BOOK REVIEW: DEARLY, DEPARTED by LIA HABEL

DEARLY, DEPARTED

LIA HABEL

Publisher: Del Rey (2011)
Pages/Format: Kindle, 482 pages
Acquired: Purchased from Amazon

MARISSA'S RATING:   4 UNDEAD STARS!

Goodreads Description:

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

MARISSA'S REVIEW:

In a time and world where society fell apart, humankind rebuilt itself to an age where innocence was something to be admired and lifestyles hadn't been corrupted.  But of course.....this can only last for so long! This time mankind has evolved to include a virus that reanimates the dead.

Bram Griswold - undead/zombie guy.  Very quickly, I found myself forgetting what he was and seeing the guy that Nora Dearly was falling for.  His personal struggles with his unliving status are evident throughout and when we get to read into his personal diary, it's hard not to want to reach out and hug him!

Nora Dearly is our fierce, independent gal - daughter of the awesome Dr Victor Dearly. She is also somewhat of a social outcast at her prestigious school and joins her scholarship best friend Pamela Roe being taunted by the likes of Vespertine Mink...socialite.  

After being kidnapped and taken to an undead army compound, she finds out that her father isnt who or where he is supposed to be.  She meets Bram and over a short period of time they connect and form a semi-trusting bond....which becomes stronger as time goes on.

Nora is stubborn, independent and continually surprises herself and others around her.  She shrugs off societies need to have innocent pure girls unable to think for themselves.

The story has a fantastic blend of old school history with modern technology living.  Throw in the action, adventure, espionage and deceit of an eclectic cast and you have Dearly, Departed....Lia Habel's zombiefied steampunk series!

ENJOY!

MARISSA     

BOOK REVIEW: SPARK by AMY KATHLEEN RYAN

Title:  SPARK (Sky Chasers #2)
Author:  AMY KATHLEEN RYAN

Publisher:  St Martin's Griffin
Pages:  Hardcover - 309

RATING:  4 STAR SABOTAGE!!

Goodreads Description:

 Waverly and Kieran are finally reunited on the Empyrean. Kieran has led the boys safely up to this point, and now that the girls are back, their mission seems slightly less impossible: to chase down the New Horizon, and save their parents from the enemy ship. But nothing is truly as it seems…Kieran’s leadership methods have raised Seth’s hackles— and Waverly’s suspicions. Is this really her fiancé? The handsome, loving boy she was torn from just a short time before? More and more, she finds her thoughts aligned with Seth’s. But if Seth is Kieran’s Enemy No. 1, what does that make her?

In one night, a strange explosion rocks the Empyrean—shooting them off course and delaying their pursuit of the New Horizon—and Seth is mysteriously released from the brig. Seth is the most obvious suspect for the explosion, and Waverly the most obvious suspect for releasing him. As the tension reaches a boiling point, will Seth be able to find the true culprit before Kieran locks them both away—or worse? Will Waverly follow her heart, even if it puts lives at risk? With the balance of power precarious and the clock ticking, every decision counts… every step brings them closer to a new beginning, or a sudden end...

 MARISSA'S REVIEW:

The second in the Sky Chasers series, Spark has you second guessing just who the good guys (or spaceships!) are. Glow introduced us to the many and varied characters aboard the Empyrean and the New Horizon. In Spark, these teen characters are forced into an environment that tests their abilities both physically and mentally - and will definitely alter your own perception of individuals. 

I had a dislike towards Kieran in Glow....and by the midway of Spark - I despised him. Urrgh....I have honestly never felt such hatred towards a lead character in my reading years!!!

The struggle for power on the Empyrean continues to battle - Kieran, Seth and Waverly all playing pivotal roles. Waverly becomes stronger, independent and a thorn in Keiran's side.  

There are moments throughout the book that I had to remind myself that these are kids and teens running the ship. Each and every one of them stepped up to take on roles most barely new existed.

 

Throw into the mix a possible stow-away set on destroying the spaceship from the inside and we have an action packed, suspense filled sequel.

ENJOY!

