Balthazar, by Claudia Gray

5 Stars!
I just finished Balthazar, a "spin off" of the Evernight series by Claudia Gray and I absolutely loved it. I didn't exactly enjoy Evernight when I read it but I really liked Balthazar so I read Stargazer to see what would happen to him and wound up really liking that book and each book got better and better so I was happy I had taken the time to read them and I was excited to see that Balthazar was getting his own book and couldn't wait.

This is the best book I've read by Claudia Gray yet. I normally don't care for books that bounce back and forth between narrators, but she has done a beautiful job of switching between Balthazar and Skye that reading it was effortless. She blended current Skye with current Balthazar with Balthazar's memories of his past 400 + years. We gain the knowledge about Balthazar that we have been craving throughout the Evernight series. There was appearances of Bianca, Lucas, Charity and Clementine. There was mention of Black Cross and wraiths and references to the fire at Evernight Academy, along with the addition of some interesting new characters. There was enough explanation of previous situations that if you haven't read the other Evernight books you can still follow along with this book and not be scratching your head going "WTF".

So, my suggestion, READ THIS BOOK! Don't get an illegal download copy of it, that's cheating the author for all of her hard work and love that went into writing this amazing book. It also cheats her editor, agent, critique partners and countless others that put time and effort into publishing it.

Lenobia's Vow by P.C. & Kristin Cast

     I have been reading each of the House of Night books as they come out & they are great. I just read Lenobia's Vow & wow it is a great read. Like Dragon's Oath before it, it only gives us a glimpse into the back story of one of my favorite characters. But I suppose as old as Lenobia is giving us her whole back story would be a huge undertaking.

     In Lenobia's Vow we read about how she was the illegitimate daughter of a Barron who was "kind enough" to employ her and her mother. Lenobia looked just like her sister, the legitimate daughter, and was treated poorly by the family. When Lenobia's sister dies her mother takes drastic steps to insure that Lenobia has a better life than what would come of her if she stayed with the Barron. But it may have been all for nothing when her lie is uncovered by a Bishop with ill intentions. If she hadn't been Marked she would have been destroyed and if it weren't for the actions of the man she loved, she would have died just after she was Marked.

   Now I have new theories about what will happen to Lenobia in the next House of Night Novel. I can't wait! Also Neferet's Curse novella will be out some time soon, can't wait for that one either.



   

5 stars to My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

I'm not exactly skilled at "reviewing" things. Which could be part of my poor english grades in school! I do love to read & discuss what I've read so I hope evenutally I'll get better at this. My Soul to Take was a re-read for me and I got to tell ya, it was even better the second time. This as an easy book to get into and an easy read for people who are just getting into reading. It has the whole package, a likeable heroine, hot guys, intrigue, romance, comedy. What's not to like?

Kaylee thinks she may be nuts and so does her BFF Emma but like any good BFF she doesn't make fun of her for it she helps to hide it from everyone else. Nash, the hottest guy in school, doesn't think she is nuts, he thinks she is beautiful. Nash tells Kaylee that she isn't human, and neither is he, and that she isn't nuts, she isn't having panic attacks she is predicting someone's death. (she takes it really well by the way)
Someone is killing beautiful, young, vibrant girls and Kaylee doesn't buy that it was their time to die, she thinks it was murder. With the help of Tod, a friend of Nash's, they figure out that the murderer isn't human either. Then the murderer goes after Emma and Kaylee pulls out all the stops. (no one messes with her BFF and gets away with it) Eventually the murderer winds up at Kaylee's house and it takes her whole family along with Nash's family to save Kaylee's obnoxious cousin Sophie. The murderer is still at large but that just makes for good drama!

My favorite lines from the book:
Kaylee: "You take lives for a living" pg 112

Aiden: "You died, right there on the side of the road, with snow melting in your hair." (this quote was heart wrenching to read) pg 191

Kaylee's narraiting: My cousin glanced at each of us in turn, like we'd all lost our minds, and sanity was getting lonely. pg 198 (I know I've looked at people and thought the same & others have looked at me like this)

Well, that's all folks. Next I'll give My Soul to Save a re-read. Till then, always belive in the magic of life.

My Soul to Lose 4 Stars

     I've decided to start my challenge by re-reading My Soul to Lose because it takes place before the events in My Soul to Take which is the first book in the series. I wouldn't really call anything I do a "review" I could just call it my take on the book, my opinion of the characters, the story line & events & what I liked and didn't like. I never agree with "reviews" of books, movies, music or movies or anything that is really based in the writer's opinion. I like what I like & don't like what I don't like.

   So, that nonsense said, here goes.
I really liked this short story. It perfectly sets up what will come in the rest of the series. Do you have to read My Soul to Lose before reading My Soul to Take? No, but it will enhance My Soul to Take and also another book or two down the line. I don't want to give away any spoilers.
     Kaylee is not exactly a typical teenager and that's what I like about her. She isn't the most popular girl in school but she is friends with the prettiest and wildest girl in school. Kaylee suffers from panic attacks that aren't the "norm" she sees things she feels things and senses things all which make her think she is crazy and the doctors think she needs medication. What else could they think, right? Her Aunt and Uncle seem to care about her well being, but they are also hiding something from her, something big.

    I think most teenagers will identify with the feelings of no one understanding you and most adults will remember those days of feeling like no one understood us. The cycle never ends does it?
 
    Something to learn from this book is be honest with those that you love in life and every one's life will be better for it. It may be hard at times but no one's life is perfect, except maybe Barbie!

   Always believe in the magic of life

First blog EVER

    Well this is my very first blog so it may not be pretty and well written but give me a few times to figure it out.

    I have signed up for the Soul Screamers challenge so my first review will be on Rachel Vincent's My Soul to Take. I've already read this book and enjoyed it the first time so re reading it should be great! 
 
   Check back in after Jan. 23, 2012 for my review.

  Always believe in the magic of life