Sunday, July 29

Dark Frost (Mythos Academy #3) by Jennifer Estep

Dark Frost (Mythos Academy #3) by Jennifer Estep
Release Date: May 29, 2012
Publisher: Kensington
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 336


Summary: I’ve seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall. I know I’m supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I’m just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me—again.

Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects—and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I’m also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me?

It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can’t use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me—and I’m in for the fight of my life.

My Thoughts: OH WOW! Dark Frost sure does start out with a bang!

We are back with Gwen and her group of friends!  Carson, Daphne, Logan and Gwen are visiting a museum (along with plenty of other students from Mythos) when all hell breaks loose.  Reapers come in and a fight breaks out! A lot of people are killed.

Dark Frost focuses on Gwen and her psychometry magic and how she can use it. It focuses on Loki and how he’s going to find a way to make his way into their world again. And kill everyone he can get his hands on! It focuses on Logan and Gwen’s relationship and all the drama at Mythos Academy. And it focuses on the Reapers and how they plan to kill Gwen and everyone she knows.

Estep sure does know how to draw a person into the story. I was so into it, I fell asleep reading and got back up the next morning to finish this novel! It was so freaking good. Even though some parts are predictable, I still couldn’t stop reading!

Gwen and Logan together= HOT! I want more of him right now! I need the next in the series!

And that wolf! I want a pet wolf! I was so happy to see her back in Gwen’s life.

Dark Frost made me laugh out loud and have to try to explain to my boyfriend why I was laughing! But it also made me cry, and the boyfriend also asked me why I was crying over a novel! I couldn’t help it, but a few tears ran down my face. I’m sure you know the part I’m talking about! Poor poor girl.

Dark Frost was full of action and mystery and I felt like I left this novel knowing more about Mythos Academy, and what Gwen will have to face next.  The last page of the book I did feel a little down. I was like, thats it??? NOOOOOO!!!

Overall: Loved it! I just love this series so much! I adore it. If you're looking for a fun series with unforgettable characters, please start this one now!

Cover: Like it.  I don’t love these covers, but they are ok.



What I'd Give It:

Monday, July 23

Ditched by Robin Mellom

Ditched by Robin Mellom
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher:Hyperion Book CH
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288


Summary: THERE'S A GIRL.
Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. That said, she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.

AND THERE'S A BOY.
Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat, handle first.

Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.

Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom.

THEN THERE'S A DITCH.
But when Justina is ditched, figuratively and literally, she must piece together--stain-by-stain on her thrift store dress--exactly how she ended up dateless...with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven.

To get the whole store, Justina will have to face the boy who ditched her. Can losing out at her prom ultimately lead to finding true love.

My Thoughts: Oh, Justina how I loved your story!  I loved hearing your side in a gas station in your eyes.

We are introduced to Justina who has been ditched, at her own prom. It's early morning, she has no car, is  moneyless, purseless, and all alone. She ends up in a gas station telling two other women her story.  It all starts off with her feelings for Ian, her best friend, and the prom date from hell.

She had her prom so planned out. She picked out the perfect dress (perfect for her), the perfect shoes, even the perfect boy. It all starts out with Justina telling them about the way she went and picked out the dress with her mom and dyed the shoes to match. She was asked by Ian, and she was excited to go. Very excited to finally be able to reveal her feelings for him once and for all.

Justina is the kind of girl who has to limit herself. She limits herself on how much money she spends on clothes every week at the thrift store, she limits herself on what she eats, and how she eats it. She hasn’t always been this way, she had quite the reputation but she’s a changed girl. She’s very goal oriented.  And Ian, oh Ian, I can’t say much about him but he was swoonworthy!

We learn every detail of the night through Justina’s eyes from each and every stain on her dress, and every moment that counts. We even get to experience eating the gas station food with her and the pre-prom party. And we get to learn more about her tattoo! Neato!  I loved learning the stories behind those stains!

Ditched was a fantastic story. I loved it so much! I can see both sides to this story. I can see why Justina wanted everything to be perfect but I can see why Ian acted the way he did too.

I really enjoyed Ditched a lot. It was a short fast read and I could see myself reading another 200 pages of this and still being interested.  I’m not a flashback kind of girl but I really loved this one.

Overall: I can’t wait to see what Mellom writes us next! She sure does know how to tell an interesting story!  Not everyone will enjoy this one I’m sure because its contemporary, and the plot basically focuses on her time at prom. It won’t be a novel for everyone, but it was the perfect novel for me!

Cover: Love it! Her dress is awesome, I actually like it! And love how everything is so blue! And even love the background. Neat cover!

What I'd Give It:

Thursday, July 19

Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams

Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Simon And Schuster
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352


Summary: After her brother’s death, a teen struggles to rediscover love and find redemption in this gripping novel.

Growing up in Africa and Latin America as the children of missionaries, London and Zach were as close as could be. And then Zach dies, and the family is gutted. London’s father is distant. Her mother won’t speak. The days are filled with what-ifs and whispers: Did Zach take his own life? Was it London’s fault?

Alone and adrift, London finds herself torn between her brother’s best friend and the handsome new boy in town as she struggles to find herself—and ultimately redemption—in this authentic and affecting novel from award-winning novelist Carol Lynch Williams.

My Thoughts: I really went into this with high hopes. It had such promising reviews, and it is in verse, which I usually really enjoy. I liked Waiting enough but I didn’t love it. I only thought it was ok.