MARISSA

BOOK REVIEW: GLOW by AMY KATHLEEN RYAN

Title:  GLOW (Sky Chasers #1)
Author:  AMY KATHLEEN RYAN

Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Pages/Format:  ARC paperback from publisher, 385 pages

Genre: YA Sci-Fi


RATING:  4 NEW EARTH STARS (HIDDEN IN THE NEBULA!)

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GOODREADS DESCRIPTION:

What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.

Glow is the most riveting series debut since The Hunger Games, and promises to thrill and challenge readers of all ages.

MARISSA'S REVIEW:

A sci-fi tale set to draw-in the YA world and take it on a journey of survival, self-discovery and love.  

Glow introduces us into the world that exists on-board the Empyrean - the space vessel taking people set to be the inhabitants of a New Earth.  Earth as we know it is spiraling out of control and will cease to exist in the not too distant future. 

The Empyrean  has a sister ship, New Horizon. The occupants of the New Horizon have their own mission - sabotage the Empyrean and take the girls.....you see no-one on the New Horizon can reproduce, yet the people of Empyrean have been successfully creating new families for many years.  What could possibly have caused this devastating outcome for the New Horizon?

With the attack and removal/demise of most girls and adults, the boys of the Empyrean are left to run a the ship and simultaneously embark on a new mission of their own to rescue the girls and adults being held captive on board the New Horizon.  They are all fighting for the same outcome...only fighting amongst themselves is inevitable.  Alliances are tested as two struggle for power.

Whilst the boys are head to head on the Empyrean, Waverley must take charge and lead the girls being held captive on the New Horizon.  Can Waverley step up and be the strong young woman she is required to be?   She needs to lead the young girls plus mount a rescue mission of her own.....and why not throw in an escape plan as well?!  Waverley discovers she will do anything to save the ones she loves....but can she kill another person that gets in the way?

I have held on to Glow for a few months now - I started reading it quite a while ago but my head just wasn't in the sci-fi space at the time. So back on the shelf it went.  When I was offered Spark (Sky Chasers #2) to review - I knew I had to pick up Glow and give it a chance.  And I sure am glad I did.  The characters are great - they evolve constantly throughout the book to suit the environment and perils they are faced with.   Yes the odd character needed a darn good slapping - I for one am not a fan of the male lead Keiren Alden.  He's just to "by the book" for me! But in saying that, Amy Kathleen Ryan wrote him very well.

At this stage I am team Seth - the bad boy rivaling Keiren for not only the captain's position.....but also Waverley's heart.

ENJOY!

MARISSA

BOOK REVIEW: POISON PRINCESS by KRESLEY COLE

Title:  POISON PRINCESS 
(The Arcana Chronicles #1)
Author:  KRESLEY COLE

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages/Format:  ARC paperback from publisher - 384pages



RATING: 5 POWERFULLY POISONOUS STARS! 

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Goodreads Description:

Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can’t do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side….

MARISSA'S REVIEW:

WOW! What an awesome way to delve into the talented world of Kresley Cole!  Poison Princess is fantastic read and I will certainly be grabbing all in The Arcana Chronicles upon their release.

A boy from the bayou and a girl from the privileged side of the bridge come together as survivors of the apocalypse.  They survive not just zombie style leftovers (reminiscent of The Walking Dead), but more horridly the cruel, vicious and evil side of the humans that remain - they too are trying to survive though many have become the worst version humankind can evolve into.

Evie and her Cajun cohort Jack are eons apart socially though they are brought together reluctantly to find Evie's grandma. She has the answers that Evie searches for - the answers that may help unlock Evie's drawings and the lethal power that Evie must learn to control.  

Along their travels we are introduced to new characters that will make you laugh, hate and feel emotionally tugged in all directions at some point. Yet  you will come out the other end glad to have jumped into the world of the Poison Princess!

Amongst an aftermath no man could ever want to be in, Poison Princess is also a tale of discovery - the discovery that not all innocence is lost.....and that even amongst a living nightmare - 16 year old girls fall in love with bad boys and get jealous!!

