking for a new young adult book to explore, I highly recommend FIRELIGHT. Sophie Jordan delivers in her debit young adult book with flying covers.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE RECKONING by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Harper Teen
Date published: April 2010
ISBN: 978-0061662836
Young Adult, Paranormal
Hardback
Reviewed by Gina
Obtained via: Library


Chloe Saunders is still on the run with her friends Tori, Derek and Simon. Escaping the Edison Group and defeating the vile group's plans to kill them, they think they are relatively safe with Simon and Derek's family friend, Andrew. As each day passes they find their powers growing in leaps and bounds. When Andrew brings in some former Edison Group members to help the teens cope with their powers they quickly find out that the teens can outperform them. The quartet learns more about themselves and grow up fast in a matter of days. But all is not well. Two other werewolves are sent to kill Derek and Andrew's friends aren't as trustworthy as they would have the teens believe.

Without a doubt Kelley Armstrong is one of my all time favorite authors. While the Darkest Powers trilogy is billed as "young adult" they are super books for any age group. With hints of characters from her adult series I was disappointed to get to the end of THE RECKONING because I wanted to see where the teens go next. The door was; of course, open for further adventures at the end of the book.

As I've mentioned before, I'm not a huge fan of paranormals, but Ms. Armstrong's books definitely pull me in and once I start them I can't put them down. This one was a good read although some of the demonic characters and zombies turned me off. The story couldn't be told without them; they just aren't my thing. The ending left me a bit bemused. It tidied things up, no loose threads, but I felt like something was missing. That said, it is a definite read for any fans of Ms. Armstrong of paranormal books.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

FRAGILE ETERNITY by Melissa Marr

Publisher Harper Teen
Date published April 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-121472-1
YA/Fantasy/Contemporary
Hardcover
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by Dawn



Seth and Aislinn find themselves drawn deeper into the world of fairies as they try to stay true to themselves even as old friends become enemies and one wrong move could destroy all they hold dear in one fell swoop.

FRAGILE ETERNITY is the third book in this wonderful series that started with Wicked Lovely & Ink Exchange. I loved the first two books in this series and the third is no exception. With a vivid backdrop, memorable characters and more amid the pages, Ms. Marr claims the readers’ interest with her next chapter as Seth and Aislinn find themselves drawn even more into the world of fairies and struggle to keep the pressures from harming their relationship. I do recommend reading the first two books before this one as this continues the storylines from them.

Aislinn and Seth are back and this time they find themselves tested as never before as Aislinn is drawn deeper into the Fairies realm she rules with the Summer King, as alliances and rules shift that will either tear these two young lovers apart or drawn them closer than ever before. Ms. Marr is a masterful storyteller that will have the reader rooting for Seth and Aislinn to find their piece of happiness even as darkness finds them. With each page, the reader is thrust deeper into this magical world and captivated completely. With some twists that will leave you gasping, Ms. Marr delivers a story that will leave you eager for more.

FRAGILE ETERNITY is one of those books that you need to read over and over again. I love the lyrical prose Ms. Marr writes as she weaves her spell around you. With the right amount of romance, magic and mystery, she creates a story so memorable; you are in disbelief when the last page is turned. This is truly one of those rare books that transcends the stars and has you reaching for it again. I look forward to reading more adventures with Seth, Aislinn and all their friends in the future. I just hope this author doesn’t keep me waiting for her next book in the series. If you enjoy a unique story that will keep your interest and steal your heart, then grab FRAGILE ETERNITY. You will definitely believe in the magic of faeries by the time the book is done.


THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

WONDROUS STRANGE by Lesley Livingston

Publisher: Harper teen
Date published: September 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-157539-6
Young Adult Fantasy Contemporary
Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by: Publisher



In NYC, Seventeen year old Kelley is living her dream of working in theater and when she is told to take the lead after a misfortune of the leading lady, she is thrilled yet scared to death. Until one night she meets someone who shows her a world she has only read about in fairytales and finds herself drawn into a fight that will have both worlds in disarray. Can Kelley, Sonny and the rest of the Janus Guard stop the battle from spilling over as secrets of Kelley’s parents are revealed?

WONDROUS STRANGE is a perfect blend of fairies, Magic and theater all set in New York City. This is a new author to me and I was sucked into her world of magic gates, fairies, changelings and more within the pages of WONDROUS STRANGE. The characters are captivating, the setting magical and the mysteries kept me intrigued as I flipped the pages to see what would happen next. The book does start a bit slow as the author sets up the story and introduces all the players to you but once that is done the story moves fast to keep the reader entertained till the very last page.

