Review: Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy

by Kiersten White

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (August 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061985848
• ISBN-13: 978-0061985843

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.
But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.

My Review: Adorable story line and cute characters, this book was another keeper that I would recommend to anyone, has all the loveable paranormal characters but not your typical vamps and such... it focused more on Werewolves, and mermaids, shape shifters and gremlins. I loved Evie, and her abnormal life. The way she grew through the story always trying to find her own way, in the life she was thrown into. An amazing love story starts and is just very adorable. I can't say enough about this story, Definitely recommended however.

Grab Box Giveaway #2

So last weeks winner is....

Kailia Sage

Kailia, if you could email me your address and final book choice at Starshadow.blog@gmail.com I will get your book out.

This week, same thing... Leave a comment with your email and your book choice to be entered, to answer the questions... YES, it is international!!!
and please only pick books on the Grab Box list, I will be adding some more books to this list this week.

Review - Hex Hall

Hex Hall

by Rachel Hawkins

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; 1 edition (March 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423121309
• ISBN-13: 978-1423121305

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.


My Review: I loved this book, Sophie was a extremely likeable character, who you fell in love with immediately, especially when you learn all the things hidden from her, then you meet the "arrogant" or so you think Archer, as well as the outcast Jenna. This story was read cover to cover without being put down and was absolutely fabulous. Great story line and plot, and I am so very much looking forward to Demonglass coming out in  March of 2011. For More information on Demonglass check it out here
 A must read story.

Review: Once Wicked Always Dead

Once Wicked  Always Dead

by T. Marie Benchley

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: MMWE Publishing House (September 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984478701
• ISBN-13: 978-0984478705

What happens when a family's darkest secrets put lives in jeopardy? How far would you go for love?
Molly Madison is unaware of the Sociopath who is on the loose, creating havoc with a sense of their own justice. Her life is shattered by the sudden death of her beloved parents and the revelation of her husband Phillip's affair - with another man - Molly leaves the life of Country Clubs and the luxury of city life in Florida and heads west to Montana, resolved to run the family ranch, and to move on with her life. Her attraction to Clayton Leatherbe, the ranch foreman, is instant, but before a romance can blossom, the ranch falls prey to sabotage by wealthy land developers determined to drive Molly out, and Clayton learns of a family secret and collides with the Sociopath that could put the ranch - and Molly's life - in jeopardy.
A sharp mystery that swirls with family secrets, betrayal, love and loss, Once Wicked Always Dead is a strong debut from an author with literary blood in her veins.

My Review: Fantastic novel, full of mystery, suspense and a cute love story. Fantastic Character development and descriptions as well as a well written story line and plot. It was as if you were watching it play out in your mind, as a movie. Feeling each emotion with the characters it catches you quickly. I do have to say there were some unanswered story bits and that left me a bit dissatisfied however, all in all a well written story.

Review: Beautiful Dead

Beautiful Dead

by Eden Maguire

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Children's Books (April 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340988614
• ISBN-13: 978-0340988619

Something strange is happening in Ellerton High. Phoenix is the fourth teenager to die within a year. His street fight stabbing follows the deaths of Jonas, Summer and Arizona in equally strange and sudden circumstances. Rumours of ghosts and strange happenings rip through the small community as it comes to terms with shock and loss. Darina, Phoenix's grief-stricken girlfriend, is on the verge. She can't escape her intense heartache, or the impossible apparitions of those that are meant to be dead. And all the while the sound of beating wings echo inside her head...And then one day Phoenix appears to Darina. Ecstatic to be reunited, he tells her about the Beautiful Dead. Souls in limbo, they have been chosen to return to the world to set right a wrong linked to their deaths and bring about justice. Beautiful, superhuman and powerful, they are marked by a 'death mark' -- a small tattoo of angel's wings. Phoenix tells her that the sound of invisible wings beating are the millions of souls in limbo, desperate to return to earth. Darina's mission is clear: she must help Jonas, Summer, Arizona, and impossibly, her beloved Phoenix, right the wrong linked to their deaths to set them free from limbo so that they can finally rest in peace. Will love conquer death? And if it does, can Darina set it free? 

My Review:
What a Beautiful story, well written, great attention paid to the details of the story, extremely loveable characters. I was quite suprised by this story as it seemed somewhat like the normal ghost like story  with a twist, however, I was quite shocked to read this story and feel like I was part of it. Wonderfully written, and a beautiful story that will touch you. I highly recommend this.

Review; Liar

Liar

by Justine Larbalestier

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books; First Edition first Printing edition (September 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599903059
• ISBN-13: 978-1599903057

Micah will freely admit that she’s a compulsive liar, but that may be the one honest thing she’ll ever tell you. Over the years she’s duped her classmates, her teachers, and even her parents, and she’s always managed to stay one step ahead of her lies. That is, until her boyfriend dies under brutal circumstances and her dishonesty begins to catch up with her. But is it possible to tell the truth when lying comes as naturally as breathing? Taking readers deep into the psyche of a young woman who will say just about anything to convince them—and herself—that she’s finally come clean, Liar is a bone-chilling thriller that will have readers see-sawing between truths and lies right up to the end. Honestly. 

My Review:
I really enjoy Justines' writing, she does great job explaining the characters and the storyline, proceeds wonderfully, however I just couldn't get myself into this storyline. However, I would say this would make a great book for discussions.

Review: Always A Witch

Always A Witch

by Carolyn MacCullough

Release Date August 1st, 2011

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (August 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547224850
• ISBN-13: 978-0547224855

ince the gripping conclusion of ONCE A WITCH, Tamsin Greene has been having nightmares. Though she should be enjoying her new boyfriend, Gabriel, or discovering more about her newfound magical "Talents," she's too busy dealing with her sister, Rowena's bride-zilla wedding demands and worrying about the resurgence of her enemy, Alistair Knight. But most of all, Tamsin is haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision. A choice so terrible, that it could destroy her family forever.