A short review - yes!   A powerful and disturbingly brilliant read - hell yeah!!  I can only do this book justice by insisting you read it.  It will not disappoint.

ENJOY!

MARISSA

BOOK REVIEW: A CORNER OF WHITE by JACLYN MORIARTY

Title:  A CORNER OF WHITE
Book One: The Colours of Madeleine Trilogy

Author: JACLYN MORIARTY 

Publisher:  PAN MACMILLAN
Pages: 412
Format:  ARC Paperback from Publisher
Genre:  YA Fantasy
Rating:  4.5 Butterfly Child Stars!
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Goodreads Description:

Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England, the World – a city of spires, Isaac Newton and Auntie’s Tea Shop.

Elliot Baranski lives in Bonfire, the Farms, the Kingdom of Cello – where seasons roam, the Butterfly Child sleeps in a glass jar, and bells warn of attacks from dangerous Colours.

They are worlds apart – until a crack opens up between them; a corner of white – the slim seam of a letter.

A mesmerizing story of two worlds; the cracks between them, the science that binds them and the colours that infuse them.

‘Perfectly strange, and absolutely comical and heartfelt ... Jaclyn Moriarty is one of the most original writers we have.’ – Markus Zusak

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MARISSA'S REVIEW:

A crack between two worlds is discovered by two uniquely odd teens...one from each world.  Elliott is from Bonfire - in the Farms region of the Kingdom of Cello; Madeleine currently resides in Cambridge, England (the World).  Madeleine discovers a note in a parking meter and responds - by replying to the letter and slotting it back into the crack of the parking meter!  Elliott is the lucky one to discover Madeleine's response and the two become unique pen-pals.

For Elliott, he knows that the World exists....unfortunately for him, Madeleine has no idea the Kingdom of Cello and it's menacing colours are real and presumes Elliott is a crackpot living out his make believe life through his letters.  But she'll respond anyway to each letter!  What has she got to lose?!

Throughout the story we get to read the letters that go back and forth between the pair. They are enjoyable, humorous at times and become a private insight into each character.  

Minor characters are equally enjoyable and just as quirky.  Two from each world are my favourite:  The Princess Sisters (Jupiter & Ko) in the Kingdom of Cello - flamboyant and spoilt princesses who behave as if everyone is beneath them and from The World, Jack and Belle - THE most quirkiest characters in the book! 

Well, Markus Zusak definitely sums this book up correctly (his quote is above)!  What we have here is a story quirky enough to have me thinking "this is not what I would usually read"....at the same time drawing me in to keep reading.   I sat above both worlds for A Corner of White - watching both stories play out.  I was an observer watching it all unfold before me.

And why not throw into to the humorous side the fact that I read the first two parts in a male/female voice of Will from The Inbetweeners!!!  Yes I know.....bit silly really....but hey - that's what came out from word one!  And I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Jaclyn is great Aussie Author and I will certainly be reading the remainder of The Colours of Madeleine Trilogy when they release.

Check out my interview with author Jaclyn Moriarty HERE !

ENJOY!

MARISSA

BOOK REVIEW: SCARY SCHOOL by Derek The Ghost

SCARY SCHOOL

by

DEREK THE GHOST

Publisher:  HarperCollins
Pages:  Ebook 
Available: Now
Age:  Elementary / Middle School
Acquired:  Sent for review from Derek The Ghost via his full bodied ghost whisperer Derek Taylor Kent !

RATING:  4.5 Hilariously Scary Stars!

Description:

You think your school's scary?  

Get a load of these teachers:

"Ms. Fang," an 850-year-old vampire
"Dr. Dragonbreath," who just might eat you before recess
"Mr. Snakeskin"--science class is so much more fun when it's taught by someone who's half zombie
"Mrs. T"--break the rules and spend your detention with a hungry "Tyrannosaurus rex"

Plus

Gargoyles, goblins, and Frankenstein's monster on the loose
The world's most frighteningly delicious school lunch

And

The narrator's an eleven-year-old ghost

Join Charles "New Kid" Nukid as he makes some very Scary friends--including Petunia, Johnny, and Peter the Wolf--and figures out that Scary School can be just as funny as it is spooky

 Marissa Review:

I have spent a fair bit of time reading this book......

