Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan {review & giveaway}

Shadow Magic
by Joshua Khan
♦publisher: Disney-Hyperion
♦release date: April 12th, 2016
♦hardcover, 336 pages
♦intended audience: Middle Grade
♦stand-alone 
♦source: ARC from publisher for honest review

Thorn, an outlaw's son, wasn't supposed to be a slave. He's been sold to Tyburn, an executioner, and they're headed to Castle Gloom in Gehenna, the land of undead, where Thorn will probably be fed to a vampire.
Lilith Shadow wasn't supposed to be ruler of Gehenna. But following the murder of her family, young Lily became the last surviving member of House Shadow, a long line of dark sorcerers. Her country is surrounded by enemies and the only way she can save it is by embracing her heritage and practicing the magic of the undead. But how can she when, as a girl, magic is forbidden to her?
Just when it looks like Lily will have to leave her home forever, Thorn arrives at Castle Gloom. A sudden death brings them together, inspires them to break the rules, and leads them to soar to new heights in this fantasy with all the sparkle and luster of a starry night sky.

Review: Shadow Magic's beautifully imagined world and it's turned-on-it's-head look at the war between darkness and light, along with clever and fun characters easily makes it a new favorite for me.  While this cover was initially what made me excited to get my hands on this book, the story quickly held me enchanted.

In this fast paced adventure there is danger, magic, wonder, and so many emotional battles. I immediately took to Thorn, his gutsiness and humor and determination to right his wrongs.  Lily was just as feisty but also struggled with proving herself to those around her and grieving for her family. A third to their trio was K'leef, a hostage of House Solar, was funny and a little jumpy from a sheltered royal life, but so sweet and a good friend. One of my favorite characters was Hades, an ancient and gigantic bat. The closeness that grew between Thorn and Hades was absolutely charming and heartwarming.  I loved that throughout the story, doubts get seeded about the loyalty and guilt of many of the characters; there's some great foreshadowing and hints, but the mystery unfolds with some fun twists and gasp-worthy surprises. 

The story is also brought to life with a few really dark and edgy illustrations by illustrator Ben Hibon.  Still, with the writing alone, the whole world comes alive with vivid imagery of a gloomy castle that is also the home Lily loves, a wildly colorful Halloween festival, a gleaming bright parade of snooty House Solar guards and royalty, and a gory run-in with some very dark creatures.  This is one of those books that I would love to see brought to life on the silver screen.  I've heard no word on whether or not there will be more adventures for Thorn, Lily, and K'leef, but I would absolutely LOVE to spend more time with these characters in this beautifully-penned world. 
*WAIT!! I just spotted sequel info on Goodreads!! Hurray! :D*

Joshua Khan was born in Britain. From very early on he filled his head with stories of heroes, kings, and queens, until there was hardly room for anything else. He can tell you who King Arthur fought on Baden Hill but can't tell you what he himself had for breakfast. So his head stuffed with legendary knights, wizards, and great and terrible monsters, it was inevitable Joshua would want to create some of his own.  Hence Shadow Magic.  Josh Lives in London with his family, but he'd rather live in a castle. It wouldn't have to be very big, just as long as it had battlements. 

(author bio from ARC edition)

WEBSITE   •   TWITTER  
Add to Goodreads

Purchase Shadow Magic:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

*GIVEAWAY*

I'm passing along my ARC of this wonderful book, because I adore it and need the hardcover to grace my "favorites" shelf! :)  Who wants it?? You DO. :D
•Open to US mailing address
•Ends 5/20/16

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Waiting on...

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for. Though actually it almost never gets posted on Wednesday LOL.

A Thousand Nights

by E.K. Johnston

hitting shelves October 6th, 2015 

from Disney-Hyperion

LO-MELKHIIN KILLED THREE HUNDRED GIRLS before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.

And so she is taken in her sister’s place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin’s court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time. But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong.

Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air.

Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster.