Ms. Livingston introduces the reader to Kelley and her wacky friends in the theater. I loved the way this author kept me giggling as some of the secondary characters quipped their way thru a scene. It kept the story flowing smoothly especially as you get the point of view through both Kelley and Sonny’s eyes. It does slow a bit in the middle but then heats up again to the climatic ending that leaves you stunned and gasping for more. With kelpies, hell hounds, Fae and more, the author leads the reader on a journey as Kelley and Sonny find themselves caught in a battle brewing in the Fae to the mystery surrounding Kelley’s parentage. With all that and more in the pages of WONDROUS STRANGE, Ms. Livingston delivers a spellbinding story for any age to enjoy. I look forward to seeing where she takes us in the next chapter for Kelley, Sonny and the world of the Fae.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

NEVER CRY WEREWOLF by Heather Davis

Publisher: Harper Teen
Date published: September 2009
ISBN: 978-0061349232
Werewolf romance
Hardcover
Reviewed by Valerie


Shelby is a young teenager, experiencing her first crushes and getting to know boys. Thing is, she has the step-mother from hell who overreacts when she catches Shelby on the porch, just about to kiss her newest crush. This is when the hammer is dropped and Shelby is being shipped off to ‘Brat Camp’. Things look really grim until she meets Austin Bridges III. He’s the son of a rock star who has a really big secret. It starts with the camp staff finding vials of something in his bag which gets confiscated. Austin needs this ‘medicine’ desperately. If he doesn’t get it, then he will have to get out of the camp at full moon, before something terrible happens, and he needs Shelby’s help.

This is a story about young adults, for young adults and I found this story very entertaining. I enjoyed the characters, the plot and I could feel for the plight of Shelby and Austin. I did feel that the step-mother was a little over the top, but then I am sure that there are such people out there who are really strict and ready to pack off their kids to such camps for such minor misdemeanors. Kids are kids after all. I also read this story very quickly and did feel that it could have been fleshed out a bit more, but probably, for a young adult, this wouldn’t be a problem. I think Heather Davis has written a good, captivating story that lovers of the paranormal will highly enjoy.

THE STOLEN ONE by Suzanne Crowley

Publisher: Greenwillow Books/Harper Teen
Date published: June 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-123200-8
Young Adult/Historical
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn



Katherine Bab lives in the English countryside with her adoptive mother, Grace and Anna, Grace’s daughter. With her questions unanswered about her real parents and with Grace refusing to tell her anything except cryptic answers, Katherine is frustrated at every turn….until Grace dies and she seizes her chance to go off to London with Anna to find her answers and in the process finds a world unlike she has ever known before. Her talent with needlework works in her favor and she catches the eye of Queen Elizabeth and soon has become her favorite even as she tries to work her way through the halls of court and find the answers she seeks. Katherine is determined to find the answers to her past no matter the cost and in the process, she finds the woman inside that she was destined to become.

THE STOLEN ONE is a really good young adult story set in Elizabethan England with complex characters, mysteries and a storyline that will keep you entertained from start to finish. Katherine is a complex character who can be sweet, loving, brash and selfish. She is a character that you can relate to and the reader finds themselves wondering as the book unfolds who, exactly, are her parents. With some really interesting characters to keep the story moving along, Kat finds herself the fixture of rumors, plots and the fixture between two men who want her but Kat can not stop thinking of the one man she left behind or the world she soon longs for. Ms. Crowley delves deep into Kat and her secondary characters and brings them alive with a stroke of her pen. Hidden nuances keep the reader glued to the pages and I was enthralled from start to finish. I really wanted to know who Kat’s parents were just as much as she did.

As you read THE STOLEN ONE be prepared to get lost within the halls of Queen Elizabeth’s time and find out the one mystery that haunts Kat as she tries to find her way through a world so unlike she never knew growing up in the countryside. If you enjoy a really well told story set in the Elizabethan era then try THE STOLEN ONE. Ms. Crowley definitely delivers a story that will keep you guessing from start to finish.

PRETTY FACE by Mary Hogen

Publisher: HarperTeen
Date issued: March 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-084113-3
Young Adult
Trade paperback
Reviewed by Valerie


Hayley is a typical sixteen year old who has a pretty face and is fat. It doesn’t help that her mother forces her to eat tofu, or her pretty, thin friend has all the boyfriends. Hayley tries to flirt with hot, Drew Wyler, but Drew is more interested in her friend. A day at the beach causes Hayley to run in panic, no way is she going to be wearing a bikini. Then her mother decides to send Hayley to Italy to visit her friend. Under the Italian sun, Hayley begins to learn to enjoy life and accept who she is. She’s walking every day, eating real Italian pizza and has just met a very nice Italian boy. At last, she may have just found true love.

I am far from a young adult, but I found this story truly entertaining and heart warming. At the beginning of this story, I think every woman of every age can relate to Hayley. For us older readers, it just may be a trip down memory lane. I loved how Mary Hogan showed us the difference between life in the U.S.A and Europe. Poor Hayley gets thrown back to what she thinks is almost prehistoric times with no cell phone, no computer and a trek up a mountain to the nearest internet café. She’s amazed that she can actually drink wine in Italy. Mary Hogen shows how free people are in Europe. And I can assure you that every adult woman will love this story and will immediately pass it on to their daughters. It’s a story that will inspire.

