Over the Moon by Diane Daniels Review

Published: July 27th 2010 by Tate Publishing
Paperback, 256 pages


Book Description:

When seventeen-year-old Tiana moves to Hurricane, Utah, her comfortable world is turned upside down as she traverses the rough waters of adjusting to a small town and new school. Her father insists they were supposed to move here for some unknown, important purpose, and the voice in her head tells her not to argue. After resigning herself to being a miserable outcast, Tiana finds that she is not only accepted by most of the students at her new high school but is also the recipient of unwelcome attention from the opposite sex.

But then she meets the mysterious Andrew Martin and is soon Over the Moon crazy about him. Andrew seems to be the perfect boyfriend: protective, tender, good with her parents, and a fabulous kisser. But he also has a few unusual qualities: an intuitiveness that borders on mind reading, a touch that seems to heal, and almost superhuman strength. Tiana marvels at his talents but doesn't seriously consider the implications until she can no longer ignore the clues: Andrew does not belong on Earth. When Andrew admits his true identity, Tiana enters a world previously unknown to her and is plunged into mortal danger as it is Andrew's sworn duty to combat evil, extraterrestrial villains who wish to invade Earth and enslave mankind.

Review:

The author might as well have used all the names mentioned in Twilight, and I mean all of them. And what the heck, why not throw in the setting in there too.

Over the moon had a lot potential. There were times in the book where I was engrossed in learning all about the extraterrestrial and Andrew Martins' world. It was the only part of the story that was thought provoked. I could care less about Tiana...the only dialog that came from her was,

"The bell rang, and he was gone. How did he manage to get out of the room so fast? Was he trying to avoid me...?"

"...I feel so stupid. I was so angry at Jordan. He attacked me in a cave. I ran away..."

The passion in the novel was all to heard of by many of Twilight read-a-likes. However there were a few olden days love gestures that I liked but not enough to save the story in all. By the end of the book, I envisioned the author taking more time to make this a much more spectacular, unique read and thought...WOW, this could have been brilliant.

Too bad really. The best thing about this book was the cover art.

2/5

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa Review

Published: August 1st 2010 by Harlequin Teen
Paperback, 359 pages
Series: The Iron Fey (Book 2)
Book 1: The Iron Daughter For Review Click here.

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Favorite Quote...

"Tears filled my eyes and ran down my face, The gash on my cheek stung where they passed, but I didn't care. All I could see was Ash's pain, his loneliness, his yearning for someone who wasn't me..."

Another fun, entertaining read from the Iron Fey series. Julie Kagawa can do no wrong, her ideas and writing are once again, phenomenal!

So basically the story is another quest. It's a journey to find the Scepter of the Seasons that which was taken by "a new" kind of Iron fey. However close by, Meghan and the gang stop at nothing to win the oncoming war.

For the most part, this story was entertaining with all it's fun dialog, adventure and entrancing romance. Meghan, whose officially my favorite character in the books, is incredible. Her ways in handling a tough situation is still shocking...and so...inspiring. And how could I miss Grimalkin? the mysterious all-seeing cat. Team Ash? Team Puck?How can I choose from the two? They're both brilliant in their own personalities...

I can't get enough of puck and his witty remarks, nor can I ever forget the knowing, sweet and sexy Ash.

As for the rating, I didn't give The Iron Daughter a perfect mark because there were times, in just a few parts of the story, where I couldn't help but sigh boredom. But still a great book.

4/5

More from the Iron Fey Series...

Book 1: The Iron King ~*~ Book 3: The Iron Queen

The Greyfriar by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith Review

Title: The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire, Book 1)
Published November 18th 2010 by Pyr Paperback, 320 pages


Vampire predators run wild in this exciting steampunk adventure, the first in an alternate history trilogy that is already attracting attention.