My thoughts: Fabulous cover and with all the promise of myth, magic and monsters, I am SO ON BOARD. :)

Cover Story

Lots of new cover eye-candy!

Endsinger

by Jay Kristoff

Thomas Dunne Books, September 23, 2014

In the Afterlight
by Alexandra Bracken
Disney-Hyperion, October 28, 2014

The Opposite of Love

by Sarah Lynn Scheerger

Albert Whitman Teen, September 1, 2014

The Spiritglass Charade
by Colleen Gleeson
Chronicle Books, October 1, 2014

A Thousand Pieces of You

by Claudia Gray

HarperTeen, November 4, 2014

Whisper the Dead 
by Alyxandra Harvey
Bloomsbury Children's, October 9st, 2014

Wildlife

by Fiona Wood

Poppy, September 16, 2014

Dating Down
by Stefanie Lyons
Flux, 2015







What do you think? What's your favorite out of these?  The Lotus War books have had amazing covers all the way through the series. Love the handrawn/watercolor style of Dating Down. Love the exaggerated font on Wildlife. Spiritglass and Thousand Pieces are just so pretty.

Burn Bright by Bethany Frenette {Review}

Burn Bright by Bethany Frenette
♦publisher: Disney Hyperion
♦release date: February 25th, 2014
♦hardcover, 352 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦ series: Dark Star, book 2
              review of book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

*Fair warning: description and review may contain slight spoilers for book 1.*

Audrey Whitticomb saved her entire city.

Well, kind of. The superhero Morning Star (who just happens to be Audrey's mom) might have played a small part, and her sidekick, Leon—Audrey's sort-of boyfriend, who is gorgeous... and frustrating—maybe helped, too.

But after two peaceful months, there is a vicious new threat in Minneapolis. Her name is Susannah, and she's a Harrower, a demon hell-bent on destroying people like Morning Star, Leon, and Audrey—the Kin. Like others before her, she seeks the Remnant, a Kin girl who has the power to unleash the inhabitants of the Beneath. But to what end?

Audrey already has a ton on her plate: dealing with her best friend Tink's boy drama, helping her other best friend Gideon figure out his nightmares, and exploring the highs and lows of "dating" Leon. But when she develops a powerful new ability, Audrey seizes on the chance to fight, despite her mother's protests and Leon's pleas.

As Audrey gets closer to figuring out Susannah's motives and tracking down the Remnant, she'll uncover more than she bargained for. The terrible truth is staring Audrey in the face. But knowing the truth and accepting it are very different things.

Review: Though I readily admit that it may have been a timing issue, I had a hard time getting into Burn Bright.  I recall that the very beginning of Dark Star was kind of slow for me as well, but this one didn’t really grab me until over halfway into the book. 

There were many things about the plot that felt like a “middle book”, lots of little details that are building up to a big battle between Harrower and Kin in book three. Still, it did have its own exciting story arc and some really great shocking moments and reveals, even a few touching moments that had me tearing up a little. It centers, however, around a Harrower trying to find the Remnant to bring down the Kin---which is much the same as the first book.  There is a new scary demon running amok, taking out Kin, but there is also a new rogue guardian on the scene carelessly taking out all demons, even the ones that live peacefully in the human world. Though he was far from being a likable character, I was captivated by his backstory.

The budding romance between Leon and Audrey takes an interesting turn.  They are still cautious with each other since they are unsure how their romance will affect Leon being her Guardian---which it does. Not in a good way.  They’ve gone from playful bickering in book one, to romance, to full-blown arguing through this book, so don’t expect a lot of warm-fuzzy romance.  Well, a little bit…but not a lot. :)

My favorite part of the story is still the dynamic between Audrey and her mother. They have such a complex relationship. Even with such outlandish situations all around them, the two of them, as mother and daughter, still ring true.

Despite a few issues, all the little details and twists that popped up in this installment definitely will have me picking up book three---I have the feeling that what we find out about Gideon is going to lead to a frenzy of excitement and heartbreak. 

