Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being, that Ben has somehow brought her back to life. But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

Gripping, from the very beginning. This book was AHHHHHMAZING!! I wasn't quite sure at first where it was going, or what to really think but all of a sudden I was sucked in & fell in love w/ EVERYTHING about the book. Elizabeth writes a riveting story that keeps you on the edge of your seat....just when you start to settle in something else happens to tip you back to that edge all over again. Love, pure, perfect & meant to be....or not?! The love in this story is so sweet between friends, between more than friends. I hope to see more from Elizabeth with these characters.

Graceling Realm Series by Kristin Cashore

Kristin Cashore’s best-selling, award-winning fantasy Graceling tells the story of the vulnerable yet strong Katsa, a smart, beautiful teenager who lives in a world where selected people are given a Grace, a special talent that can be anything from dancing to swimming. Katsa’s is killing. As the king’s niece, she is forced to use her extreme skills as his thug. Along the way, Katsa must learn to decipher the true nature of her Grace . . . and how to put it to good use. A thrilling, action-packed fantasy adventure (and steamy romance!) that will resonate deeply with adolescents trying to find their way in the world.

This book is beautifully written! The story, the very words!!! The story jumps right in and grabs you from the very first paragraph with the intrigue of whats happening. Katsa is amazing, a very strong character who is just beginning to learn that strength doesn't merely mean "muscle". If you love a good adventure with a strong female character, you'll find it in Graceling.

 

 

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her. Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don't need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven't, you'll be dying to read it next.

I absolutely fell in love with Fire! She is an AMAZING character! I liked Graceling, but I LOVE LOVE LOVED Fire! Again, very well written, easy to read & of course couldn't put it down! I really got attached to the characters & the story in general. At times I felt the gut wrenching pain of decisions or situations, holding my breathe in fear or anticipation of just what would happen next. This was one of those books that I couldn't wait to finish but was also sad to finish. 

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck's reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past. Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

 I loved this one! The characters coming back from the first 2 books was probably the best part for me! I love the story, the mystery & the romance. I was disappointed with the direction Bitterblues' romantic relationship took....otherwise true to Kristin's previous work it was amazing! I hope there is more to come from the Graceling Realm

The Faerie Ring Series by Kiki Hamilton

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger. The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood. Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist. Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

So of course growing up I was always the 'Fairy Tale' kinda girl. Well, now that I'm supposedly grown-up, I adore a good 'Faerie Tale'. Kiki did NOT disappoint! The story was amazing, fast paced & full of intrigue. I related to Tiki trying to figure out who she could trust as well as her protective mothering nature. The entire storyline was phenomenal however, I think Kiki did a great job wrapping up the story yet leaving enough unfinished/unresolved so that you are desperate for more.....

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

In this lyrical, absorbing, award-winning novel, nothing is as it seems, and every clue leads to more questions. At age eleven, Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother. At fourteen, she ran away from boarding school, only to be tracked down and brought back by a mysterious stranger. Now seventeen, Taylor's the reluctant leader of her school's underground community, whose annual territory war with the Townies and visiting Cadets has just begun. This year, though, the Cadets are led by Jonah Griggs, and Taylor can't avoid his intense gaze for long. To make matters worse, Hannah, the one adult Taylor trusts, has disappeared. But if Taylor can piece together the clues Hannah left behind, the truth she uncovers might not just settle her past, but also change her future.

So, goodreads had this under dystopian. NOT!!!!! Not sure how to classify it, but its not my usual read....it took me awhile to get into it, but once I did, it was beautiful.....tragic but beautiful! Seeing how Taylors' mysterious past unfolds before her eyes is not only heartwrenching but bittersweet. To see such deep friendship & love really just makes you wonder.....

Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right.  She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her.  Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit.  But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth:  Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home. Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening.  And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

In order to review one of Amanda's books I feel you just need to say her name! Those who have read her books will instantly sigh & immediately know it'll be an ahhhhhmazing book! Foe those that have never read/heard of Amanda.....now is the best time to pick up 1 of her books. Amanda has an unbelievable gift she draws you into the story so deeply & emotionally that you'll actually feel what the characters are feeling, my heart has hurt at times, I've been spitting mad ticked off, I've held my breath in fear & awe. If I had to pick just 1 YA Paranormal author to rave on & on about its Amanda!!! The world of Trylle is so crazy yet she makes it so real! Wendy is an amazing character w/ a messed up padt & a shocking future she NEVER expected the journey is a roller coaster & so worth the price of admission.

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story… She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined—and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers—and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits…and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction. Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted…in both worlds.

If you thought the 1st book in the Trylle series was good, well it just gets better. Another roller coaster ride that will leave you naseaus but you dont know if its in a good or bad way. 1 day of barely moving and most of 1 night, i couldnt put it down! Wendy's life just keeps getting more shocking!

 

Wendy Everly is facing an impossible choice. The only way to save the Trylle from their deadliest enemy is by sacrificing herself.  If she doesn’t surrender to the Vittra, her people will be thrust into a brutal war against an unbeatable foe.  But how can Wendy leave all her friends behind…even if it’s the only way to save them? The stakes have never been higher, because her kingdom isn’t the only thing she stands to lose. After falling for both Finn and Loki, she’s about to make the ultimate choice…who to love forever. One guy has finally proven to be the love of her life—and now all their lives might be coming to an end. Everything has been leading to this moment.  The future of her entire world rests in her hands—if she’s ready to fight for it.