In 1870, monsters rise up and conquer the northern lands, As great cities are swallowed up by carnage and disease, landowners and other elite flee south to escape their blood-thirsty wrath. One hundred fifty years later, the great divide still exists; fangs on one side of the border, worried defenders on the other. This fragile equilibrium is threatened, then crumbles after a single young princess becomes almost hopelessly lost in the hostile territory. At first, she has only one defender: a mysterious Greyfriar who roams freely in dangerous vampire regions.

Whew , this book spoiled me. I loved it in so many ways...

But I must admit, I hadn't been quickly immersed in this book after reading the back description and I guess I was afraid by the presentation in the first few pages too because it was slightly intimidating in all it's alternative(otherworldly)history ...I was very wrong in my prediction. The promise of greatness in this read was fulfilled and there is no doubt that the on going Vampire Empire series will be epic. Enriched with wicked steampunk adventure, this read overachieves in all genres from soul-defined romance to impressive combative action. I was also enthralled by the glow of realism in the story too, it merged with the fantasy and paranormal romance aspects of the novel almost perfectly.

As for the cons, I waited for the eventual cliches but the writing was so crazy good that it distracted me from any that came. The love was something else too...it was a fine twist in the vampire romance part of the novel.

Clay and Susan Griffith are a fantastic duo.

By the end of the book I was completely blown away and excited for the upcoming sequels. The Greyfriar is a hidden classic, a thrilling story and I hope you consider this book because this book is too good to be missed.

Here is a video of the trailer for The Greyfriar if you'd like a peek at that:




4.5/5







Fav Quotes...

" "Greyfriar!" His tall figure leapt, and he drew his rapier while in the air, the blade falling as he came down. A bloody head lolled to the side. The swordsman didn't stop moving but rushed the vampire Adele was barely holding at bay...Clawed hands rose to strike the man across the face, but Greyfriar ducked and thrust through the chest of his opponent, twisting the blade to destroy her heart. The body fell to the ground and Greyfriar turned to Adele."

"Her hands astonished him. Her skin was so much darker than his alabaster flesh..."

The Pace by Shelena Shorts Review

Series: The Pace Series, Book 1
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Pages: 302 (Paperback)

Weston Wilson is not immortal and he is of this world. But, aging is not part of his existence, and eighteen-year-old Sophie Slone is determined to find out why. In doing so, she could also uncover something about her own life expectancy that she may not want to know. Suddenly, immortality will mean everything and nothing all at the same time.

Surprisingly good read by new author Shelena Shorts. Ignorance got the best of me at first but never again I say!


The story is wicked awesome but reads nice and steady. I don't really like a very complex read and being that it's a science fiction novel, one would expect it to be just that but it's far from a drag. The suspense is excellent, these days ya fiction could get a little annoying and repetitive which would have me end up skipping pages...


But thank God for Shelena Shorts, she brought to life a marvelous story with clever, very likable characters.


Not only is Weston ageless, but in my opinion, near flawless...my gosh can the man be anymore breathtaking. Sophie is one lucky gal but I don't envy her because one can't help but be intrigued by her. She's got a good heart and a strong mind but in a way she's still like everyone else...it's easy to want know about a character when their thoughts and ways of doing things are so inspiring. However, the conjuring of such a character isn't so easy but Shelena does just that.


I was also impressed by the way Shelena Shorts intertwined the science fiction aspects of the novel with Weston's and Sophie's romance, the control she has in her writing is something to appreciate. By the way this story was put together, I can see the author's determination in making a well thought out story with catchy characters, original setting and good flowing dialog. Shorts is one sure debut author you can't miss.


5/5

The sequel, The Broken Lake(Book 2), has been released.

The third book, The Iron Quill(Book3), release date and cover Not Available

Unknown Magic by Evelyn M. Byrne Review

Note: Photos will lead to GoodReads


Title: Unknown Magic
Author: Evelyn M Byrne
Series: Daughter of Prophecy, Book 1
Publisher: White Bird Publications
Pages: 350 (Paperback)

Discovering she is a Tuatha Dé Danann straight from Irish Mythology, turns Megan’s life upside down. As if that was not enough, an arrogant, drop-dead gorgeous man tells her she is his mate.