BECAUSE IT'S SOOO COOL FOR KIDS!!  

My 8year old son (Lachlan) read this with me.  And after 4 reads...he (and I) am glad that the second book has now been released so we can grab that and read some more of this cool crazy school.

Derek Taylor Kent

I received a digital copy for review from none other than Derek The Ghost himself!  OK, so maybe he had a little help from Derek Taylor Kent!  The fun we had reading this had us ordering our own print version. 

Aimed at the elementary / middle school level - I have no doubt that Scary School will be well received by parents.    Lachlan and I enjoyed it so much that we have donated a set of the Scary School books (books 1 & 2 so far) to his classroom library for everyone to enjoy!  (For those interested, Scary School is an Accelerated Reader book.)

The story is narrated by Derek the Ghost and we are taken on a fun and crazy trip through the classrooms of Scary School.

Charles "New Kid" Nukid

We meet such great characters including the Rachael's ---- Raychel, Rachael & Frank (pronounced Rachel!) and of course Charles "New Kid" Nukid.  

This is Charles' first year at Scary School - and he's in for quite the adventure :)  At Scary School, there are no normal kids and teachers, no standard classroom rules or field trips..... you get teachers than can eat you, students that are werewolves and you can get killed before first bell - but don't worry...as long as you get to Nurse Hairymoles in time....you get brought back to life - just might not be the same as what you were before!!

Check out the book trailer and most definitely check out the most awesome website that compliments the series.  The kids (and parents) are gonna love it!

ENJOY!

MARISSA

 

5 STAR BOOK REVIEW: PUSHING THE LIMITS by @KatieMcGarry

PUSHING THE LIMITS

by

KATIE MCGARRY

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 409 (ebook)

Acquired:  From publisher via NetGalley
Available: Now!

Marissa's Rating:

5 STARS!

STOP WHAT YOU ARE READING.....

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!

Goodreads Description:

"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

MARISSA'S REVIEW:

Katie McGarry pulls out all stops and delivers a powerful, emotionally charged teen romance that will appeal to readers of all ages. It packs punches from so many angles and yes......I CRIED! Not just a tear  escaping down my cheeks.....but a steady evacuation of my tear ducts and a silent sob or two.  

Echo Emerson and Noah Hutchins are our focus characters in this powerful tale. Both have had fairly comfortable lives in the past...only to be thrust into despair, heartache, violence and self emotional torture. 

Echo has been dealt heavy blows with the death of her beloved brother Aires, the demise of her parent's marriage and a horridly traumatic event involving her and her mum....only she can't remember what happened - and no-one is telling.  The only reminder she has are the horrible scars on her arms and the knowledge that her mum was responsible. Oh yeah...and being ostracised from the IT crowd at school kinda sucks as well!
 
All Echo wants is to repair Aires '65 Corvette - she might just feel whole again after losing him.  But she must break down brick wall barriers her father has built in order to accomplish this one small thing. Not to mention allow her mind to let her remember what happened that night her world came crashing down around her.

Noah exists in a welfare system that has created a safe haven for his brothers....but ripped him out of their lives and into the unfortunate downside of the foster system.  He is determined to claw his way back and reclaim his brothers - convinced that he is their best hope at a good life.

Noah and Echo are thrust together by their school counselor - a move that sparks some amazing feelings and creates a bond and love that will be tested, prodded and pulled in all directions. 

All characters involved in this story are great to read.  None are  plonked there for their word count  - they all play important roles in the lives of Echo and Noah.

We read in alternating views from Noah and Echo.  Katie has pulled this style off brilliantly.  I never felt like "oh, I want more Echo" or "oh, I want more Noah"..... Katie fed the story to us in the right amount of portions that made for a satisfied reader at the end!

To say I enjoyed this tale is an understatement...it not just entertained me....it captured me.  