Find Bethany Frenette online:  Website  •  Twitter

Purchase Dark Star: Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound

Win DEEP BLUE by Jennifer Donnelly + custom nail polish set!

I'm sure you've all witnessed this gorgeousness:

Well, today I'm happy to be able to host this awesome giveaway: 

TWO winners will each win a copy of DEEP BLUE and a custom nail polish set inspired by the book!! 

 Prizing & samples  courtesy of Disney Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The first in a series of epic tales set in the depths of the ocean, where six mermaids seek to protect and save their hidden world.  

Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe. 

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin’s arrow poisons Sera's mother. 

Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin’s master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world’s very existence.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Donnelly is an award-winning author of both adult and young adult books, including Deep Blue, the first book in the Waterfire Saga. For adults she has written a trilogy of best-selling books that includes The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose, and The Wild Rose. Her first young adult novel, A Northern Light, received many accolades, among them the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Carnegie Medal in the UK, and a Michael L. Printz Honor. Her second young adult novel, Revolution, was named a Best Book of 2010 by Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, and the audiobook received a 2011 American Library Association Odyssey Honor. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley.

TWITTER  •  WEBSITE  •  GOODREADS 

Enter to win!!
Giveaway open to US addresses only
Contest ends 4/28/14

 

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Cover Story

I spied some new fantastic covers this week!

Mojave Green

by The Brother's Washburn

Jolly Fish Press, October 7th, 2014

Drowned

by Nichola Reilly

Harlequin Teen, June 24, 2014

The Halcyon Bird

by Kat Beyer

Egmont USA, November 11, 2014

The Last Good Day of the Year
by Jessica Warman
Walker Books, September 9, 2014

Maid of Deception

by Jennifer McGowan

Simon & Schuster,  August 26, 2014

 

Messenger of Fear

by Michael Grant

Katherine Tegan Books, September 23, 2014

The Furies

by Mark Alpert

Thomas Dunne Books, April 22, 2014

Vampires of Manhattan

by Melissa De La Cruz

Hyperion, September 9, 2014

Mojave Green's cover freaks me out just as much as the first book did! But I love it.  I love the colors on The Furies.  And the new cover style for the Maid of Secrets/Maid of Deception series is defintiley growing on me.  What do YOU think of these new book covers?

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Deep Blue 
by Jennifer Donnelly

hitting shelves May 6, 2014 from Disney Press

description:

Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe.

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin's arrow poisons Sera's mother. Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin's master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world's very existence.

My thoughts:   One gorgeous cover, an epic fantasy storyline, and the author that blew me away with her YA debut Revolution back in 2010...perfect combo.   It's been a long wait for more from this author---I'm ready!

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Dark Metropolis
by Jaclyn Dolamore

hitting shelves June 17, 2014 from Disney-Hyperion

description:
Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.

Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules.
Thea spends her nights waitressing at the decadent Telephone Club attending to the glitzy clientele. But when her best friend, Nan, vanishes, Thea is compelled to find her. She meets Freddy, a young, magnetic patron at the club, and he agrees to help her uncover the city's secrets-even while he hides secrets of his own.

Together, they find a whole new side of the city. Unrest is brewing behind closed doors as whispers of a gruesome magic spread. And if they're not careful, the heartless masterminds behind the growing disappearances will be after them, too.

Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, this is a chilling thriller with a touch of magic where the dead don't always seem to stay that way.

My thoughts: I don't know about the Cassie Clare comparison since I haven't read her books, but the mix of dark magic, hint of something zombie-ish, and 30's setting has got my attention!

Becky's View: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
♦publisher: Disney-Hyperion
♦release date: December 10th, 2013
♦hardcover, 374 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Starbound, book 1
♦source: gifted

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

Review:
This book. THIS BOOK.  ♥♥♥

Most of the time, I don’t really go for survival stories, and I’ve even started to cool a bit toward the dystopian/sci-fi genre, but this book brought me right back into love with both.   The scope of These Broken Stars just feels so grand, and romance builds so genuinely that it doesn’t overpower the story. It's just the perfect blend of so many things that really make this story shine.

