Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles #4)

Authors: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

First published: October 2012

Recommended for: teen paranormal romance fans

Date Read: 4-5th April 2013

Rating: 4/5

I did enjoy this book, but I felt it was lacking in some areas. Firstly, there was hardly any romance! I know that’s because of the circumstances that the characters, or one particular character is in, but it was really annoying. Even at the end of the novel, when the characters are together there was only a little romance. It would of been nice for the novel to end in a scene involving the 2 main characters instead of Ethan ( the protagonist) drinking chocolate milk and somehow using milk to describe the meaning of life.

I was also worried about reading this novel because I knew it would be a bit ‘otherworldly’, however, I actually enjoyed it and didn’t get annoyed at all the ‘otherworldly’ parts, like I did in ‘The Lovely Bones’. Those scenes were actually interesting, as well as provided for better understanding of characters such as Ethan’s mother, who we don’t know a lot about as she had passed away before the beginning of the novel. Something that annoyed me though is that we really didn’t get to see much of the supporting characters, such as Link and Ridley who I think help the novel in that they bring humour etc into the novel.

Compared to the last novel in the series, I felt a bit let down by the writing in this novel. In the last one, I felt so much emotion and so connected to the characters, however in this one I didn’t, and a lot of the things that happened where a bit too good to be true, particularly Ethan at the Far Keep-if you’ve read the novel, you’ll know what I mean. Having said that, I was happy with the result of what happened at the Far Keep. Anyway, I just wanted to feel more of that anticipation and passion.

Just quickly, I have to mention I loved how Lena and Ethan fought for each other! Instead of moping around and just accepting bad things happening they fought and got their happy ending!!

I know it may seem like all I’ve done is criticise the novel, but I really did enjoy it! I just wanted a little more romance and for it to be more fast-paced.

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3)

Authors: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

First Published: October 2011

Recommended for: Caster chronicles fans, teen paranormal romance fans

Date Read: 3-4th April 2013

Rating: 4/5

So, I started reading this novel in Feb, but basically, I couldn’t be bothered reading and stopped. However, I decided to pick up a book and start reading again, so that is why this review is a while after my last review!

I must admit the start was a little slow, it was that point in a series where after something dramatic happening, the couple finally get a bit of time to just be together. However, that changes quickly. I’ll warn you that it’s not a happy ending, I was in tears for the last few chapters, everything was happening so quickly, the characters emotions were so intense and real- credit to the authors for their fantastic writing, I cried because I was so caught up in the characters emotion and lives!

I have to mention how much I loved the characters in this novel! They all seemed to have matured in some way. It was nice to see the characters completely together, not in a love triangle-they have all grown out of that. I particularly want to mention Liv and John’s character development,  they were much more likeable characters, which I think is due to their developing relationship with each other, which helped their relationships with others.

Well, I really did enjoy this book, even though the ending was heart-wrenching! In fact, I’ve already started the next (and final) book!

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Darness (Caster Chronicles #2)

Authors: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

First published: October 2010

Recommended for: dark, fantasy ,paranormal romance fans

Date read: Feb 6-8th 2013

Rating: 4/5

Well, I must say I was just a little disappointed in this novel, compared to the first one. The second book seemed a bit slow, lacked  a lot of romance scenes and I missed the emotional connection I got to experience in the first novel, as well as the fast-paced action.

I kind of relate this book to ‘New Moon’, from the Twilight series, the book in a series where the couple are apart and not much happens except for at the very start and very end of the novel. The only reason I got through the novel relatively quickly because I was impatient to know what would happen. Although, some elements of the ending, where the action really happens, I was surprised at, I still found it a little anti-climatic: not much happened, or so it seemed. Although I think a fair bit happened, the writing was still ‘slow’ and it wasn’t that fast-paced, action-packed writing that gets you into those type of scenes.

I still love the relationship between Lena and Ethan despite being apart. I know I didn’t get that real connection whilst reading the novel, but it was so lovely seeing Ethan never give up on Lena, and fight for her the whole time, he is so devoted to her. I know I have already mentioned New Moon, but it was like in New Moon when Edward leaves, Bella stays in her room and be’s sad forever, but Ethan fights for Lena from the start, he doesn’t mope around, he does whatever he has to to be with her. I also loved seeing more of Ridley and Link, as well as getting a better insight into their feelings for each other. In fact, all the supporting characters are fantastic additions.

Well, that’s all I have to say! Guess, my next review will be the next novel in the series!

