Sarah's Review of Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber

I am currently reading Vampire Kisses, The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber, which consists of the first three stories in her series. The first story is simply called Vampire Kisses and that is the story I am blogging about today.

In this story, we meet Raven. In the beginning of the book it places you in her childhood, and then progressively moves on to her teen years. The story takes place when she is sixteen years old. She is not like most sixteen year olds. She wears only black clothes, including black lipstick and black nail polish, and she hopes to one day meet and fall in love with a vampire. She has an obsession with all things dark. In her town there is an abandoned old mansion that everyone finds creepy, yet she is intrigued by it and loves it. One day she finds out that it has become inhabited and is eager to meet the young teenage boy, Alexander, who lives there. She hopes that he is the real deal, a real vampire, who can make all of her dreams come true.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the way the book began. But it does give you a lot of insight into who she is as well as a relationship she has with another boy at her school, Trevor. Once it reached the present day, I began enjoying the book more. This book is definitely geared towards tweens. It is an easy read, and even though I am no longer a tween, or teen, I still found myself enjoying it.

Raven is a typical outcast in the story. Just because she looks different, everyone in her school treats her like a freak, especially a boy named Trevor. She is used to it, but it’s not easy to deal with. I like how she has a strong character, and even though people may tease her or think she’s different, she doesn’t change who she is or what she believes in. She is true to herself. She has one best friend, Becky, who has stuck by her side through everything.

The story of love in interesting, it deals with love at first sight. And even though that doesn’t happen very often, sometimes we find ourselves falling in love quickly. It does do a good job of describing the aches and pains of a first love and how we feel about love when we are in our teen years.

Throughout the whole story we are trying to figure out, along with Raven, whether or not Alexander is a vampire, or just a regular boy. It isn’t until the very end that you find out the truth, which leaves you wanting to grab the second book right away. Lucky for me it was just a turn of the page.

Schreiber does a good job of describing the scenes, making it easy to picture what is going on. I didn’t find I had to think very much or re-read anything with this book. It was very easy to follow. Schreiber’s writing flows nicely and it keeps you wanting to read.

If you are a tween or teen, you are going to love this! If you enjoy vampire books, you will probably enjoy this book. But if you are looking for something with a deeper meaning or something that makes you think hard about situations, then I’d look elsewhere. This is an easy read and great for light entertainment.

Sarah’s Review of Allegiant by Veronica Roth

What if everything you believed in and the world you lived in turned out to be nothing like what you had expected? What if your whole basis of existing in that world was turned upside down and you found out you had no privacy and were being manipulated your whole life? What would you do? Well, I finally finished the Divergent trilogy. In the third book, Allegiant, Tris Prior has realized that her world that she has lived in her entire life is becoming destroyed by violence, betrayal, people struggling to surpass others for power, and she has lost a lot of those that she cares about and what she held as truth. So she and Tobias decide to leave Chicago and go past the limits of the city to see what awaits them outside. Tris is hoping that beyond the fence she will find a simpler way of life. She is tired of all of the lies and grief she is feeling. Unfortunately she is quick to find out that this new world is no better than the last, if anything it is even worse. The truth they thought they had uncovered while still in Chicago becomes lies. Some of the new things that they learn change those around her and Tris must figure out who she is now more than ever. She needs to figure out her allegiance, which she should be with. She also learns how courageous she is, and how strong the power of love is.

The first book was by far the best one written, but I didn’t mind the other two. The third book, Allegiant, started off a lot slower than the other two, but it was a nice change of pace. Part way through it began to get a bit confusing trying to keep track of all of the new characters and what it was they were trying to accomplish. I had to re-read a few things to get back on track. But the turn the series takes is quite an unusual one. The truth about their lives and how they were living was shocking.

You didn’t know who to trust or who was telling the truth. There were lies being told all around and Tris and Tobias had to begin to trust their own instincts to figure out who they could help and believe, unfortunately they didn’t always agree on whom to trust, which made their love for each other challenged.

There are so many themes again in this book. Once again it deals with right and wrong and the struggles internally as to what to do. Tris searches in herself to figure out what’s right, not only for her, but for those she loves. What is the right thing to do in a world that is filled with lies? I love how we see all sides of Tris in this book. We see her not only as the dauntless initiate, but also as an emotional teenager trying to figure out how to deal with her grief and her love. She is still dealing with her grief and all that she has lost and I love that we see that even though she is a heroine and is strong, she also has a soft side which we can all relate to. We can’t all be strong all of the time and this book is an excellent example of that.  

