Shadow Kiss *Review*

Shadow Kiss

By: Richelle Mead

Product Description:

What if following her heart means Rose could lose her best friend forever?

Rose Hathaway knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa-the last Dragomir princess-must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken . . .

But since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling right. Something dark has begun to grow in her mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. And now that Lissa and Rose's sworn enemy, Victor Dashkov, is on trial for his freedom, tensions in the Moroi world are higher than ever.

Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing, but now there's way more than friendship at stake. The immortal undead are prowling, and they want vengeance for the lives that Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmares, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most . . . but will her choice mean that only one can survive?

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Wow. This is the third book in the Vampire Academy series. It's much longer then the first two books and dare I say better then them too. There's even more character development in this book, more spookiness and more romance. What more could you want from this series?

Rose definitely has grown a lot, but she still has her funny, smart-ass attitude. Plus is finally takes her first step towards freedom, though at a huge cost. We even get to see more of Christian and Eddie's characters, which I find to be a plus. Not much Mia though. Rose's sanity and the spookiness of her seeing ghosts was also well played out. I loved the twist with the element spirit.

Needless to say this is an excellent book. After I finished the ending I wanted to cry though. I really can't wait to see what happens next. I've never been so emotional over a book since The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray. Not even Harry Potter or Twilight made me that emotional. That's how good and amazing this series is in my mind.

 Overall Rating: 9.5/10

Great series that will stay in your heart. Buy it! Love it! Worship it! Pray that the next book comes soon!

Frostbite *Review*

Frostbite

By: Richelle Mead

Product Description:

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if handto- hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks….This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…

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Second book in the Vampire Academy series and just as good as the first. No sloppy seconds here! If you thought Rose was really immature and childish in the first book just read this one and you'll be shocked. I love the character depth and how much they've grown. Not to mention there's more action in this book, especially towards the end.

I love the winter so I was glad to see this book take place during the winter time. I'm also glad that this story takes place over months instead of days like some novels. New interesting characters are also introduced to the story, which leads you wondering what role they'll play in upcoming novels.

Overall, I can't express how much I love this story. The characters are fun, different and likable or hate-able. The plot and setting are also great. The romance, could have been alittle more, but there's enough to keep you loving it. Plus a love triangle or square? For those who like them!

 Overall Rating: 9/10

Great sequel to a great series. Buy it! Love it! Worship it!

*This is an older review*

Project 17 *Review*

Project 17

By: Laurie Faria Stolarz

Product Description:

High atop Hathorne Hill, near Boston, sits Danvers State Hospital. Built in 1878 and closed in 1992, this abandoned mental institution is rumored to be the birthplace of the lobotomy. Locals have long believed the place to be haunted. They tell stories about the unmarked graves in the back, of the cold spots felt throughout the underground tunnels, and of the treasures found inside: patients' personal items like journals, hair combs, and bars of soap, or even their old medical records, left behind by the state for trespassers to view.

On the eve of the hospital's demolition, six teens break in to spend the night and film a movie about their adventures. For Derik, it's an opportunity to win a filmmaking contest and save himself from a future of flipping burgers at his parents' diner. For the others, it's a chance to be on TV, or a night with no parents. But what starts as a playful dare quickly escalates into a frenzy of nightmarish action. Behind the crumbling walls, down every dark passageway, and in each deserted room, they will unravel the mysteries of those who once lived there and the spirits who still might.

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Sound alittle spooky? It's not as bad as it seems actually and that may be a turn off already for some people. This is the fifth book I've read by Stolarz, the other four being The Blue Is For Nightmares Series. Since I loved those books I definitely wanted to read the newest book by this author. My reaction though ended up pretty mixed.

I liked the environment, characters and the direction the plot was going, but felt like the climax misfired. My favorite characters were well developed, but not all of the six main teens were as well developed as they could be. The spooky was also good in the beginning, but after continuing reading it died down for me and I was able to read the book in the dark with ease. Trust me I'm not the bravest person in the world either.

Fans of Stolarz's old books will definitely like this book I'm sure. Others I think will be mixed, especially since their favorite character might get a crappy ending that they might not like. It depends on which characters you get attached to and what couples you want to happen.

 Overall Rating: 6/10

Not Stolarz's best, and not for hardcore horror fans. If you like alittle bit of spookiness and romance then atleast borrow it from the library or a friend.

*This is an older review*

Keturah And Lord Death *Review*

Keturah And Lord Death

By: Martine Leavitt

Product Description:

"I will tell you . . . a story of magic and love, of daring and death, and one to comfort your heart. It will be the truest story I have ever told. Now listen, and tell me if it is not so."

Martine Leavitt offers a spellbinding story, interweaving elements of classic fantasy and high romance. Keturah follows a legendary hart into the king's forest, where she becomes hopelessly lost. Her strength diminishes until, finally, she realizes that death is near. Little does she know that he is a young, handsome lord, melancholy and stern. Renowned for her storytelling, Keturah is able to charm Lord Death with a story and thereby gain a reprieve -- but only for twenty-four hours. She must find her one true love within that time, or all is lost. Keturah searches desperately while the village prepares for an unexpected visit from the king, and Keturah is thrust into a prominent role as mysterious happenings alarm her friends and neighbors. Lord Death's presence hovers over all until Keturah confronts him one last time in the harrowing climax.

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If you read the first sentence of the product description that's the tone of how the whole story's told. In a fairy tale sense. Since I love fairy tales though I loved it and was able to adjust to it easier then others will.

