SpellBound - Rachel Hawkins

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

Brilliant, heartbreaking, and beautiful the conclusion to the Hex Hall series is great. This is another case of me not wanting to let the characters go. I mean, if Rachel wanted to write a book that was Sophie and Archer in college and making out, I'd read it. Who wouldn't?
Honestly, this book made my heart stop in parts and speed up in others, I needed to read this all the way through in one sitting or I was going to explode, and if you're a super fan of the other Hell Hall books you'll understand.
A great conclusion to the series, but I'm glad that the world isn't entirely closed off, I'm looking forward to reading School Spirits.

The 5th Wave - Rick Yancey

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains.

After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th Wave, just one rule applies: trust no one.

Now it's the dawn of the 5th Wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother--or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Review

Full of suspense and survival The 5th Wave is an excellent start to the series.
What turned me onto this book was the book trailers that were released, I believe there were four or five of them and at first I didn't even know they were for a book, but they intrigued me. I kept watching them. Then as soon as this book came out I snatched up a copy.
I didn't put it down for two days, not until I finished reading it. Though the ending did seem to just stop, which disappointed me as soon as I found out that this is just a book 1, I can't wait for more.
It's a tale of survival, and trust, and well, aliens. And who doesn't love a good alien invasion book? I certainly do.
Cassie is written with such accuracy as a teenager girl that I had to look it up and make sure the author was a guy. I found her perspective even better than the male perspectives in the novel. There were a few times however, that I did have to reread a few parts when Cassie is thinking about the past.
Overall, I great read. I recommend it. 

With All My Soul - Rachel Vincent

What does it mean when your school is voted the most dangerous in America?

It's time to kick some hellion butt...

After not really surviving her junior year (does "undead" count as survival?), Kaylee Cavanaugh has vowed to take back her school from hellions causing all the trouble. She's going to find a way to turn the incarnations of Avarice, Envy and Vanity against one another in order to protect her friends and finish this war, once and forever.

But then she meets Wrath and understands that she's closer to the edge than she's ever been. And when one more person close to her is taken, Kaylee realizes she can't save everyone she loves without risking everything she has...

Review

Stunning conclusion to the Soul Screamer series, I loved this book like most of the books in this series from the moment I opened the cover from the moment I closed it. It was harder for me than I thought to let go of these characters at the end after everything I've been through with them. And I'm not going to lie, there was one point in the book that I closed it and shoved it under a pillow because I didn't want to know the fate of some of the characters. That lasted oh...ten minutes.
This is one of my favourite book series, and I have to say that this final book does it justice in my books.
And don't fear! There is PLENTY of Todd. 

Ripple - Mandy Hubbard

Title: Ripple
Author: Mandy Hubbard

Publisher: Razorbill
Pages:260
Format I read it in: Paperback
Release Date: July 21 2011

From the back of the book:

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. The water calls to her, draws her in, forces her to sing her deadly song to unsuspecting victims. If she succumbs, she kills. If she doesn't, the pain is unbearable. To keep herself and those she cares about safe, she shuts herself off, refusing to make friends or fall in love--again.

Then Lexi finds herself torn. Against her better judgment, she's opening up again, falling for Cole--the best friend of her first love--who sees through her icy facade. But when a new boy at school with a secret of his own offers her the chance to finally life a normal life, she learns that the price she must pay to be free of her curse is giving up the one who believes in her most.

Review: I'm a little late to the game for reviewing Ripple, but then again, there aren't really any late to the game reviews when it comes to books now is there? Didn't think so.

This was a quick read for me, I finished it in a couple of hours. When I picked it up at the bookstore, I didn't know anything about it, the cover is gorgeous and the author is also an agent, that's it. I knew nothing about the actual story, I was expecting something mermaid-y from the title, I was not expecting Sirens and a Nix. A pleasant surprise, not to mention the romance the peeks through even though Lexi is standoff-ish, and she has a right to be.

When I started I couldn't put it down. I'd definitely recommend it for your summer reading lists

Reviewer: Ashe

What's next on my list?: The Kissing Booth - Beth Reckles

The Selection - Kiera Cass

Title: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages:327
Format I read it in: Audio and Paperback
Release Date: April 24th 2012

From the back of the book:

For thirty-five girls, 

the Selection is the change of a lifetime.