I will leave you with a snippet of a clip that I found on You Tube. it is a ballad titled Can You (Echo's Song) by Angela McGarry and is now available on iTunes.  There's also an upbeat pop/country version too!

ENJOY!

MARISSA 

BOOK REVIEW: LOSING LILA by SARAH ALDERSON

Title:   LOSING LILA (Lila Series #2)

Author:  SARAH ALDERSON

Publisher: Simon & Schuster / Simon Pulse

Pages:  346, paperback

Acquired:  Review Copy from Publisher

RATING

Description from Authors' Website:

Alex and Lila are on the run, desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the Unit, which somehow is managing to track their every move. Whilst Alex is determined to keep Lila safe and her ability secret at any cost, Lila’s only thought is of finding a way back to California so that she can rescue her brother and mother from the military base where they’re being held.

Struggling to control both her growing power and her deepening feelings for Alex, Lila decides the time has finally come to stop running and start fighting. Together with Alex, Demos, and the people she’s come to think of as family, Lila plans not just to save her brother and mother, but to completely destroy the Unit and everything it stands for.

But the plan requires Lila to return alone to California, make friends with the enemy, and to risk losing everything – Alex, her family, and even her life.

MARISSA'S REVIEW:

EXPLOSIVE

ACTION PACKED

AND HOT!

ONE OF 2012’S BEST YA RELEASES

Hot on the heels of success that Hunting Lila and Fated have brought Sarah Alderson, we have ourselves her best work to-date!  Losing Lila starts with a bang – well a chase through the streets and roof tops of Mexico City - and goes high speed right until the very last page. 

To say I enjoyed Losing Lila is an understatement. 

Lila and Alex are on a mad race to try stay one step ahead of the unit and rescue not only Jack (shot and in a coma on the military base), but Lila and Jack’s mum – not dead and killed Demos, but held captive by Richard Stirling and being “tested” on like a lab rat.  The have joined forces with Demos and the gang of lovable psy larricans to infiltrate the base and bring about the demise of Stirling Enterprises.

But wait…..let’s throw Lila’s overprotective dad into the mix and we have ourselves one family reunion sure to make your head spin!

Hunting Lila was fantastic and introduced us to some awesome and lovable characters – even the “baddies” were great!  Sarah takes it a few steps further in Losing Lila giving us more insight into the secondary characters of Nate, Suki, Amber, Alicia and even Harvey.  We see a side of Demos that could crack a steel heart. And you can’t help but love the quips thrown about from Nate’s Mamma, Mrs Johnson.

The chemistry that sizzles between Alex and Lila is ever present and won’t disappoint! We are given just enough personal interaction between them to enjoy (and cement Alex as one of YA’s hottest) and just the right amount to not overpower the main focus of the mission that they have all embarked on.  A well balanced romance and adventure novel.

Now I hear say you six stars?!  That's right. Six stars of pure enjoyment from start to finish!

To catch more Sarah Alderson, check her out on

www.sarahalderson.com 

Twitter:  @sarahalderson

Facebook: LosingLila  &  SarahAlderson

I'd like to leave you with a song from Sarah's Losing Lila Playlist.  One of my fave bands, Muse and their song Time is Running Out. This song is set in the final action-packed scenes when time is really running out and they’re under pressure and everything is going wrong. Can they figure out a plan before it really is too late?

ENJOY!

MARISSA

BOOK REVIEW: BARGAINS & BETRAYALS (13 to Life Novel) by SHANNON DELANY

BARGAINS AND BETRAYALS

by

SHANNON DELANY

Publisher:  St Martin's Press

Pages:306, paperback

Acquired:  Personal Purchase

RATING

4 out of 5 MISSION READY RUSAKOVA STARS!

Description via Goodreads:

Locked away at Pecan Place, Jessie finds her situation to be even more dangerous than she feared. While she struggles to maintain her sanity and discover answers about the group that seems less and less like any legitimate government agency, Pietr fights to keep their relationship alive. But very aware that his mother’s time is running out, Pietr makes a deal he doesn’t dare tell Jessie about. Because the deal Pietr’s made could mean the death of far more than his tenuous relationship with the girl he loves.