The theme of love is strong in this book. We see Tris and Tobias get closer than we ever have, but we also see them struggle as they try to figure out their own allegiances and who they can trust. We even see a bit of jealousy unfold.

I really like the way Roth ended the series. I won’t say much, as I don’t want to give anything away, but I’ll just say that the way things come together, we almost see things come full circle, yet in a much better world. Everything they went through and everything they lost was not for nothing. Change can happen if you are diligent about it and passionate about it. Change does take time, but every little step in the right direction helps to bring it on. And sometimes change is good.

Sarah’s Review of Insurgent by Veronica Roth

 

I was lucky enough to be able to pick up this book, Insurgent, immediately after reading Divergent, the first in the trilogy. I’m glad I didn’t have to wait too long to continue with the saga. This novel picks up right where Divergent left off, and while Roth does do a lot of explaining and refreshing of events for us, I’m glad the other book was still fresh in my mind so I understood what was going on right from the beginning, as this book is action packed right from the start.

In this book, Tris (Beatrice Prior), is faced with the task of continuing to save everyone she cares about, while dealing with being haunted from her previous choices, grief over those she lost, all while trying to figure out who she really is. After her initiation day into the Dauntless faction chaos erupted and the threat of war is in the air. Now more than ever people need to decide which side they want to be on as the factions slowly fall apart. It is very important now for Tris to embrace her identity as a Divergent as secrets come forward and decisions must be made that can change everything, including losing some of those she loves.

Tris is such a strong female character and I love how Roth makes her out to be not only heroic, but also realistic. I think we can all relate at least a little bit to Tris. Even though she is risking her life and fighting with everything she has, it’s also very clear that she has her own internal struggles, with love and grief, and this book shows us that even the strongest people can’t be strong all of the time. With her divergence, she is able to see things from differing perspectives, unlike some of the other characters that are strictly stuck in one faction and they can’t see past their own beliefs to put themselves in someone else’s shoes.

Roth has a way of writing that makes you wonder if what is happening at that moment is the truth, or if there is something hidden. Some of her characters bring forth surprising secrets of their own and we are left wondering who we can trust. Loyalties are challenged. Even the love relationship with Tris and Tobias is challenged and we are unsure if we can trust that it is strong enough to last or if they can trust each other enough in the end.

The overall theme throughout I’d say has to do with figuring out what is right or wrong, but it is not as clear cut as that. Something might seem wrong, yet thinking logically, you would believe it to be right. We are shown to trust our instincts and go with our gut feeling, even if that means going against what we initially believe to be right. We also see a lot of conspiracies within the novel. There are so many people working against others that sometimes it’s hard to keep them straight.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has a lot of action, almost too many different things going on, and different places in which they find themselves in, that it was sometimes hard to remember it all. But it flowed well and it all comes together wonderfully. The ending was well done and sets up the next book perfectly. Although in the back of my mind I was always thinking that it might go that way, you’re never sure until it happens. There are so many possibilities that you are kept on the edge of your seat.

If you have read the first book I’d recommend continuing with the trilogy. If you have not read the first book, Divergent, then you need to get your hands on it and dive in!

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4039811.Veronica_Roth

COVER REVEAL - Dark Deliverance (Divine Hunter book 2) by L.J. Sealey

 

I am beyond thrilled to be able to share author L.J. Sealey's cover for her newest novel. Dark Deliverance is the second novel in her Divine Hunter Series.

About DARK DELIVERANCE

Sometimes you just have to go to Hell and back. . .

 

Forced apart, Lacy and Michael are now living very different lives. Michael is in Kentucky fighting demons and searching for a way to save his friend but even with the help of new allies he is hitting nothing but dead ends. Faced with no other choice, Michael returns to Hell and is determined to save Evo and put an end to his enemy so he can be reunited with the woman who holds his heart.

Lacy is trying to piece her life back together in Oakland but is struggling to fill the void that is almost tearing her apart. Just as she’s about to hit rock bottom, a new friend could hold the key to reuniting her with Michael. But at what cost?