The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

 But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she brings to realize that the life she's dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Review: On the back of the book there is also a blurb from Kiersten White author of Paranormalcy, she says The Selection is " Charming, captivating, and filled with just the right amount of swoon!" and I agree wholeheartedly with this, though as to not be a lazy reviewer, I'll give you my review.

I found out about The Selection over a year ago, by Kiera's youtube channel actually, and it's her personality and enthusiasm that turned me onto the book. But, it took me forever to get around to reading it, partly because of school, partly because I was afraid it would disappoint me. Spoiler? It didn't.

This is when I switched to the audio book, which is amazing by the way. Then I was captivated by America's story, about her secret love with Aspen and her blooming friendship with the Prince. Turns out my putting it off was a good thing, because now I can tear right into The Elite!

America is funny, guarded and true to not only to herself but to those around her in the Selection. I can see why Aspen and Maxon both want her.

Reviewer: Ashe

What's next on my list?: Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

The Program - Suzanne Young

Title: The Program
Author: Suzanne Young

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 405
Format I read it in: Hardback
Release Date: April 30th 2013

From the back of the book:

I look back at James one last time, and he gives me his signature smile, wide and cocky. But it's not real. Sometimes I think it's never real. James is the best at hiding the pain, disguising the feelings. He knows what it takes to stay out of The Program. He'll keep us safe.

He promised. 

Review: This is possibly one of the most touching and suspenseful and down right frustrating book I've read recently. I am in love with it.

From the first chapter I knew this book had me, no from the first page. I tore through most of the book in just a few hours, only stopping to catch a little bit of sleep before getting at it again. It didn't take me long to finish it, needless to say.

There were times while reading The Program that I was rocking back and forth trying not to cry, and then there were times where I got so mad at two characters being so close but not knowing, that was the frustrating part. There was also a time where I had a brilliant AHA! moment. I'm trying not to give away so much of this book with this review, you'll have to read it for yourself, but it's so incredibly hard because I love it so much.

This is not just a book about teenage depression and suicide, it is a tale of meant to be, and love, and perseverance, and loss. It is so entirely captivating, and pulls at my feels with everyone page, and leaves me wondering if The Program is truly helping or harming.

I'm waiting on the second one!

Reviewer: Ashe

What's Up Next On My List?: The Selection - Kiera Cass

The Duke's Trumpet

Now, I don't usually post things like this, but I couldn't help it. This post is copied over from my personal writing blog, but I couldn't help but share it here as well, because truth is, I'm SO excited for her!

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It is my amazing friends release day, that friend is Claire E. Smith, you can find her in any of the links I've posted below.

Basically, I just wanted to say how proud I am of you for pushing through all your obstacles and publishing Time & Heart book one: The Duke's Trumpet.

You know how much I love Bas, and now I'm super excited that so many other people get to enjoy him and Mimi and the entire cast of characters you have created and worked on for so long.

If you want to check out The Duke's Trumpet, you can find it on Amazon HERE

The Duke's Trumpet from Amazon. com

Going from shy bookworm to butt-kicking avenger isn’t easy, but somebody’s gotta do it….

All Mimi Mockel wants to do is read books 24/7. With nothing else to do on New Years Eve, she pays a visit to the New York City Public Library only to find they are closed for the evening. Spying an open window, she sneaks in and finds a mysterious book that appears to beckon to her.

She soon discovers the book is a rogue time-traveler’s diary and learns she has been chosen as the Prodigy. Suddenly, life is more complicated than Mom grounding her from her favorite library. Now she and her thirteen-year-old-brother Albert are thrust in a world where heroes aren’t read about, they’re made. And it’s up to her to save the future of 4218 from the terrible King Noctria who is winning a worldwide civil war.

When she learns that their-time traveling host, Sebastian “Bas” Barkley, is a notorious time thief, Mimi urges him to return everything he’s stolen from history, beginning with the trumpet of the legendary Duke Ellington. But Bas will only agree if she will learn alchemy as the Prodigy.

Soon she discovers a new world completely different from her own. Along the way, Mimi befriends others who are fighting for the cause. But when the cruel Ambassador of Time, Captain Deatherage, murders one of her friends, suddenly becoming the Prodigy just got personal.

Claire can be found around the internet:
Blog
Website
Twitter

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Maybe these release date celebrations should become a blog feature? What do you think?

-Ashe