Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

All About It:

While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies’ throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she’ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla’s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy’s secret will turn the young pack's world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches' War that surrounds them all.

What I Thought:

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of the Nightshade ARC (Advanced Readers Copy). I have to say having an ARC in your hands makes you feel special. But that is beside the point. Nightshade was amazing. With the plethora of Werewolf stories out there, it's hard to find one that is different than the other. They all seem to have the same plot, same problems, the only difference being the names and places. Nightshade was an exception though. It was a story that was original. Calla the main character was the best part of the book. She made you feel what she was feeling and drew you into her mind. In her world she is the alpha wolf of her pack. This means she is supposed to be strong, follow orders, and not disappoint anyone. She lives to protect the Keepers. Her life is not her own. Since birth she was promised to Ren, sexy and powerful Ren, the alpha of the Bane pack. She can't help what she is told to do. She must follow the path set out for her or face deadly consequences. That is why when she saves a stranger, gorgeous and smart and not at all bad on the eyes named Shay, revealing what she really is, everything turns upside down. She can't help falling for the strange boy she saved, he knows her secret, he's not afraid, and her masters just told her to keep him safe. Drawn to him and knowing she shouldn't be Calla tries to fight it. Calla is falling for Shay but on the other hand, she cannot help but feel the fire of passion when Ren touches her. So, say hello to an amazingly sexy love triangle. On top of that you get secrets and lies and mysteries that make Calla realize not only has her whole world been turned upside down by a forbidden romance but the world she thought she knew was all a lie. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book. I almost gave the author a heart attack when I joked and said I hated it. The only thing I hated is that it was over WAY to fast! It leaves your heart retching at the cliff hanger you close the book on. I think I may die of "not knowing" by the time book two, WolfsBane comes out in July of 2011.

Four and a Half Fairies

(The only reason Nightshade is missing the last half of Fairy is that in the beginning everything moves a little fast. You start out a tad confused but everything quickly falls into place a few chapters in.)

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

All About It:

Scarlet March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?


What I Thought:

I was excited about this book long before it came out. I had heard multiple authors call it "Fantastic" and "Supernatural only with Girls." It did not disappoint! It was phenomenal. I found myself drawn into the story from the first lines. I loved the alternating perspectives between the two sisters, Rosie and Scarlett. Scarlett was the tough one. She thought about the fight and the fight alone. Fiercely protective of her sister and only one goal in mind, payback. Revenge for the death of her beloved grandmother and the eye that she lost protecting her sister the same day drives her to continue on "The Hunt" for Fenris. Rosie though, younger and less enthralled by a life all about hunting was my favorite. She feels in debt to Scarlett for saving her life as a child and taking the blunt of the physical damage. So she fights on. That is until Silas shows up again. A long time friend and hunting partner of Scarlett who has a dangerous secret lurking within him, one he doesn't even know. Rosie looks at him and immediately feels a change. She no longer thinks of him as "just" Silas. He's more than that. A budding, intense and hidden romance makes you smile as you read. You fall in love right along with Rosie. But Scarlett can't find out and that makes it all the more special, it's a secret. The three move to the city to start the most important hunt they've ever done. Finding the potential (someone who is capable of being turned) protecting him, and using him to kill fenris is their goal. Only they cannot find him. The surprises at every turn of this book make you gasp and keep it glued in your hands. You'll want to read it again not for the fact that a sexy vampire and werewolf are fighting over you but because it's such a strong story of sisterly bonds and love and passion to make the world safe. I don't know if there will be a sequel or not but I sure hope Jackson Pearce pops out another story sometime VERY soon!

Five Fairies

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

All About It:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

What I Thought:

I have to say, I am a procrastinator. A Queen Procrastinator. I pre-ordered this book and got it on the day it came out. It took me a month to finally open the cover and begin reading the magic that lie among its pages. I don't know why it took me so long, once I started it, it was hard to stop. The world created in the walls of Hex Hall is amazing. I have to say, it was definitely not what I was expecting, it was much, much better. Sophie Mercer is now a name I cannot seem to get out of my head. Ever since reading this I sometimes find myself wondering, what would Sophie do? It is such a weird feeling, very few characters are brought to life enough for the reader to connect to them after the covers have been closed and the book placed on the shelf, finished. That is what makes this book so amazing, it sticks with you. Now on to my favorite subject, romance, oh my it is wonderful. It’s not hot and heavy but most of the time underlying and so frustrating you want to shake Sophie and here main crush, Archer Cross (who by the way is wonderfully Delicious!) Then finally when the electricity between the two becomes unbearable, it all falls apart. I cannot spoil anything but I must admit that before you pick up this book you should know that there is a terrible cliff hanger.
It leaves you wondering what will become of the two teenage lovers. Will they survive? Or will a new love interest come into play with the football player, look-a-like grounds keeper? Who knows who knows? All I know is that Ms. Rachel Hawkins PLEASE, PLEASE hurry up with next installment! You’re killing us with suspense!

Four and a Half Fairies

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

All About It:

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents' rules--especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father's office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.
To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen's sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill's accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything--even Tristen's love--just for the thrill of being...bad.

What I Thought:

Play offs of old stories normally do not interest me. My oh my though was this one a switch up for me! It was absolutely and incredibly phenomenal. The characters Jill and Tristen are so lovable that you connect immediately. You feel like Jill, meek and mild and shy. Then you have Tristen who is dark and mysterious and dangerous, hiding a secret so big and so deadly that you cannot help but read on. The romance makes you shudder in anger because you get teased, and teased, and then teased some more until FINALLY it explodes and is amazing. The continuous mix up of feelings makes your heart ache for the lovers. Past the romance though, is murder and mystery and betrayal that is so enticing you will not be able to put the book down, even if you life depended on it. There was so much more than I expected within this story. If you don't believe me, go pick up a copy and then let me know what you think. In short, this novel is more than worth your time! Now go and get a move on before the beast within you takes hold and the chance is gone forever!

Four of Five Fairies