Both find themselves in less than perfect circumstances. The repercussions of which lead them to discover a new threat born of Varesh and his growing army of demons: a new weapon, and a new plan that will ultimately lead to the end of the world as they know it. Will Michael’s new power be enough to destroy Varesh and protect not only the people he cares about, but also the rest of humanity?

 

You can find it on GOODREADS : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19157029-dark-deliverance
 

 RELEASE DATE : JUNE/JULY 2014

 

AND HERE IS THE COVER!!!

 

AUTHOR BIO:

L.J. Sealey was born and raised in a little Welsh town by the sea. It rains a lot, so she often has a great excuse to sit at her writing desk and while away the hours at her laptop.

She still lives in N.Wales and when she’s not travelling around the country working with her husband – who is a professional singer – or singing backup vocals herself, she likes to read and watch her favourite TV shows which normally includes plenty of CSI, The Vampire Diaries and endless amounts of sitcoms. Being addicted to reading about vampires, demons, shifters and angels, she has always had a thing for all things paranormal and is a big sucker for impossible love stories. So it was inevitable that when she started writing herself she would mix the two together.

 

 

You can find out more about L.J. Sealey at the following and see what she's up to :

 

Website: http://www.ljsealey.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorljsealey
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lj_sealey
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/ljsealey
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+LJSealeyAuthor

AWAKEN, Book 1 in the Divine Hunter series, is currently on offer on Kindle, iBooks, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble.

 

 

Links for Awaken:
Amazon Global: http://goo.gl/I7K8ix 
iBooks US: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/awaken-divine-hunter-1/id739564485?mt=11
iBooks: UK: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/awaken-divine-hunter-1/id739564485?mt=11
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/awaken-divine-hunter-1/4nkUB8a-_0O7jtMyAPNXCw
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/awaken-lj-sealey/1117352014?ean=2940045373623

  

 Here's your chance to win your own eBook copy!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sarah’s Review of Divergent by Veronica Roth

I finally got my hands on the Divergent Series by Veronica Roth and to start all I can say is WOW!!! This first novel blew me away! It was amazing! In this book, you meet the main character, Beatrice Prior, who lives in a dystopian Chicago that is separated in factions, five factions to be exact. These factions are Candor, where the people value and live by the virtue of honesty; Abnegation, where the selfless live; Dauntless, which houses the brave; Amity, which are the peacemakers; and Erudite, who value intelligence above all else. Every year, all of the sixteen year olds have to make a selection and decide which faction they wish to live in and therefore dedicate their whole lives to. If you choose the faction you have grown up in then you can continue to live with your family, but if you choose otherwise, then you must give up your family for what you believe. Beatrice needs to decide if she should stay with her family or give into who she really is. On the appointed day her choice surprises not only her family, but also herself.

The book then takes you into the world of initiation into the faction of her choosing. Since this is the beginning of her life now, she decides that she needs a new name, Tris. She finds a new group of people she wants to call her friends, but is struggling with whether they really like her or if they are just using her. She also finds herself attracted to an older boy, whom she’s not sure if he shares her desires; which can be fascinating yet frustrating all at the same time. Tris also is keeping a secret about herself hidden from everyone, even those closest to her, because the truth could be tragic for her. During initiation into her chosen faction she also learns a secret that could jeopardize everyone she has ever loved, and has to decide whether she should conform or follow her true self to help those she loves, no matter the cost.

Veronica Roth is an amazing writer. The plot is fast-paced and unpredictable. I never knew what I was going to find on the next page, and therefore just had to keep reading to find out. It is definitely a page turner. Even within the exciting world of Tris, Roth manages to throw in some good life lessons. Overall this story starts out as a coming of age book, where Beatrice (Tris) has to make a big decision at the young age of sixteen that will affect the rest of her life. She needs to know enough about herself and look deep within to find out what virtues she possesses and whether that is worth leaving her family and all she has ever known. Tris deals with internal struggles throughout the book, even after she chooses her faction, as she tries to figure out who she really is, her true self-identity. Tris comes to realize what her strengths and weaknesses are, and are surprised to find certain strengths she never thought she had. I also love the romance story that Roth has weaved into the book. The whole time you are wondering what is going to happen and what the subtle, or not so subtle, tips are that the boy is giving her. Is he trying to tell her something more? Help her? Warn her?

I can’t wait to dive into the second book, Insurgent. If you are a fan of the Hunger Games, then I suggest you pick up this series and dive into Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago.

