Review: Past Midnight by Mara Purnhagen

Title: Past Midnight

Author: Mara Purnhagen

Release Date: September 1^st, 2010

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 216

Source: Borrowed from Library

Series: Past Midnight (#1)

Other Titles in the Series: One Hundred Candles (#2), Beyond the Grave (#3)

Summary (goodreads.com): Let me set the record straight. My name is Charlotte Silver and I'm not one of those paranormal-obsessed freaks you see on TV…no, those would be my parents, who have their own ghost-hunting reality show. And while I'm usually roped into the behind-the-scenes work, it turns out that I haven't gone unnoticed. Something happened on my parents' research trip in Charleston—and now I'm being stalked by some truly frightening other beings. Trying to fit into a new school and keeping my parents' creepy occupation a secret from my friends—and potential boyfriends—is hard enough without having angry spirits whispering in my ear.

All I ever wanted was to be normal, but with ghosts of my past and present colliding, now I just want to make it out of high school alive….

My Review:

This is the beginning of a series that I can see myself reading over and over again just for fun. I just love the idea of seeing inside a ghost hunter’s family. Ghosts are my favorite thing to read about so I knew that this would be just the book for me. Purnhagen is a great writer; she managed to make even the simplest of things, like furniture moving, sound like the scariest thing ever. Charlotte didn’t really believe in ghosts until one followed her home and the story that follows left me pretty freaked out. I’ve always wanted to be a ghost hunter but I never felt that I was brave enough, this book let me have a look into the ghost hunter life and now I’m positive that I would not be up for the job! Past Midnight is a quick-witted, fun, fast, and spooky book that will have you screaming for the next one!

Review: Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

Title: Witch Eyes

Author: Scott Tracey

Release Date: September 8^th, 2011

Publisher: Flux

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 332

Source: Won finished copy in contest

Series: Witch Eyes (#1)

Challenge: Debut Author Challenge 2011 (hosted by The Story Siren)

Summary (goodreads.com): Braden was born with witch eyes: the ability to see the world as it truly is: a blinding explosion of memories, darkness, and magic. The power enables Braden to see through spells and lies, but at the cost of horrible pain.

After a terrifying vision reveals imminent danger for the uncle who raised and instructed him, Braden retreats to Belle Dam, an old city divided by two feuding witch dynasties. As rival family heads Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe desperately try to use Braden's powers to unlock Belle Dam's secrets, Braden vows never to become their sacrificial pawn. But everything changes when Braden learns that Jason is his father--and Trey, the enigmatic guy he's falling for, is Catherine's son.

To stop an insidious dark magic from consuming the town, Braden must master his gift—and risk losing the one he loves.

My Review:

Before getting Witch Eyes I had heard a lot of good things about it and those recommending this book knew what they were talking about. Witch Eyes didn’t disappoint me. I liked the concept of the feuding families and the star-crossed lovers because it was all very Romeo and Juliet but with boys and one happened to be a witch and could see visions if he took off his sunglasses, revealing his witch eyes. Seriously, if Shakespeare had used Tracey’s plot instead of Romeo and Juliet just being spoiled Italian kids I’m sure a lot more teenagers would have liked it. I think I liked this book so much because of the main character Braden. He’s sarcastic but it’s easy to feel for him. It’s not hard to find Braden and Trey’s story moving, I am rooting for them to pull through. It’s an action packed novel with romance and mystery that’s sure to leave readers wanting the sequel the moment they close the book. A great debut, I look forward to reading more of Scott Tracey’s work!

GIVEAWAY: I have two signed Witch Eyes bookmarks to giveaway! I will pick two random people to win on December 10th at noon! All you have to do is be a GFC follower on this blog and comment on *this blog post* answering the following question (with your email so I can get a hold of you if you win):

1) Who is your favorite Literary Witch/wizard/warlock and what book are they from (Harry Potter answers are excepted, but if you could say someone from a different book that would be great)?

GOOD LUCK!

Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Title: The Name of the Star

Author: Maureen Johnson

Release Date: September 29^th, 2011

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 370

Source: Bought signed copy from Books of Wonder

Series: Shades of London (#1)

Summary (goodreads.com): The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

My Review:

BRILLIANT! I can’t get enough of Maureen Johnson’s writing. There was a lot of flailing going on as I read MJ’s latest book. There was so much hype for this book and guys the hype is 100% real! NotS is so freakin’ cool! Everything about it, from Rory to her family to her friends, to Jack the Ripper to Shades and to London itself is all written so spectacularly that I honestly just want to awkward hug the heck out of MJ as thanks for writing this fantastic novel! My favorite aspect of this novel is the Jack the Ripper plot line. I’ve always been interested in him, and I was curious as to how MJ would add that into her story. She didn’t disappoint, I can’t tell you how he’s involved but let me tell you that she had me on the edge of my seat for the whole entire book! Another great part about this is Rory, who is a lot like her creator in my opinion. I think Rory is like Maureen Johnson in that she is her own person, she knows who she is and I think that’s wonderful. Maureen Johnson to me means character driven novels and this one fills in with that. I always loved Maureen Johnson’s heroine (Ginny in 13 Little Blue Envelopes, Scarlett in Suite Scarlett to name a couple) because of their jump-off-the-page-personalities.

I also have a soft spot in my heart for this book because Maureen Johnson is my personal Heroine! MJ is an amazing woman who inspires everyone to be who they are and not be ashamed of it! She is the leading force in the YA Saves movement and she’s also a generally fun person. I encourage you to follow her on twitter (@maureenjohnson) because when she tweets it will make your day!