I think it's physically impossible for Amanda to write a bad story. Everything finally comes to a head for Wendy in this the finale book in the Trylle Trilogy. It was again stuck to my hands, I couldn't put the book down until it was over. I loved the conflict, the life altering decisions that had to be made in this final chapter. The end is amazing just like each of these books has been. My deepest sadness is that the story is over. 

I purchased these with the re-release & there was bonus stories in each book, Switched features "The Vittra Attacks" Torn features "One Day, Three Ways" and Ascend features "Ever After"

Each of these mini "novellas" or additional chapters just added to the whole Trylle experience! If you haven't got the re-releases with these additions, it's worth it!

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

Happily ever after is a thing of the past. A series of natural disasters has decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey. The people are growing restless.

When a ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, he makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only sixteen-year old Princess Eliza manages to escape. Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope-and love-once more.

Now she must risk everything to ensure that she does not become . . . The Last Princess...

I really enjoyed this book! Galaxy pulls you right into the story & heartbreak within just the first few pages. The female characters are strong not some weak limp wristed aristocracy & that made it even better! Im a Princess Leia kinda fan & thats the heart of this book I believe is the strong women. Of course there's romance & you will probably fall in love with the guy before the Princess does (I know I did)

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

This book caught me immediately & reeled me in instantly! It starts out quickly & reads quickly.  From almost page one the action starts & doesn't stop until the end! The writing was clear & concise even though there was quite a bit going on. The romance was JUST RIGHT  not over the top, but it was there & you will fall in love with the characters as well. I'll definitely be looking for more from this author!

Masque of the Red Death Series by Bethany Griffin

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population, and those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles around them. So what does Araby Worth have to live for? Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery makeup . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all. But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club, and Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does. And Araby may find not just something to live for, but something to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

This book was brilliantly written. I fell in love with Araby almost immediately. I've enjoyed reading a freshly written perspective of Poes story. I think I was really into this book because it hit all my favorite genres; of course it's historical, with some intense romance, steampunk & obviously dystopian is the backbone of the entire storyline. WINNER!!!!

Accidentally Yours Series by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Twenty-two-year-old Emma Keane has a secret friend. He’s powerful, mysterious, and devastatingly handsome. In her dreams, anyway. In real life, he’s an enigma. Maybe just a teensy jealous. Definitely overbearing. He’s also a voice only she can hear.

So who or what is he? He won’t say. But if she wants to be free, to be normal, Emma will have to trek to the jungles once ruled by the Mayans and find the forgotten ruin holding the answers. However, the ruthless deity she’s about to unknowingly unleash on the modern world might not be so easily extracted from her life. Bottom line, he’s got enemies, and now, so does she. 

FUN!!! FAST PACED & FABULOUS! I actually bought the second book first and after reading the first couple pages decided to read em in order! WORTH IT!  Mimi is an unbelievable story teller. I was engrossed from cover to cover. A new take on the paranormal world that just had me coming back for more!

“If you love her, set her free. If she comes back, she’s yours. If she doesn’t…Christ! Stubborn woman! Hunt her down, and bring her the hell back; she’s still yours according to vampire law.” - Niccolo DiConti, General of the Vampire Queen’s Army.

THE DETERMINED VAMPIRE: Niccolo DiConti has faithfully served as leader of Her Majesty’s army for over a millennium, but he’d rather sunbathe in the Sahara than spend another grueling day under his demented queen’s command. However, no one has ever left her side and lived to tell. So when a powerful goddess prophesies he will meet his salvation—a human woman he must turn into a vampire with her consent—he eagerly rises to the challenge. After all, how hard could it be to seduce a human female into taking the immortal plunge? Harder than he thinks. Because his mate won’t be born for another three centuries, and when he wakes up in the goddess’ tomb, not only is his life a mess, but his destined female isn’t about to settle for a coldhearted vampire. Can he win her over before it’s too late? Not if his enemies have anything to do with it.

AN UNWILLING BRIDE: On the night Helena Strauss meets the fierce, devastatingly handsome vampire who saves her life in the jungles of Mexico, she knows her world will be forever changed. Because an attraction this mind blowing only comes along once in a lifetime—or existence. And when he claims she is his one true mate, destined to be his for all eternity, it’s a fairytale come true. So what if her knight in shining armor is a vampire? Nobody’s perfect. But discovering the powerful, overbearing immortal doesn’t “do love?” Deal breaker. Helena will flee and set out to accomplish the impossible…sever the otherworldly bond between them. And it turns out, Helena is just the leverage Niccolo’s enemies need to break the mighty warrior and wipe out his people.  


It's another hit, what can I say?! I think I have found some of the best new books/authors (new to me) through my nook, either Free or $0.99 This is one of those! Yeah it's ANOTHER Vampire story but yet again a different perspective. Mimi is imaginative & original in her storytelling & this is another example of a book I just couldn't put down! Lots of action, intrigue & of course romance! Take a chance, check it out!