Sarah’s Review of Whisper by Alyson Noel

Whisper is the final book of four in the Riley Bloom Book Series by Alyson Noel and it is by far my favourite one! In this book, Riley has been given the biggest, most challenging soul catch she has ever faced and finds herself a little bit worried, although she’d never let Bodhi, her guide, know that. She has been assigned a Roman gladiator named Theocoles, nicknamed The Pillar of Doom. She has no idea how a little twelve year old girl such as herself will be able to convince a real gladiator that it is time to move on. When she arrives, she quickly finds herself taking on the challenge completely on her own, she will have no help this time from Bodhi, or even from buttercup, her dog. Quickly into her wanderings she meets a beautiful girl named Messalina. Messalina quickly captivates Riley and convinces her that in order for her to be successful then she must become a part of Messalina’s world. Messalina transforms Riley into a beautiful young woman, allowing her to mature and look the part of a beautiful teenager, which she has been wishing to be for so long. With this transformation, Riley may be able to not only experience her first boyfriend, but also her first kiss. Although she quickly realizes Messalina is trying to entrap her in her world, Riley is reluctant to believe it, and to try to stop it. With everything she has ever wanted within her reach, Riley may just stay there, unless she can break free from Messalina’s spell and save herself too.

In this book Riley faces some big concepts, such as learning what it takes to grow up and to find love. Noel is a genius in delivering these big life lessons without being in your face with it. Riley learns what being mature and growing up really means and how you can achieve that even in the afterlife. She learns that she needs to listen to her own mind and her own heart, instead of others, and to see the truth that lies within.

Noel also throws in the concept of beauty as being only skin deep. In order to really grow and be beautiful, you need to be honest with yourself and accept who you are before you can grow. Noel has Riley face her issues, especially body image issues, which many young girls struggle with and can relate to. Noel very subtly, yet effectively, helps the reader understand that there is more than what meets the eye. You need to accept yourself as who you are and that in itself will help you lead a more happier life, while propelling you to where you truly want to be.

This was a wonderful final novel in the series and I highly recommend reading it, especially to the tweens. Even if you don’t read the first three, I believe you will enjoy this last book. Happy reading!

Sarah’s review of Dreamland by Alyson Noel

 

In the third book of the Riley Bloom Book series, Dreamland keeps us located in the Here and Now. Riley and her guide Bodhi are given a break from soul-catching after sending numerous souls across the bridge in the last book. But Riley is finding out that other than soul-catching, she’s not quite sure where she stands in the Here and Now. She does not want to interfere with her parents and grandparents lives because they all seem to be having such a great time with their special projects. She finds herself longing for friends, and to find the truth in how to achieve her biggest dream ever. All she has ever wanted to do is to turn thirteen, but having died at the age of twelve she felt as though that would never happen. Yet a brief conversation with Bodhi has left her hopeful that there is a way to achieve her goal after all. Her next step in her quest is to try to talk to her sister, Ever, through a dream. But she needs to find Dreamland in order to do it, and hope that it’s not banned as Bodhi suggested. Upon finding Dreamland, she meets Balthazar, the director of Dreamland who fills her in on the two ways to send dreams. You can either be a dream jumper, where you just jump into the person’s dream and participate, or you can be a dreamweaver, where you can create the entire dream in a studio and send it to the dreamer. Riley learns that the latter, years ago, had been outlawed, and no one practises it anymore. But Riley being the stubborn girl that she is, goes off in search for this studio only to come across another ghost boy who has continued dreamweaving by sending nightmares to people. Riley finds herself trapped in her own nightmares and must find a way to break free in order to save herself and attempt to save the ghost boy.

Once again, Riley is in over her head, and her stubborn attitude leads her to seek out what she wants, no matter what the consequences. She finds herself thrown into a dangerous situation in which she may not make it out of. But while dealing with her own nightmares she begins to grow as a person. In the end Riley learns a very important lesson, not only about herself, but about life in general.

Alyson Noel has such a way with words that keeps you hanging on. Even though these books I feel are geared towards young teens, I find myself continually turning pages to see what Riley is going to do next, or what is going to happen to her now that she has found herself in another unpredictable situation. Noel’s descriptions allow you to put yourself right in Riley’s shoes and see the world, or the Here and Now, just as she sees it and to feel and experience what she is going through. Thanks for writing books that keep us so entertained!