Overall the story is told like a fairy tale. There is romance, more then one guy in love with the heroine and Lord Death. I for one liked the heroine, but I'm sure not everyone will feel the same way. I liked the way Keturah told stories to Lord Death, but would keep the ending from him in order to live another day. It reminded me a lot of Queen Scheherazade from the Persian tale "One Thousand and One Nights" when she told stories to the King without ending them so that he wouldn't kill her in the morning. But, that a different story.

If you like stories with fairy tales, multiple directions that the heroine could take and alittle romance then definitely give this book a try. Hopefully you will be satisfied with the ending like I was, since she ended up with the person I wanted her too. :D

 Overall Rating: 7/10

Good fairy tale story and good book. More people should look into it in my opinion.

*This is an older review*

Blue Bloods *Review*

Blue Bloods

By: Melissa de la Cruz

Product Description:

When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart; they were not escaping religious persecution. Indeed, they were not even human. They were vampires.The vampires assimilated quickly into the New World. Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society. The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries. But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out. Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw foodand she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a girl from her school is found dead . . . drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesnt know what to think. Could those vampire legends really be true?Steeped in vampire lore and set against the heady backdrop of the rich, young, and powerful in the heart of New York City, Blue Bloods will be devoured by Melissa de la Cruzs legion fans.

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This isn't my first series by Melissa de la Cruz, so I already was used to her writing style before reading this book. Cruz usually writes books that I call "beach books." Good for the beach, fun reads and her books are definitely a lot better then most normal crappy beach books. This book though is definitely her best series and I'm glad I read it.

I usually tend to like one or two of Cruz's characters a lot in each series. This series is no exception. I loved two of the characters dearly and couldn't wait to find out what would happen to them in the series. The main character is also not a Mary Sue or annoying at all. In fact she is very lovable in my opinion.

The main problem I read in negative reviews was that the story didn't follow history correctly. Being one who hates history and really doesn't care if a fictional book follows history correctly or not I was able to easily overcome this fact. If you are like me, I'm sure you'll overcome this fact and enjoy the story too.

 Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Good vampire book, with tints of Gossip Girl writing style thrown it. Good book to own or borrow.

*This is an older review*

Twilight *Review*

Twilight

By: Stephenie Meyer

Product Description:

About three things I was absolutely positive:
First, Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him–and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be–that thirsted for my blood.
And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

“I’D NEVER GIVEN MUCH THOUGHT TO HOW I WOULD DIE– I’d had reason enough in the last few months –but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this. . . . Surely it was a good way to die, in the place of something else, someone I loved. Noble, even. That ought to count for something.”
When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.
What Bella doesn’t realize is the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And, it might be too late to turn back. . . .
Deeply seductive and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight will have readers riveted right until the very last page is turned.

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Oh, Twilight the book everyone loves to hate now. To be honest though I first read the book back when it was only a couple months released in 2005. The reason I read it? My one friend somehow came across it, loved it and kept shoving it into my face until I read it. 

When I was fifteen I loved Twilight, even at the age of eighteen now I still have a soft spot for Twilight. I loved Meyer's writing in the first book (this does NOT speak for all the rest in the series). I loved following Bella around in the first book and could easily relate to her. I didn't even like vampires back then! Magic, yes. Vampires, no. So I was pleasantly shocked at how she portrayed them back then and am now in love with the vampire genre in general.

Of course though every books has it's flaws whether there tiny or not. The secondary characters in Twilight don't play much of a role and I often got them confused and couldn't even remember what they look like (Luckily they play bigger roles and become more memorable in the other books). The plot is also not really there and there's barely any action until the end.

Overall, I enjoyed the first book for it's fantasy style writing and likable main characters. Though I must warn that characters like Bella become more unlikable and Mary Sue-ish in the other books. So if your planning on continuing this series you have been warned.

 Overall Rating: 8/10

Good first book. Though if you like the first book you may want to skip out on reading the other books in the series.

*This is an older review*

Hazing Meri Sugarman *Review*

Hazing Meri Sugarman

By: M. Apostolina

Product Description:

Poor, dear Cindy Bixby is a total loser. Has been all her life. But now as she enters college, Cindy hopes to shed her loser ways -- get some friends and maybe even (dare she think it?) get a boyfriend. Her first move out of loserdom: pledge Alpha Beta Delta.
There Cindy meets Meri Sugarman. Meri is not only beautiful, she controls the sorority, a position that gives Meri more power than...well, maybe not God, but certainly any person within a one-hundred-mile radius. (How, you ask? Think of today's technology and what you could do with it if you were so (illegally) inclined. Get the picture? ;-) )

Meri teaches Cindy that she, too, can be perfect. She can be beautiful, sexy, and popular, influence teachers and politicians, and even have a boyfriend!

But when the new Cindy crosses into Meri-only territory (hint: where there's trouble, look for boy), new -- very scary -- Meri emerges. And Cindy realizes that behind all that beauty is an evil beast that must be stopped.

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So how did I come across this series? Which so far contains three books. Well my friend and I were talking and she recommended it to me. She owned all three and loved them plus I read a lot of positive reviews on it. So I borrowed it from her and gave it a shot!

The back of the book and cover are definitely funny and so is the main character. I started out liking her in the series, but of course later on she becomes alittle more annoying and ignores her old friends who aren't as cool. I'm sure we've all read or watched something like this before. Luckily it doesn't stay that way for long.

By the end of the book I either loved or hated any of the characters. I just never got attached to any of them, which I think is an important part of reading. Luckily the story is funny and it was nice to read a book about a college freshman going to college at the exact same time as I was. Other then that I might read the other books in the series if I ever am bored and have run out of things to read.

 Overall Rating: 5.5/10

A funny book. Especially a nice read for high school seniors or college freshmen, but that's it.