The Icarus is basically like the Titanic in space.   Wealthy, spoiled heiress Lilac, daughter of the ship’s creator, is on board.  Tarver, a recently decorated war hero , is on his way home to his family.  The story is told in alternating POV by these two and that worked so perfectly for this story to fully bring the reader into their completely opposite worlds.  They catch each other’s eye almost immediately, but their second encounter ends in disaster. 

And then the ship goes down.

Tarver and Lilac find themselves thrown together on a deserted planet.  As much as they try to keep hating each other---sometimes to emotionally protect themselves, sometimes to protect the other---they each can’t help but be surprised by the other’s cleverness, kindness, or unexpected skill.  I love how slowly the ice melted between them and how the reader gets to ease into knowing each of these characters back story and the reasons for being the way they are.

What I loved most is the eerie feeling of the planet itself.  The mystery surrounding the lack of life or terraforming,  the creepy, haunting occurances that start to happen, the psychological  play between madness, hallucination, or…something else.  It all had a very “Twilight Zone” type of feel to it.  There are a few wicked twists that will literally tear your heart out and leave your jaw gaping.

Beautifully crafted storytelling, a tale that I found myself swallowed up into from the beginning and hypnotized by until the end.

Find Amie Kaufman online: Website  •  Twitter  •  Facebook

Find Meagan Spooner online: Website  •  Twitter  •  Facebook

Purchase These Broken Stars: Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Welcome to the Dark House
by Laurie Faria Stolarz

hitting shelves July 22, 2014 from Disney Hyperion

description:
What’s your worst nightmare?

For Ivy Jensen, it’s the eyes of a killer that haunt her nights. For Parker Bradley, it’s bloodthirsty sea serpents that slither in his dreams.

And for seven essay contestants, it’s their worst nightmares that win them an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at director Justin Blake’s latest, confidential project. Ivy doesn’t even like scary movies, but she’s ready to face her real-world fears. Parker’s sympathetic words and perfect smile help keep her spirits up. . . at least for now.

Not everyone is so charming, though. Horror-film fanatic Garth Vader wants to stir up trouble. It’s bad enough he has to stay in the middle of nowhere with this group—the girl who locks herself in her room; the know-it-all roommate; “Mister Sensitive”; and the one who’s too cheery for her own good. Someone has to make things interesting.

Except, things are already a little weird. The hostess is a serial-killer look-alike, the dream-stealing Nightmare Elf is lurking about, and the seventh member of the group is missing.

By the time Ivy and Parker realize what’s really at stake, it’s too late to wake up and run.

My Thoughts: I've actually never read this author before, but this sounds like too spooky and fun of a read to pass up.  There no guessing what's really going on here...but the whole thing sounds pretty trippy. Plus the cover is awesome.

Becky's View: Dark Star by Bethany Frenette

Dark Star by Bethany Frenette
♦publisher: Disney-Hyperion
♦released: October 23, 2012
♦hardcover, 368 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Dark Star, book 1
♦source: sent for honest review

Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human--something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile.

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers--livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin.

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight.

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything--and everyone--she loves.

Review: Bethany Frenette’s Dark Star, despite a bit of a slow start, ended up being a story I really enjoyed.  The writing is fun and casual and was the perfect way to tell this story.  Sometimes I have a hard time taking superhero-type stories seriously, but this is not your run-of-the-mill superhero story, leaning more toward paranormal fantasy.  They aren’t so much superheroes, but rather Guardians that protect the world from being taken over by an ancient race of demons.  