MARISSA'S REVIEW:

Bargains and Betrayals is book #3 in the 13 to Life series by Shannon Delany. I have been really enjoying this series - not too taxing on the brain and a nice easy and enjoyable read from from beginning to end.  

 Jess finds herself in a greater predicament than she could imagine...Pecan Place - home of nutters and one particularly dastardly therapist/scientist - Dr. Jones.  She is one evil woman! And just when Jess thought no-one could be worse being around Dr Jones....it's being around Derek - the ex with the mind control and vision power feeding off Jess' emotions like it's 24/7 free buffet!

Jess uncovers sinister plots and begins to second guess the whole CIA/government/mafia involvement and obsession with herself and the Rusakovas.

Littered throughout the book are POV's from Alexei - former eldest brother and alpha of the Rusakova pack/family......thrust from his position after being found out that he was only adopted and challenged as Alpha by Pietr.  Alexei's insight throughout the story sheds a whole new light on the characters.

Peitr finds himself in a hard place throughout this book.......he has such intense feelings for Jess - that keep growing and becoming deeper and even frustrating at times for him!  He has to deal with quite a lot of emotional baggage throughout Bargains and Betrayals - accepting himself, defining his love with Jess and saving his mother from the horrid clutches of the CIA/Company before she dies.....oh and throw in some mafia involvement!

Shannon Delany has added another great addition to the 13 to Life series - a really great YA read.  With action, espionage, romance and passion......guns, werewolves, an aura reader, mind controller and even zombie guards!  Shannon packs it in and delivers more than we bargained for!  

Next in the series is Destiny and Deception (book #4).

ENJOY!

MARISSA

BOOK REVIEW: AMPED by DANIEL H. WILSON

Title:  AMPED

Author:  DANIEL H. WILSON

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 274, Paperback

Genre:  Sci-Fi  -  (Adult)

RATING: 5 Politically Amplified Stars!!!

Description From Goodreads:

Technology makes them superhuman. But mere mortals want them kept in their place. Enter a stunning world where technology and humanity clash in terrifying and surprising ways.

Some people are implanted with upgrades that make them capable of superhuman feats. The powerful technology has profound consequences for society, and soon a set of laws is passed that restricts the abilities—and rights—of “amplified” humans.

On the day that the Supreme Court passes the first of these laws, 29-year-old Owen Gray discovers that his seizure-supressing medical implant is actually a powerful upgrade. Owen joins the ranks of a new persecuted underclass known as “amps” and is forced to go on the run, desperate to reach an outpost in Oklahoma where, it is rumoured, a group of the most enhanced amps are about to change the world—or destroy it.

MARISSA'S REVIEW:

We are introduced into a future world where technology can fix genetic errors, humans can be the best that their mind and body were built for and then amplified.  Of course with such developments, the risks of good versus evil rearing it's ugly head is always great.

In AMPED we are presented with a human race being fed propaganda by one US Senator Joseph Vaughn, President of the Pure Human Citizens Council (PHCC).  To him the real people of America - the true and 100% humans - are the majority and need to stand up and put an end to the creation of enhanced humans.  Non-humans who should have no legal right in the world. He is starting with the USA with the hope of rebellion and eradication world wide.

Owen Gray is our lead and narrator. Owen was Amped by his doctor father in hopes of eliminating his epilepsy.  And it did, with an extra side of military brilliance added in!

After a student suicides, his father's death and with the removal of liberties to all with implants we travel with Owen on a brutally action packed journey as he delves deeper into his implant.....one count of 3 at a time!

Lyle....what a horrid, evil piece of walking flesh.  He is military gone wrong on EVERY level - no exception. And he has Owen in his sights.  With his implanted minions that are the remaining Zenith's (elite implant military personnel), Lyle is set to stage an uprising of all Amps and to create a new world where his power reigns supreme.