Seamus escaped his mysterious captors seventeen years earlier, taking a little girl with him and returning her to her home. Returning to the one location he considers his safe haven, he recognizes Megan as the young child he rescued. Only now, she is stunning enough to make him forget, almost, just how treacherous his life is.

Megan soon realizes fighting her attraction for Seamus is a losing battle. But when the people hunting Seamus track them down, Megan and Seamus are faced with a much more immediate and deadly threat—a struggle for the lives of all the Tuatha Dé Danann. Can they overcome their pursuers and win?

(Note: There is some strong sexual content in this novel. Gets pretty Erotic at times.)

First off, I'd like to praise this beautiful cover art, it's actually what grabbed my attention first.

Now for the book itself, it was both very good and not so good in my opinion. Why? Because in short, the story is magnificent but it stumbles with too much details.

Throughout this story, Megan Tully tries to find her true self as a Magical Being with as much help as she can handle. Her father, Jim, isn't so carefree about the whole situation considering the trauma in their family that which Meghan barely remembers. Seamus who answers to fate and claims her as his match is the obvious choice for Megan whether anyone likes it or not, he as well as Megan's uncle's will try their best to help her recall most of what was forgotten before she becomes a full Tuatha herself on her 25th birthday.

The story was very exciting for the most part but I can bet it would've been better if it was cut down by a hundred pages or so. The magic was enchanting and the characters were just as appealing. I admired the pride of the Tuatha De Danann and was captivated by Seamus's love for Megan...he actually reminded of one of the the brothers in the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by JR Ward. If only the story didn't drag so much I would've favored it much more. It felt like I was stuck on the same subject for pages...and too many times I thought Megan as a teen rather than a women in her early twenties.

All together this was a worthy read and I will probably read the sequel when it comes out on Dec. 14, 2010

Favorite Quotes...

"She looked up into the most stunning pair of jade-green eyes she had ever encountered. She could see the rolling hills of Ireland in them and his face was that of a god."

"..."Oh, I do not think do. I will give you plenty of exercise to keep you in shape," Seamus said with raised eyebrows.""



3/5






Sequel: Stolen Magic

Elixir by Hilary Duff Review

Note: Photos will lead to GoodReads

As the daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington D.C. politician, Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. And though she dreads the paparazzi who track her every move, she herself is a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world.

But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful young man begin to appear in Clea’s photos—a man she has never seen in her life.

When Clea suddenly encounters this man in person she is stunned—and feels an immediate and powerful connection. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance and discover the centuries-old truth behind their intense bond.

Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fate, together they race against time to unravel their past in order to save their future—and their lives.

This book is the first in the elixir series by Hilary duff and ghost writer Elise Allen. I wasn't too surprised when I found this book to be full of mystery, suspense, romance, and drama all in good writing. I've always thought Hilary Duff talented and I can sense her ideas as I'm reading the book. As for Elise Allen...I got my eye out for this author as well. I must admit the story had it's moments of similar YA concepts but it also had a lot of boldness as well.

As others have mentioned, I agree when they say it's challenging to write a likable story dealing with the term "soulmates"...in this case, it wasn't overdone which was a relief because the plot and background story of the novel is very intriguing.

The end was abrupt but it didn't bother me as much it did for others. In all, a thrilling read. As for the sequel. Can't Wait!

5/5

My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent Review

Photos will lead to GoodReads

Book Description:

She doesn't see dead people, but…

She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

My Review:

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next…

Just to point out: It's hard for me to get into the whole sensing the near death and love triangles but I read this one because of the rave reviews and proof that there are exceptions to what people dislike. (For Example click hear for my review of The Body Finder).

In my opinion, My Soul to Take started out bland for me but promising myself to uphold the "100 page rule"...I kept on reading. As I read, I found the story original and tempting for the most part but there was just something I didn't like about it. Kaylee, the heroin, and the two boys never held my interest. Nash, the love interest, was as forgettable as the dialog itself.