Another reason I have a soft spot for The Name of the Star is that MJ sent me a Jack the Ripper button which I wear proudly on my bag every single day (it says "I SURVIVED JACK THE RIPPER AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS BLOODY BUTTON").

I cannot praise The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson enough so you are just going to have to take my word for it and buy or borrow it from a friend or your local library as soon as possible!! If I could give it more than 5 HEARTS I would, that’s how much I loved this, it could be in its own CATEGORY of LOVELYNESS!

Review: Silvertongue by Charlie Fletcher

Title: Silvertongue

Author: Charlie Fletcher

Release Date: April 28^th, 2009

Publisher: Hyperion

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 352 (audio book has 9 parts)

Source: Audio book from Library’s Overdrive Media Console

Series: Stoneheart (#3)

Other Titles in the Series: Stoneheart (#1), Ironhand (#2)

Summary (goodreads.com): The city of London is in the middle of one of its most destructive wars in history. And yet most of its inhabitants don't even know it.

The battle between the statues and gargoyles of London rages on. The stakes are high, with the spits engaged in a struggle against the evil taints that will determine the fate of their very souls.

Twelve year old George Chapman and his friend Edie are caught in the middle. A glint with the ability to "see" the past, Edie has become a crucial asset in the ongoing war. The Gunner, a statue of a World War I soldier, continues do his part to help them in their quest. But George knows that he is the one who must play the biggest role in helping to bring an end to the war. With the Walker intent on forcing his evil designs on London and the world, George realizes that his destiny is inextricably tied to the Walker's destruction. In the end, the most important soul he manages to save might just be his own.

*REVIEW OF AUDIO BOOK*

My Review:

I’m really sad that this is the last book in the Stoneheart trilogy. This story has become so close to me and to have it end is heartbreaking, but all great stories must come to an end and this one is no exception. I cannot remember a time when I laughed or cried so much during a book. And the characters- Oh! The Characters make this book what it is! George, who is heroic and will do anything to save his friends and London. Edie, who is the smart aleck with a sense of humor and a terrible past. The Gunner, Statue Extraordinaire who will stand up for the kids even if he dies in the process. Dictionary and Clocker, the duo who made me laugh the most. Spout, the gargoyle foe turned hysterical friend. The sphinxes, who must finally decide what side they are on. The Black Friar and Little Tragedy, who try to do what they can for those in need even if they may not seem the friendliest at times. I could go on and on (but I won’t), these characters and their stories will stay with me forever. The adventures they go on, the people they met, the foes they defeated and the laughs they shared will stay in my heart and I will make sure as many people as possible get them in their lives as well. I will forever be thankful to my Uncle Jim and cousin Kelly for introducing me to the books and then spending hours texting about them (respectively). If you only read one trilogy this year make sure its Stoneheart!

Review: Ironhand by Charlie Fletcher

Title: Ironhand

Author: Charlie Fletcher

Release Date: May 20^th, 2008

Publisher: Hyperion

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 400 (audio book has 8 parts)

Source: Audio book from Library’s Overdrive Media Console

Series: Stoneheart (#2)

Other Titles in the Series: Stoneheart (#1), Silvertongue (#3)

Summary (goodreads.com): Now that George Chapman has upset the fragile truce between the warring statues of London, he has been drawn into a war that will test his mettle. He and Edie, a glint who can see the past, may have succeeded in their quest to find the Stoneheart, but their journey is far from over.

Edie and the Gunner, a statue of a World War I soldier, have been captured by the Walker, and it's up to George to save them. But first he must deal with the three strange veins, made of marble, bronze and stone, that have begun to grow out of his hand and curl around his wrist. Legend has it that unless he successfully completes three challenges, the veins will continue up his forearm, and eventually pierce through his heart.

As George struggles to find the strength within to face the choice he has made, to take the Hard Way, he is determined to use his power for good--even as others wish to harness it for its great potential for evil.

*REVIEW OF AUDIO BOOK*

My Review: Now that we know about George, Edie and their statue friends and foes, Ironhand starts off right where the cliffhanger left us in Stoneheart. I don’t think I can make this review very long because I honestly want to tell you EVERYTHING that happened and just generally gush about it, which would give everything away and you wouldn’t have to even read the book so, yeah, let’s just say that I love this series! The plot of the first novel carries over into this novel brilliantly and adds more plot twists so they can carry over to the next book. What I love about these books is that Fletcher’s writing makes me feel like I *am* in London and that I am the one all these things are happening to. He makes it so you are so caught up in George and Edie’s story that it is literally difficult to put the book down (or in my case, stop listening, as I was listening to the audio book). Read or listen to this series as soon as you can, you won’t regret it!

Review: The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Queen

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: January 25^th, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 358

Source: Borrowed from Library

Series: The Iron Fey (#3)

Other Titles in the Series: The Iron King (#1), The Iron Daughter (#2), The Iron Knight (#4)

Summary (goodreads.com): My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

My Review:

Meghan Chase’s main story line ends with this book and while that is sad, I feel that Kagawa gave her the perfect send off. The characters and the plot developed in ways I couldn’t have imagined. We got to see more of Meghan and Ash’s relationship and more of Meghan and Puck’s friendship and of course we got to see more of that pesky gray cat, Grim. The adventures they go on are even more exciting and the stakes are even higher, win or the Nevernever will cease to exist. Yeah, no pressure or anything though. Meghan becomes a strong, selfless, and fearless leader throughout the course of this book and that made me love her and her story even more! Overall, I am glad I read these books and I cannot wait to read Ash’s story in The Iron Knight!