Amped is not just a Sci-Fi tech story - it is a glimpse into just how a persons thoughts and so called beliefs can be manipulated by those with political standing. 

Amped was my first foray into what clearly is the very talented writing of Daniel H. Wilson.....and I am very impressed!  I have always had a love of Sci-Fi shows & movies and thought it about time to rekindle this romance with books.....the last lot of true Sci-Fi books I read were The Amtrak Wars by Patrick Tilley !

Daniel has a great repertoire of fiction and non-fiction books under his belt. Titles include:

A Boy & His Bot  (Children's Fiction)

Bro-Jitsu: The Martial Art of Sibling Smackdown

The Mad Scientist Hall of Fame: Muwahahaha!

and for those fans of Steven Spielberg.......Robopocalypse - which is set for it's movie release in 2014

If you are a fan of Sci-Fi....I dare you to grab a copy and read

 AMPED by DANIEL H. WILSON

Three, two, one....zero... Do you accept? Yes.

ENJOY!

MARISSA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (bio from www.danielhwilson.com)

DANIEL H. WILSON

Daniel H. Wilson is the New York Times bestselling author of Robopocalypse and seven other books, including How to Survive a Robot Uprising and A Boy and His Bot. He earned a PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as Masters degrees in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. In 2008, Daniel hosted The Works which aired on the History Channel. The movie adaptation of his novel Robopocalypse will be directed by Steven Spielberg, and is scheduled for release on April 25th, 2014. Daniel's next novel, Amped, was released in June, 2012.

BOOK REVIEW: DISHARMONY by LEAK GIARRATANO

Title:  DISHARMONY 
(The Telling #1)
Author: LEAH GIARRATANO
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Pages: 360 pagers,  paperback
Acquired:  Copy from Penguin Australia for Review

Goodreads Description:

A psychopath . . . an empath . . . a genius.

Three siblings who will save the world – or destroy it. They know nothing of each other. They know nothing of the Telling. But they'll need to learn fast if they're going to survive . . .

A gripping new series about a collision of worlds, the power of destiny, and the darkness in us all . . .

MARISSA'S REVIEW:

 A changeover from crime fiction novels, Leah Giarratano has delved in to the YA world of paranormal and fantasy. 

Leah has given us Disharmony - book 1 in The Telling Series.  A series based around three siblings born to save the world. Only they don't know who they are or that the others exist. 

First they have to "believe" what others are telling them is their destiny... and to do that they have to believe that which should only be written in fairy tales.

Luke Black is a hacker extraordinaire remanded at Dwight Juvenile Correction Centre, Sydney Australia.  Oddly enough there is no "chip on his shoulder" about being detained.  He's just on a mission to get out of there.  When Zac Nguyen, the new detainee, steps in to help out Luke during one of his disciplinary sessions - a partnership of sorts is formed to help each other get out of Dwight and on the road to freedom.

Samantha White has lived her life with a caravan of Roma witches.  shunned by other Roma's for not being blood and shunned by the Gaje for being a witch - it has been long and bumpy life for Sam.  A hard life - but the only one she has ever known.  She now finds her self on the verge of connecting with her life time crush Tamas.....whilst learning she is a powerful witch and being hunted by the Roma King and the Japanese Mafia - what has she done to attract such attention?

The blurb hinted at a new series that would have me gripping the book with anticipation and throwing myself head first into a fast paced story....and though it was great in parts - it was also lacking in others.

Disharmony is written in most as two parts - alternating chapters between Luke Black and Samantha White...powerful twins living on opposite sides of the world who don't know that the other exists.  Alternating chapters with these two characters works in the sense that they are twins (the psychopath and the empath) and as with a lot of twins, "things" happen simultaneously to them no matter where they are.  In saying that it wasn't till 3/4 through the book that this style of writing worked for me. I would have much rather read all about Luke or Samantha in more continual detail than stop/starting.

Sporadically there is a page from Intellicide whose purpose as a narrator of sorts may show worth in the next book.  These pages seem fairly disposable in the whole scheme of the book.