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles #1)

Authors: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

First published: 2009

Recommended for: supernatural romance fans

Date read: 31 Jan 2013-3 Feb 2013

Rating: 5/5

This book took me a few days to read, which is longer than usual for me, but don’t let that fool you, as you can see from my rating the book was AMAZING! OMG! I literally didn’t want to ever put it down, unfortunately I started reading during a pretty busy time for me so I had to 😦

The characters were brilliant! I actually felt something and I feel so much for them! I feel as if I really know the all characters, each one was given depth, no matter who they were. They weren’t simply glossed over, especially the parents or family in general who are usually just background characters in YA today, but there was so much family involvement which just added so much more to the series.

Just the idea of the story, WOW! It was such a new supernatural world that just hasn’t been explored! I’m so glad we’ve moved on from vampires and werewolves! I found the caster world so interesting, I was always eager for some new info on the caster world! One thing I would of like is some reminders, as in some things are explained earlier in the series, and not touched on again until much later, and by then I can’t always remember what certain terms mean etc.

The writing. The writing was magnificent. There was not a boring moment. There was a combination of tension, humour, love, mystery and paranormal, it was perfect. Not to mention that actual plot. There was of course, in typical YA fashion, some very predictable romance story lines, but as for most other events/incidents, I didn’t see them coming!

This book is a must read!!! I am just about to start the second book, and can’t wait for the movie!!!!!!

Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Finale (Hush Hush #4)

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

First Published: 2012

Recommended for: Hush Hush series fans, paranormal romance fans

Date Read: 10th

Well, if you saw my review if the last book, I was really disappointed, so imagine my surprise when I just couldn’t tear myself away from this book!!

Fitzpatrick redeems herself with this novel, the plot is fantastic! There was so many things I didn’t see coming! However again as much as I enjoyed the novel I failed to connect on an emotional level.

I don’t have much to say as if you’ve seen my review if the previous her novels you already know most of my thoughts, however again I will mention that it would be better if her characters could be more independent.

In regards to the end of the series I still found questions unanswered and wasn’t entirely sure if I was to assume the answer. I also would of liked a little more about their lives after the war.

Anyway, as I gave it 5 stars, I’m sure you can all work out I loved this book (it only took me a few hours to read on the day I bought it!)!

Ascend by Amanda Hocking

Title: Ascend (Trylle #3)

Author: Amanda Hocking

First Published: Jan 1st 2011

Recommended for: people who don’t like happy endings

Date read: 1st Jan 2013

Rating: 1.5/5

I can’t even think clearly whilst writing this review because I am so angry and disappointed in the book! Yes, the writing is fine and it’s equally as enthralling as the other 2 books, but the author from the begin inning set us up for a different ending and didn’t deliver. I had expectations and she miserably failed at attempting to make it a happy ending and something we didn’t expect.

I am just so disappointed I can’t even write any more about how disappointed I am. I wish the author could rewrite the book with a better ending.

Torn by Amanda Hocking

Title: Torn (Trylle #2)

Author: Amanda Hocking

First Published: Nov 2010

Recommended for: female teens who like paranormal romance & obviously, if you liked the first book.

Date Read: 1st Jan 2013

Rating: 4.5/5

Well, as I did the last one I loved this book! I was disappointed that there weren’t more romance scenes between Wendy and Finn, but as I said in the last review they were still sweet & passionate. I also enjoyed the anger and frustration between the pair due to their circumstances.
Something I just really want to mention is I got so excited when Wendy said that she wouldn’t go around feeling sorry for herself, and she didn’t! YAY! So many of these YA female protagonists spend half the novel feeling sorry for themselves, the main example clearly Bella Swan (in New Moon).

In regards to what I thought, it really wasn’t much different from the first novel, I loved it, I connected with it and even had a few tears. The storyline(s) kept me on edge the whole time and I couldn’t put it down, I mean I am about to start the third book on the same day I started the first! Talk about fast reading!

Anyway, I’m about to start reading the third book, so I’ll let you know how I go!

Switched by Amanda Hocking

Title: Switched (Trylle #1)

Author: Amanda Hocking

First published: July 12th 2010

Recommended for: female teens who like romance & paranormal/supernatural

Date read: Dec 31-1st Jan 2013

Rating: 4.5/5

I was so intrigued as soon as I read the blurb, and the actual novel didn’t disappoint! Firstly, I must point out I didn’t get annoyed with the main character, Wendy. She didn’t make stupid decisions, didn’t ‘Bella Swan’ over a boy but was tough and actually cared about other people. Of course like many female protagonist’s in YA books today, she was always willing to risk her life for others and didn’t want them to die/get hurt for her.

As with most YA novels today, we know who will end up with who, and this novel of course followed the usual conventions. There wasn’t much focus on the romance, but the scenes that were focused on romance were sweet yet passionate. I loved them! I must also note that I saw a lot of similarities to Twilight in description of the two main characters, Wendy & Finn. In fact, not only in their physical appearance but how they initially viewed each other and how their feelings or relationship progressed; they tried to ignore each other and the attraction, then they basically just had to give in but couldn’t be together for some reason.