To me, the book description gave me the impression that the story will be somewhat imperative and thoroughly heart pumping, but in the end, I felt let down and lost any interest to read any of the sequels. incent an "OKAY"

2/5

Prequel: My soul to Lose {0}

Sequals : My soul to Save {2} , My soul to Keep {3} , My soul to steal {4} , If I Die {5} .

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa Review

Note: Photos will lead to GoodReads

Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart.

The second I read this book I had an instant connection with Meghan Chase. Not only because my name is Meg too but because she has a little brother whom she feels protective of as I do... hence the the reason for her adventure through the bitter cold and pronged Winterland-the necessary fight against her love for IcePrince Ash and The Iron King himself to save her innocent kid brother. On top of all that not to long ago, she's filled in that she is the daughter of King Oberon and that forbidden to deal with anything that is anywhere below freezing temperature.

The Cover for one definitely does the story justice as well as the supporting characters that I must admit are surprisingly unforgettable in their own corner. Kagawa has that great way in her writing that makes you wonder if this book is in fact fiction. Zooming on the fantasy parts of the story, it's hard to believe that there ever was a place called Earth because the reader gets so deeply sucked in to the paranormal elements that it's difficult to get out. The characters are marvelously entertaining; Ash, Meghan, Puck, Grimalkin...they all have these great personalities from humorous to dangerously sweet to witty and seemingly carefree.

Another point I loved in this story is the absence of a wide range of old folk tale stories and dreadful information that would normally lead the reader to the actual, entertaining part of the story. It's a fresh story with enticing, cool mythical beings and typical yet original everyday characters that don't require so much energy to get into.

5/5

The Other Parts to The Iron Fey Series: Winter's Passage, The Iron Daughter and The Iron Queen.

Book 1.5 Book 2 Book3

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting Review

Note: Photos will lead to GoodReads

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

Bravo Kimberly Derting! Your writing certainly has the likability factor.

I say this because although the book description comes off a little typical and heard of by any young adult reader who love YA fiction...the book is one that will have you second guessing the whole way through.

The main character Violet is certainly one individual to look up to. She has the ability to sense death and to me, it's nothing I haven't heard of before but then there's Kimberly Derting. She entwined love and paranormal powers in a unique way that is precious in YA books, which is the presence of maturity in the characters, in this case teens. I love for a book with determined and caring teenagers, it goes perfect with Jay's and Violet's growing love relationship.

Derting is a fantastic voice for teens and young adults alike, she supports old school and presents fun flowing dialog . I just loved the visible maturity in Violets and Jays words. They've been friends since childhood and find that they're falling for each other but the book doesn't come off as cliche at all in my opinion.

I also should mention that I don't favor in "feels/hears the dead" stories but again this book has this originality that ties this book and author to one of my favorites definitely.

5/5

The sequel_*Desires of the Dead*_ is to be released on March 1st 2011 and is on the top of my list of "to read"

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain Review

Note: Photos will lead to GoodReads

Book Description:

A Prodigal Son

A Dangerous Love

A Deadly Secret

Grace Divine—daughter of the local pastor—always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood. Now that Daniel's returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother. As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul.Come the last page of the book, I wasn't satisfied and slightly disappointed. I'd gear this book more towards tweens than say a nineteen year old such as myself.

My Review:

There were times in The Dark Divine that were really interesting...for example, the points of the novel where the characters true self were presented. Daniel to be more specific but then again I wasn't head over heels for the guy. That went the same for Grace towards the end of the book. I can't comprehend the mention of "oh my, my waist is so slim in this dress! What ever should I do!"-(not direct quote, que the sarcasm)-not my flavor.

The Book had it's speed reading moments but then again it went slow at times with uninteresting side words around the main plot.

If you love wolves, hype, and have a dream to meet Jacob and visit La-Push...than this book might be for you.

3/5






Sequel(s): The Lost Saint{2}