The thrill and the excitement picked up during the last 1/4 of the book and as such I would definitely be looking for Book 2 when it is released.  It has intrigued me enough now to want to know more!!

ENJOY!

MARISSA

Book Review: SPELLBOUND (A Hex Hall Novel) by RACHEL HAWKINS

Title:    SPELLBOUND 
(A Hex Hall Novel #3)
Author:  RACHEL HAWKINS
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (in Australia)
Pages:  Mass market paperback 336
Acquired:  Received from publisher for review

RATING:   4.5 "CRY ME A CAL" STARS !

Goodreads Description:

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

REVIEW:

Damn you Rachel Hawkins.......you made me cry!!

In this, the final instalment of the Hex Hall Series, Rachel wraps it all up with a big show down between good and evil.  

We left Demonglass with the burning of Thorne Abbey and Sophie Mercer heading through the Itineris in search of her mother and on her way to the Brannicks.  All the while not knowing the fate of her closest friends and father.

The fiery Brannick women are a hard bunch to crack but Sophie finds herself with an "in" she never expected. The Brannicks daily existence is military in style and lacking in compassion.  Sophie must learn to blend and behave if she is to earn the trust of the Brannicks.  

We are introduced to Aislinn, Finley & Izzy Brannick...plus Torin - a guy in a mirror!  There is a great story to be written with this family so let's hope Rachel Hawkins finds a new series with the Brannicks!

In Spellbound we are presented with a love triangle - one that had me angry one minute, cooing the next and crying at the end!   Unfortunately I can't say much more than that.....it would totally give far to much away and to know all the fans reading this are just ripping their hair out wanting to know if Archer and Cal are even alive - brings a smile to my face!!

The lovely Casnoff sisters are pure vengeful nasties.  Lara Casnoff leads the dastardly duo in their scheme to create a demon army. Warped? You bet!  But when they return to Hex Hall, things begin to change and Mrs Casnoff is a mere shell of her former existence.

The witty and sarcastic comments littered throughout Hex Hall and Demonglass are in abundance in Spellbound - and just as enjoyable!

Overall I loved Spellbound and the unanswered portions of the story leave it open for a new series to pop up at a later date!

ENJOY!

MARISSA

NOVELLA REVIEW: THE GODDESS HUNT by AIMEE CARTER

Title:   THE GODDESS HUNT
Author:  AIMEE CARTER
Publisher:  Harlequin TEEN
Pages:  Ebook 69 pages
Acquired:  Free copy from publisher

RATING:   4.5 LUX STARS!

Description From Aimee Carter's Website:

A vacation in Greece sounds like the perfect way for Kate Winters to spend her first sabbatical away from the Underworld...until she gets caught up in an immortal feud going back millennia. Castor and Pollux have been on the run from Zeus and Hades's wrath for centuries, hiding from the gods who hunt them. The last person they trust is Kate, the new Queen of the Underworld. Nevertheless, she is determined to help their cause. But when it comes to dealing with immortals, Kate still has a lot to learn....

Marissa's Review:

Ever wonder what happened during the 6 months Kate Winters was in Greece with James....away from Henry and the Underworld?  I certainly did!  

The Goddess Hunt.......for me it was the start that was missing from Goddess Interrupted - so I am really glad Aimee Carter has given us this fantastic novella.

Lux and Casey - Walter's (Zuess) twins on the run from the Gods are found by Kate and James......and then by the others.  Whilst the powerful Gods are determined to bring the twins to justice, Kate is hell bent on acquiring their freedom and making sure they get to stay together.  She knows only too well the pain of being separated from a loved one.

With Henry being one of the Gods seeking Caster's return, will Kate's faith in Henry be tested and broken?  Though only a novella, we get a nice insight into Henry's feelings and thoughts regarding his actions with Kate.  It was definitely one I would have liked to have read before Goddess Interrupted - it would have explained so much about Henry's wishy washy emotions.

Currently out in the series are:

The Goddess Test

The Goddess Hunt (Novella)

Goddess Interrupted

ENJOY!

MARISSA