When Tamsin discovers that Alistair successfully went back in time to Victorian Era New York, in order to destory the Greene family, she's forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the 19th century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, bustling about as a servant, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the lascivious advances Liam Knight. As times runs out, Tamsin's brash demeanor and sardonic wit place her in the center of the fray as both families square off in a thrilling display of action and magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.


My Review: I loved the first book of the series, and I must say I liked the second even better. I sat and read this from cover to cover, was a wonderful conclusion to the series and a well written storyline, you fall even more for the character who seem to come so much more real than they did in the first book.

A definite must read, smooth and lovely.

Grab Box Giveaways

So I have decided to start doing weekly giveaways of books that will make it into the grab box... this page will be updated up me reading books or receiving additional copies of books.

You can check it out here...

So a simple comment giveaway here...

Just put your email addy and what book you would like to win, winner will be chosen on Sunday, when another giveaway will start!!!! GoodLuck!

Winners!!!

So the blogversary giveaway has ended, and winners have been picked

International winner is...

# 16 - 10/1/2010 3:42:38    Eva SB1

The US/Canada winners are.....

 #20 - JustPeachy
#9 - Caitlin (ScarrletReader)

All winners were chosen using Random.org

I have emailed all three of you regarding your prizes, you have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be picked.!

Thanks!

Review: Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters

By Natalie Standiford

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545107105
• ISBN-13: 978-0545107105

The Sullivan sisters have a big problem. On Christmas Day their rich and imperious grandmother gathers the family and announces that she will soon die . . .and has cut the entire family out of her will. Since she is the source of almost all their income, this means they will soon be penniless.

Someone in the family has offended her deeply. If that person comes forward with a confession of her (or his) crime, submitted in writing to her lawyer by New Year's Day, she will reinstate the family in her will. Or at least consider it.

And so the confessions begin....

My Review:
Adorable story line, and a book you get thrown right into, the stories that the three sisters confess are hilarious, cute, and just understandable. You get a chance to go through there lives with them and it makes for a very like-able story and characters.  Highly recommended by myself.

Voting Round 1 : Blog Button

Ok, seeing there was so many beautiful blog buttons created I have decided to do a blog poll :-) there are two buttons missing however, these two buttons are definites chosen by myself and will be thrown into the last round of voting :-)

So for round 1 please vote for your favorite button that will be shown Year round on my blog :-)

Voting will go until Tuesday the 19th and the next round will go up. Please vote for your favorite

Voting Round 1 Buttons

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

View Results
Create a Blog Poll

Review: Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires

Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires

by Molly Roe

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Tribute Books; 1 edition (November 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 098146193X
• ISBN-13: 978-0981461939

Coming of age amidst the seething unrest of the Civil War era, feisty fourteen-year-old Katie McCafferty infiltrates the Molly Maguires, a secret Irish organization, to rescue a lifelong friend. Under the guise of Dominick, a draft resister, Katie volunteers for a dangerous mission in hopes of preventing bloodshed. Katie risks job, family, and ultimately her very life to intervene. A series of tragedies challenge Katie's strength and ingenuity, and she faces a crisis of conscience. Can she balance her sense of justice with the law? Call Me Kate is suitable for readers from eleven to adult. The story is dramatic and adventuresome, yet expressive of daily life in the patches of the hard coal region during the Civil War era. This novel will appeal to readers of the Dear America series, as well as more mature readers who will enjoy the story's rich context and drama.



well written and great story line, not my type of normal story however i would recommend it to those who fall more into Historical YA as this may be right up your alley.

Create Me A New Button Contest

So as you can see I have decided to go with a new seasonal theme for Fall/Halloween and most likely I will use the seasonal thing as my new themes, one for each season... However, I now need a great button that will work for all seasons.

So I am asking anyone that is willing to make a button to please attempt one for me.  In return, the winner will receive a book pack from me to them for being the button I choose to go with.

To make this super easy for links, I have added a Mr. Linky for everyone to add there image links.
Thanks for your help and look forward to seeing what any of you can come up with.

I will run this until the 14th of October, before I pick a winner.

New commenting system

Just a quick update, I have added a new form, for those contacting me on the blog under contact us, I have also added Intense debate commenting system which seemed to wipe out all my old comments, however I like the system comment looks.

Any suggestions on any other ones i should look at, and whats your takes on the intense debate system?

Five days left till the Blogversary giveaway ends so be sure to check it out on the sidebar if you have yet to enter.!!!

Review- Guardian

Guardian

by Katie Hines

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC (January 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984070885
• ISBN-13: 978-0984070886

Description: Drew and his friends face an age-old sect that's determined to claim a treasure and ancient power. They race from the U.S. to Canada, pursued closely by the mysterious Brotherhood. Danny Hennigar, a member of the Oak Island Tourism Society, states, "I devoured [Guardian] in an hour and a half. It was a fun romp through the back woods, islands, and rivers of Nova Scotia, culminating, of course, with the dramatic moment on Oak Island when all was revealed. Wow, the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew meet Harry Potter on Nova Scotia's Oak Island."

My Review:
Cute fantasy book, with a great story line.  Not exactly my cup of tea but I know Matt plans on reading it next, as he is a huge fantasy type of fan.
I would recommend it however to those quick fantasy story lovers as it is a well written book, with great character details and storyline.

Minder- Recreate A Cover

Blkosiner Is holding a Recreate A Cover Contest for the book Minder, which looks like a book I will be adding to my to read list.

Here is the original cover:

Here is my attempt at the cover, I decided to focus on the theme of the book instead of a specific character, Hope you will participate in the voting rounds and please feel free to vote for mine if you like it.