When the story opens, we meet Audrey.  She has a great humor and I love how protective she is of her mom---how protective they are of each other, actually. Despite the odd situation, their relationship felt very genuine, with it’s good moments and it’s struggles.  Audrey is used to living with secrets---on top of her own subtle powers of perception, she has to hide the fact that her mom is Morning Star, defender of the city by night, complete with a dedicated sidekick and mild-mannered alter ego by day.  Mom’s biggest secret is one that she’s kept from even Audrey to protect her, but when she winds up being the next victim in a series of attacks on teen girls, that secret is forced out. Suddenly, a whole new world opens up for Audrey and makes her feel part of something both special and incredibly terrifying. 

Leon, the sidekick is the bane of Audrey’s existence, always on her case like a bossy older sibling.  If anyone could make her snarky, snotty side come out, it’s him.  I actually couldn’t help but love the guy.  He’s a bit bossy, yes, but in a protective way---and he spends his down time as a baker, often popping into the room smelling like cookies (gotta love that!).  I loved how their relationship evolved over time and sort of naturally hit both complications and touching moments as little truths begin to surface.  

There are some great action scenes, heart-pounding, intense, and really visually written.  The demons are just creepy enough to set the spine tingling, mysterious and lurking and predatory. The actual villain and his accomplice felt a tiny bit cliché, but entertaining none the less.  

Definitely one to check out! Don’t go into it expecting the traditional superhero story---this one is not as it appears at first glance! I’ll definitely be checking out the sequel, Burn Bright, out February 2014!

Find Bethany Frenette online:  Website  •  Twitter

Purchase Dark Star: Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound

 

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

 

The Screaming Staircase

by Jonathan Stroud

hitting shelves September 17, 2013 from Disney-Hyperion
(August 29th from Random House UK)

description:
Hauntings are our business . . .

Ghosts crowd the streets and houses of London. Anthony Lockwood, with his slightly grumpy deputy George, and his junior field operative Lucy, make up LOCKWOOD & CO, the small, shabby yet talented ghost-hunting agency.

After a series of calamitous investigations into the supernatural go awry, the team are desperate to prove themselves. Their opportunity comes in the form of a terrifying ghost, the Red Duke. But little do they know what perils lie in store for them at the haunted Bliss Hall . . .

My thoughts:  Until recently I overlooked this one, because there's not alot of middle grade that catches my eye right off the bat.  However, after seeing the absolutely spine-tingling trailer, I'm super excited to read this.  Personally, going by the trailer, I think this actually looks a little creepy for the MG audience, but perfect for meeeee! :D

Check out the trailer: 

Becky's View: School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins
♦publisher: Disney Hyperion
♦release date: May 14th, 2013
♦hardcover, 304 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦source: acquired from trade

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?    

Review: With this spin-off of her Hex Hall series, Rachel Hawkins' books hold their place on my shelves as some of my favorite books. In her distinctive style, she gives us one more story that is so entertaining and just plain fun to read.  

From the moment we meet Izzy Brannick in Spellbound (book 3 of the Hex Hall series) I was so taken by this spunky youngest member of the tough Brannick Family, so you can imagine my excitement when I first heard she would be the main character in this new spinoff series.  I was not disappointed.  She has a fresh voice, so different from Sophia's hilarious constant snarkiness, but still bright and sure of herself, tough in a way that shows the no-nonsense way that she was raised as a Brannick, and sweetly naive to the ways of the outside world.  She's still so funny (how could any character written by Hawkins not be?), but with the fear and sorrow that she feels for her missing sister, we get to see her vulnerable side as well.  She's faced with some major challenges---both in proving herself as a creature hunter and in facing down the hallways of her new high school. 

The story weaves around and keeps you guessing as Izzy works to discover the mystery of the ghost haunting the school and who is behind it.  She makes some great friends for the first time in her life and discovers that being normal definitely has it's up and downs, but she learns to love it and knows she will miss it when it's time for her to move on.  More mysteries pop up when she meets a very unique guy named Dex who she comes to suspect of packing some pretty deep secrets...just one more thing to investigate, all while trying to figure out her growing feelings for him.  Romy is another super quirky character---leader of the school's "ghost hunting club" and the one to give Izzy her first experience of having a best friend.  

