Book Review: Anna Dress in Blood by Kendare Blake

Mar2

Theseus Cassio Lowood, or Cas as he would like to be known, is not your average seventeen-year-old guy. He’s a ghost hunter. He’s a modern day Ghostbuster if you will, but without the silly outfit and one seriously dangerous knife. Travelling with his mom and cat, Tybalt, Cas is only interested in one thing: killing ghosts. True they’re already dead, but Cas is concerned with the ones that kill the innocent. It was his father’s history and his father’s history that goes back further than Cas can remember. It’s his legacy.

Now he’s here in Canada for Anna. Anna Dressed in Blood. A ghost so horrific that barely anything is known of her origin. It was just supposed to be another move to town, learn the stories and then confront the ghost to administer the final kill. Instead he comes to face with Anna, a ghost he could never have prepared for. Anna treats Cas differently, but she kills everyone else. What’s a boy to do? As Cas fights his instincts, there are other bumps that go in the night and it’s a harsh day when he realises that Anna is truly only the beginning of his problems.

What a whirlwind of a story! Many thanks to Bruce of thebookshelfgargoyle for the encouragement! I was not disappointed with this book! I don’t know what it is, but all the YA books that have a male as the main character are just simply outstanding! (Do I think this story would work just as well with the genders reversed – yes – yes I do!) Cas is an outstanding character. I loved how he had an alter ego, but that he also essentially still remained a teenage boy.

I gave this book 5 stars because it definitely deserves it, but I’ve got to put the disclaimers in there: This is not a book for tweens. There is a lot of swearing, ghostly violence and abuse. This is a crossover for those that love ghost stories and aren’t afraid of a little blood (or for that fact – a lot of blood). Please be warned readers – this book will keep you reading throughout the night. Reading under the covers with a torch (flashlight) is not the way to go. Make sure the lights are on. And that someone else is in the house. A cat might be nice too. Give this book a try, I think this is going to be a stand out series!

Book Review: Entangled by Nikki Jefford

Feb26

Graylee and her identical twin sister Charlene are witches. Far from being two peas in a pod the girls are as different as night and day. Charlene is devastated that her boyfriend Blake broke up with her a week before Valentine’s Day for Stacey Morehouse. Graylee’s more concerned with perfecting her invisibility spell. Charlene is one of the hottest girls in school, dressed to the nines with full makeup. Graylee glides through the halls without a boyfriend in embroidered jeans and a tank top.

One night Graylee falls asleep and the next morning she wakes up in Charlene’s room. It’s also April 1^st. Graylee’s been dead for two months and now is sharing Charlene’s body. Every other day Graylee wakes, but she has to act as Charlene in order to avoid repercussion from the coven. Their mother is on the case to fix the problem but time is running out. The more time Graylee spends in her sister’s body the more she learns her sister was more than just heartbroken. Charlene ‘s patience is also running thin and Gray is terrified to learn she’ll do anything to get her body back even if it means losing her sister a second time.

Firstly, I love the cover. Second, the first 30% of the book is a bit rough; the characters aren’t fully developed and honestly, are shallow. The writing isn’t anything new and I wasn’t interested in the story until the double occupying of the body happened. Finally some tension and conflict that’s somewhat engaging. I enjoyed the brief introduction to this world of witches and warlocks, the language and rules. Also, it’s based in Kent, Washington. KENT! If you’re a regular reader it’s not a secret that I am such a sucker for all books that have ANYTHING linked to Washington State.

There is some substance to this book but it gets lost in the romance. Romance isn’t even the main theme – its revenge. Charlene is one piece of work and although it works for the premise of the story. It’s still Graylee’s twin sister. I didn’t really buy the fact that she would act intentionally the way she does in wanting to purge her sister. The readers don’t get to know Charlene before Graylee dies and because of this I’m sceptic of her motives. Nevertheless, I think this read is great for young female readers that are looking for a love story that has drama. At the end of the day that’s all it is. Drama: High school drama. I was left wanting more and I hope the second book can accomplish this but I’m not hoping for a magic spell here. However, it’s based in Washington, I have to read this series!

Crossed by Ally Condie

Feb19

Cassia Reyes has been Matched, but a glitch in the Society’s perfect system has derailed her life. When Ky’s face was shown instead her Match Xander, Cassia’s heart took a leap and made her own choice. Now she is out working manual labouring, far from her family and home. In the Outlands she waits for any opportunity of where she can find Ky once again.

All her life the Society has chosen everything for Cassia, but loving Ky has opened her eyes to what else lies open in her world. Cassia will do anything she can to find Ky. In the process she’ll discover more secrets that her Grandfather was trying to clue her in on: The rising of the Rebellion. It’s tough to decide what is more dangerous – being out in the unknown or under the heavy watch of The Society. With new friends and the skill of trade Cassia must decide what she wants ultimately for her future, love or freedom.

I ate Crossed up. Four days dear readers, that is how long I was able to stretch out reading this book. Condie is fantastic at peppering the mystery of The Society within this second book. It’s interesting because there isn’t much action in this book but the lingering questions are carried through beautifully. Yes there is a Rebellion but there are so many more questions as to why it is in existence? How long has this Rebellion been growing? What exactly are the reasons and what do they hope to accomplish? The romance wasn’t the front-runner theme and I loved how every page captured my attention as to what is really going in this Big Brother world.