One thing I must say is I loved the story as a whole. I love how it was about trolls, even though I was a bit unsure of that at first, it’s great to move out of the whole vampires & werewolf stories and see something new. Also is that it was a new take on trolls or trylle and their world. They weren’t the normal ugly, under-the-bridge trolls but looked like humans but having different abilities and qualities.

Anyway, I obviously loved this book, I think because it was so refreshing as it was something different, and will be on my way to the shops to buy the next one asap!

p.s Happy New Year!

Rockoholic by CJ Skuse

Title: Rockoholic

Author: CJ Skuse

First Published: March 2011

Recommended for: young adults-teens, people wanting a light, fluffy read

Date read: 30 Nov- 3 Dec

Rating: 3.5/5

I have to admit I was initially inclined to read the book due to the great reviews it received (and the really pretty cover), however, after seeing these reviews I ended up being disappointed in the book. I knew it would be a bit of a fluffy, teen read (which it was), so I wasn’t expecting to feel much, if any, kind of emotional connections to characters or their relationships to be explored deeply. My expectations were right. I did cry a bit at the end when Jackson (one of the main characters) and Jody (the protagonist) share a goodbye, but that was it, in fact I think that scene was the best written in the whole novel and the part I enjoyed most as there was more depth in the writing, including more emotion, and through that scene you actually got to really see how Jackson and Jody’s relationship had developed.

Whilst reading the book I almost felt bored, it initially moved too slow and you just wanted something to hurry up and happen! Normally, when a book is boring or certain chapters are boring I read quickly to get to the good part, but I found myself forcing myself to keep reading and there were good parts but nothing exciting; nothing to really look forward to. I was also slightly annoyed at the ending, you can sort of make peace with the ending and be okay with it, but I felt it wasn’t how I wanted it to end, I guess it didn’t follow the normal conventions of these teen romance novels.

Talking about the depth of the novel, it actually does deal with serious issues such as drug abuse, however it just skims the surface of what the issue is and what it involves, and I think the plot could of been more interesting with more explanation.

I wasn’t entirely sure about the main character Jody. She kept making really stupid decisions and wouldn’t listen to anyone, and I felt as if her reasoning or just her feelings in general (she was angst) weren’t explained that well, yes there was her connection with her grandfather who passed, but even her dad left her and that is never really covered. Although, it’s from her point of view I felt as if she was hard to understand and I think we needed more insight into what was going on in her head, not just what was going on around her.

To finish off, I must note that I loved the Harry Potter references, as well as stating that I didn’t really enjoy this book, although it was ok, I was hoping that the ending would make up for the slow story but unfortunately it was only a half-happy ending.

Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Title: Two Way Street

Author: Lauren Barnholdt

First published: 2007

Recommended for: YA romance & chick-lit fans, teens

Date read: 16-17 Nov 2012

Rating: 4.5/5

This book was awesome!  Instead of just reading about Courtney and Jordan’s road trip you get to be part of it, and read details about their from both points of views, as well as reading about their life before and after the trip. By telling the reader the past and the present, Barnholdt gives us a really creative way of completely telling Courtney and Jordan’s story. However, I also want to note that despite reading from a girl and boy’s point of view, it does still feel to be a female-oriented story.

I really did like both of the protagonists, Courtney is sarcastic yet a bit of a goody two shoes, however not really boring and you still love her for her strength and self-respect. It’s was good to experience Jordan’s development throughout the book, from basically being a bit of an a-hole and  avoiding real relationships of any kind with people, including his parents, to him and Courtney not only having a romantic relationship, but seeing their initial friendship develop. I really loved all the angsty romance throughout the novel.

I was intrigued the whole novel and I definitely  didn’t expect the events to play out as they did. I thought this might be a book where the ending is obvious, and although most of the storyline was predictable, you didn’t expect things to play out as they did. I thought I worked out one answer in the second chapter, I thought I was spot on, all the clues for my prediction were there, but I was completely off! I also found this book quite funny and the characters thought and emotions quite realistic. I especially enjoyed all the comment about Myspace, as in the novel it’s cool to have Myspace, and obviously today, it’s not.

I would give this book a 5/5, but the ending scene really disappointed and annoyed me. It was so inconclusive and just left things. There was so many things that were left unresolved or needed to be explored deeper. It feels like there needs to be a sequel.

Despite, the ending, I did enjoy this novel and am looking forward to reading more books from Lauren Barnholdt (and hopefully one of those could be a sequel to this book, it really needs one!)!