The ending was exciting and pretty surprising! Some might disagree, but I certainly didn't see it coming.  The twists kept coming and, for me, even as the ending neared, the guilty party could have been anyone! I really enjoyed this one all the way through---another fast-paced and incredibly fun read from Rachel Hawkins. I hope it continues (though sadly I've heard that this will be a stand-alone).

 Visit Rachel Hawkins online:  Website  •  Twitter  •  Facebook

Purchase School Spirits:  Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound

 

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

These Broken Stars
by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner 

hitting shelves December 10, 2013 from Disney-Hyperion

description: It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.

My thoughts: OH this looks good. I can't wait to find out about the "whispers".  The whole concept makes me think of Twilight Zone or Ray Bradbury stories. Which I love. :)

Book Trailers: Destroy Me, Darkest Minds, Falling for You

How did I miss the release of the Destroy Me trailer!? So excited for this one and Unravel Me!
Great trailers for Falling for You and Darkest Minds, too.  I love when they look like little mini movies, not just music and text.  Check it out:

Destory Me by Tahereh Mafi

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Falling for You by Lisa Schroeder

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Night School
by Shandy Lawson

hitting shelves April 30th, 2013 from Hyperion

description: Ben and Maggie have met, fallen in love, and died together countless times. Over the course of two pivotal days—both the best and worst of their lives—they struggle again and again to resist the pull of fate and the force of time itself. With each failure, they return to the beginning of their end, a wild road trip that brings them to the scene of their own murders and into the hands of the man destined to kill them.

As time circles back on itself, events become more deeply ingrained, more inescapable for the two kids trapped inside the loop. The closer they come to breaking out, the tighter fate’s clutches seem to grip them. They devise a desperate plan to break free and survive the days ahead, but what if Ben and Maggie’s only shot at not dying is surviving apart?

My Thoughts: This definitely sounds like a fun time-warpy book.  I love the cover with the bold title, and flying broken shards of clock!

Review: Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins
♦publisher: Disney Hyperion
♦released: March 13th, 2012
♦hardcover, 327 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Hex Hall, book 3
             review of Hex Hall
             review of Demonglass
♦source: purchased

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: The Hex Hall series has to be one of the most consistently fabulous series I've ever read.  I loved this installment, just like I loved Hex Hall and Demonglass. There was no lull...not a one. Spellbound kept the heart-stopping pace going with great new characters, new challenges, new dangers, while bringing back all of our favorite parts of the past books.

Sophie is still sharp and both her inner and outer dialogue is utterly hilarious, and she has to dig a bit deeper into herself to find her strengths both with and without magic.  Archer is still there to match her at every smart remark and charming glance.  Cal is still wonderful Cal.  Elodie finds a new way to be of use and also comes to a new low.  And the five of them, Sophie, Jenna, Archer, and Cal, never fail to have eachother's back.  In Spellbound, we also get a whole new look at Sophie's family, especially her mom, and she discovers a family history she never knew she had and makes some new bonds along the way.  The evil Casnoff sisters are back in full force, and they all mysteriously land themselves back at Hex Hall.

The ending was explosive and exciting and heart-breaking all at once---I'm very happy with the way this wrapped up (except for one part that I am bawling my eyes out over!). The whole book is a super fast read, I think I blew through this in a few hours---maybe too fast, because once it was all over,  I immediately started to despair that there would be no more. But YAY! Then I found out Hawkins is taking us back into this world with a spin-off featuring one of the new characters, Izzy Brannick! Ah, I can't wait!

An incredibly entertaining and fun series all the way through.  If you haven't started the Hex Hall series yet...you must!!

Find Rachel Hawkins online: Website •  Facebook  •  Twitter

Purchase Spellbound at: Amazon  •  BN.com  •  Bookdepository  •  Indiebound