Cassia grows a lot during this book. She becomes her own woman-trying figure out love and what she wants for her future. She doesn’t shy away from the challenge but instead goes looking for it. She’s given a difficult task at the end of the book and I wait patiently for the third book to become available at my library. Those who loved the first Matched won’t be disappointed with Condie’s return to Cassia’s life.

Slated by Teri Terry

Feb16

Kyla Davis is sixteen and has never been kissed, well she doesn’t have any memories of it. She’s been Slated. 2054, in the United Kingdom, it’s the government’s job to stop terrorists. A program has been implemented that wipes their brains of their former life, giving them a clean slate, a second chance at life. If Kyla has been Slated, then does that means she was a terrorist?

Struggling to adjust to this second chance Kyla tries to settle in with her new family, home and school. Her emotions are kept in check through her Levo – a device on her arm that monitors her feelings. If she’s not happy Kyla runs the risk of getting shocked causing her to blackout. A Slated must be happy in order to fulfil their contract.

Even as Kyla tries to stay Level, her mind is still stuck with memories, which should be impossible. She’s different than the other Slated. By some miracle Kyla can think for herself without compromising her Levo. It’s dangerous for a Slated to talk back and think their own thoughts, but Kyla can’t stop asking questions and the more she asks the deeper she falls into the darkness of this new, Slated world.

I’ve been reading a lot of American YA lately so this was a special treat. I had seen this book on NetGalley but unfortunately was denied my request. It was all right in the end as I was able to get it from the library (WIN). I also have to say that yes, I mainly wanted to read this book because the author’s name is Teri Terry. Don’t judge.

I really loved Terry’s language in this book. She repeats a lot, but it worked in this setting and genre. The way information is delivered is well written and a pleasant surprise. The only cliché bit was the romance but even that was still understated (but not the control government bit). The ending left me asking millions of questions as it took a direction I didn’t expect. I tip my hat to Terry and I look forward to reading more about the Slated world!

Prized by Caragh O’Brien

Feb5

Gaia Stone has escaped the Enclave with her newborn baby sister Maya. Out into the wasteland she ventured, but with little food, water and baby formula, they’re doomed to die if they don’t find help soon. Days pass and just when death looms near, a hero on a horse rescue Gaia and takes her and Maya to Sylum.

Sylum is a community where the women are in charge. Something is happening to all the newborn babies, they’re always male. Females are in high demand and marriages are a battle. Kissing is outlawed and when Gaia joins the people of Sylum she doesn’t understand why everyone isn’t equal. Sylum isn’t better than the Enclave, it’s almost worse.

Gaia is determined to figure out the mystery of Sylum, but her heart is distracted. As a new female she gathers the attention of every eligible male. When a familiar face returns Gaia must look inside her heart and trust what she feels if she, Maya and the people of Sylum have any chance of continuing their existence.

I loved the first book in this series, Birthmarked. I was looking for something that would grab my attention like The Hunger Games and Birthmarked filled all that criteria. However, once I leaped into Prized, I found myself disappointed. It started off great, and finally here is a scenario where women have all the power and treat men like they have treated us for thousands of years! Power to women! What a fantastic choice to move the story I originally thought.

Instead I found myself being embarrassed to keep reading. The women in power were just as bad as stereotypical male lead characters and it was a huge disappointment. What had the potential to be a great story line got somehow lost. My disappointment grew as the lack of originality progressed. I still want to read the last instalment in the series. The ending at least in Prized wasn’t a disappointment and I’m happy O’Brien captured my attention. I’m excited to see how things end for Gaia in Promised.

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Feb2

Seventeen-year-old Penryn used to live in what was known as California. Six weeks ago she was concerned with makeup and teenage angst. Now it’s fight for survival. Food is scarce, safe shelter unheard of and above all else; watch the skies. The skies are the keepers of the danger that rip off limbs: Angels.

All Penryn tried to do was keep her seven-year-old paralysed sister Paige safe. Together with their schizophrenic mother they fled their home for a new hiding place. It wasn’t supposed to be easy, but they didn’t think a group of angels would fall to the ground, trying to execute an archangel. One false sound and Paige is abducted. Gone. Taken away in the sky.

Penryn will do anything to find her sister, even if it means saving a dying angel. It’ll take going into the lion’s den and seeking help from the angelic demon himself to bring her family together.

This isn’t your traditional Angelic story. The tales of angels being godly and kind are transformed into the opposite. Instead they are evil beings that are unsure of why they are on Earth, this story only gets more interesting as each page is turned. This is a totally surprising read and as one progresses through the chapters the better it gets. Penryn reads a bit younger than seventeen, where the rest of book follows along general fiction.

For a Young Adult read it’s also startlingly grown up. Violence is present and shockingly adult. For being post-apocalyptic, Ee has hit the nail on the head with how humanity loses all aspects of right and wrong. Yet, there is also hope in this novel, on a scale that even Penryn is surprised to see. I really enjoyed this book, but I’d recommend this to older readers. I loved changing the Angel theme from good to evil, it’s not something I expected and there is lots of room for the story to grow. I patiently await the second book!