RADIANT DARKNESS by Emily Whitman

Publisher: HarperTeen
Date published: April 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-172449-7
Fantasy/Young Adult
Hardcover
Dawn


Everyone knows about Persephone and how she was stolen away by Hades to be his queen down in the underworld. This is the tale of how Persephone became the Queen and love of the Lord of the Underworld, told by Persephone herself. A young woman determined to live a life for herself and in the end, finds a love worth fighting for and a life worth living.

RADIANT DARKNESS is from debut author Emily Whitman and tells the tale of Persephone’s life before she became the Queen of the Underworld with Hades. Ms. Whitman delivers a wonderfully told story that tells Persephone’s point of view on the whole myth and that one young woman’s desire to have a life of her own, even if her mother, Demeter, doesn’t agree. Full of teenage angst, Ms. Whitman delves deep into Persephone’s heart to show that even a young goddess wants love and a chance to have a life of her own, on her own terms. This author dives into the mythical tale with abandon and the reader gets a chance to see that maybe the myth that is being told in books and history just might not be the real story. RADIANT DARKNESS is Persephone’s story in her words of how she became the Queen of the Underworld and how the seasons of winter and spring came about in the aftermath.

Meet Persephone, a young teen goddess chafing for something, anything to get her some much needed excitement in her mother’s vale. When she meets Hades, she has no idea who he is but he calls to her deep inside her soul. With boredom and the need to show her mother, Demeter that she is not that little girl anymore, Persephone embarks on an adventure that delivers her a whole new world and love beyond what she ever imagined. Ms. Whitman definitely gets who Persephone is in RADIANT DARKNESS. Strong, yearning to be free of her mother’s strings yet also looking for love of her own; Ms. Whitman delivers a character that keeps you glued to the pages as you read about her adventures in the underworld and her romance with Hades. Can she find her place in his world? Will she ever be able to come into her own and become the person she thinks she should be? Is Persephone the victim history has made her out to be?

RADIANT DARKNESS is a story that shows the reader a new spin on the myth of Persephone and Hades’ courtship and love. Ms. Whitman does a fabulous job in creating a young lady full of hurts, independence and what she finds along the way to her heart’s reward. Can Persephone find a way to make her mother “see” her in a new light? RADIANT DARKNESS is a delightful tale that will show you a new way of thinking in that maybe Persephone wasn’t the victim here and that being true to one’s self means also sacrificing something in order to get her heart’s desire. I look forward to seeing more from this intriguing new author and if you love a good retelling of mythical tales full of gods/goddesses, then you will enjoy RADIANT DARKNESS.

SILVER PHOENIX *Beyond the of Kingdom Xia Series* by Cindy Pon

Publisher: Harper Teen
Date published: April 28th 2009
ISBN: 978-006173214
Young Adult/Paranormal/Fantasy
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn


Ai Ling is a young woman about to find out that she has been marked by the Immortals to destroy an evil that has been feasting in the Emperor’s Palace for centuries. When her father is held captive, she travels far and wide to set him free and in the process, Ai Ling must learn the power she holds as she finds her fate entwined with another traveler, Chen Yong. Can Ai Ling discover what she must do before it is too late?

SILVER PHOENIX is a delightful tale set in the exotic ancient world of China. With beautiful flowing storytelling that travels throughout the pages, the reader is drawn into the pages that fairly glow as they meet Ai Ling and her fellow traveler, Chen Yong. Both on quests but each with different endings and I found both characters very enduring and delightful. Ms. Pon delivers a spellbinding tale that leaves you breathless with its wonderful imagery, a fast paced storyline and twists and turns that abound. I normally do not read young adult fiction but this debut author definitely delivers a story I would love to revisit again.

Ai Ling is a young lady who wants her marriage to be filled with love and respect beforehand, not after the vows are said. What she gets is something totally different than even she has anticipated. At seventeen, this is a character that struck a cord in my heart as she tries to find her place in the world while at the same time be true to her traditions and family honor. Ms. Pon delves deep into Ai Ling’s heart and she really captured her emotions and feeling as I read SILVER PHOENIX. Her fellow traveler companion, Chen Yong is a young man who is traditional yet modern in my thinking. He respects the ancient traditions yet knows that more is out there then meets the eye. Sweet and strong is what I describe Chen Yong. He is a perfect foil to Ai Ling as their individual quests turn into a combined one. Add in demons dodging their every step and Immortals delivering riddles, Ai Ling and Chen Yong find that in the end, the strength is inside them to defeat the enemy holding Ai Ling’s father captive.

If you enjoy a story that is reminiscent to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, then you might enjoy SILVER PHOENIX. Ms. Pon is definitely an author to keep an eye on in the Young Adult world as she weaves a captivating spell around you in SILVER PHOENIX. This debut author delivers a story that will sweep you off your feet and leave you wondering if there will be more to come for Ai Ling. I look forward to reading more from this delightful author in the future.