We are introduced to London who is mourning the death of her brother Zach. The tragedy has torn her family apart. Her mother barely speaks to her and her father is always working. London is on her own a lot of the time.  She also has a friend or ex boyfriend named Taylor. He was also her brothers best friend. I liked Taylor but I never connected with him very much. Same with her new friends Lili and Jesse. They are new to the school and befriend London pretty quick. Well mostly Lili does but Jesse is usually around too.  Lili and Jesse have very different personalities than what London is used too. They are carefree and nice to be around.

Waiting basically tells the story of London and how she is coping with her brother’s death. It isn’t pretty. She has so many problems just with getting up in the morning.

This novel wasn’t really what I was expecting. And the stuff we find out about Zach towards the end really surprised me, I just wasn’t expecting it.

I liked Waiting but there was way too much of a religious tone for me. I have nothing against religion in novels, I usually even like it, but this just wasn’t the right novel for me. I just had higher hopes for it than what I guess I should have.

Overall: If you’ve enjoyed other books by this author, maybe you’ll like it more than me. I liked The Chosen One and Miles From Ordinary but this just wasn’t my kind of novel. I enjoyed it enough to keep reading but it didn’t hold my attention or draw me in like I was expecting it too.  I did like that it was in verse, so it was a quick read.

Cover: Like it, it's very romantic. Love how they are hugging and how we can see a part of her face and the back of his head. Love it!





What I'd Give It:





Tuesday, July 17

Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham

Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Publisher: Simon And Schuster Books For Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 336


Summary:  1 Concert
2000 Miles
3 Ex-Best Friends

Alice, Summer, and Tiernan are ex-best friends.

Back in middle school, the three girls were inseparable. They were also the number one fans of the rock band Level3.

But when the band broke up, so did their friendship. Summer ran with the popular crowd, Tiernan was a rebellious wild-child, and Alice spent high school with her nose buried in books.

Now, just as the girls are about to graduate, Level3 announces a one-time-only reunion show.

Even though the concert’s 2000 miles away, Alice buys three tickets on impulse. And as it turns out, Summer and Tiernan have their own reasons for wanting to get out of town. Good thing Alice’s graduation gift (a pea-green 1976 VW camper van known as the Pea Pod) is just the vehicle to get them there.

But on the long drive cross-country, the girls hit more than a few bumps in the road. Will their friendship get an encore or is the show really over?

My Thoughts: A road trip to see a concert? With three ex best friends? Sounds like my kind of novel! Fun in the sun, I tell you!

We are thrust right into the story of Tiernan, Alice, and Summer. They used to be best friends, but something happened, and made them drift apart and start their own lives. Now they are back or reunited to go on a road trip after graduation to see their favorite band when they used to be friends. An event happened that basically turned them against each other, tragic!

Reunited was such a fun novel. We see each character’s personality and how much they change over the course of the novel. They learn to accept each other, put the past in the past and finally try to overcome the obstacles they’ve been trying to desperately fight over the past few years. Each girl has her own problems she needs to get past rather it be boyfriend trouble, college trouble, or family trouble.

Reunited was so neat. I loved the parts where they were pushing The Pea Pod out of the mud or going swimming in the pool or stopping to eat and sleep. It was all so much fun.

I won’t lie, usually I have to read a novel with some sort of romance in it. I like contemporary young adult romance books. I’m guilty of that. If it doesn’t have a romance somewhere, I usually tend not to read it. Reunited really didn’t much... Yes, a few boys were in the story but it wasn’t about them. It was all about the girls.  I really enjoyed Reunited and I never got bored with it. I laughed my way through most of it. It was a riot!  And yes, it still had its learning moments as well.

Reunited was such a fun novel and I hope everyone reads it! This is one of those novels you should read this summer! Don’t let it pass you by!

Overall: I really really liked it. I liked all three girls in my own way. Each one was so different but I could see why they had been friends.  Perfect road trip book for a nice hot day in the sun!

Cover: Totally fits! Especially with their clothes and the map. Cute!

What I'd Give It:

Sunday, July 15

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Release Date: June 14, 2012
Publisher: Dial
Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 304


Summary: "One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen year old Samantha wishes she was one of them… until the day Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything.

Jase can sense that his beautiful neighbor is missing something in her sterile home, and as the two fall fiercely in love, his family makes her one of their own.

But when the bottom drops out of Sam's world, which perfect family will save her–and will her perfect love survive?

Set among the haves and have-nots of a coastal New England town, My LIFE NEXT DOOR captures the angst, the heartache, and the raw-nerve emotions of first time love—and biting loss.

My Thoughts: Seriously, this book was so fantastic!!!

We are introduced to Samantha whose 17 years old. She lives with her mother who is running for senator and her older sister. She also has a best friend named Nan and she has a brother named Tim.

Than there are the Garretts. They are a huge family who live next door. They have lived next door for most of Sam's life but she has went to the private school and their family has been at the public school so they haven't ran into each other. But Sam has watched the family from her rooftop. One day, it all changes when Jase Garrett climbs up and talks to her.

From there a whirlwind relationship begins. Through the swimming, the cuddling, the family interactions, I fell madly in love with Jase and their relationship was so beautiful and wonderful and amazing.

But everything isn't perfect. Sam is faced with a big decision she has to make. It isn't easy and she wants to make the right one, but someone will get hurt.

We get to experience Sam's first time, we get to experience her relationship with her best friend, and all while she is falling in love with the boy next door, literally.

I don't want to say much about My Life Next Door, because I want you to experience it... This is  one of the best debuts I've ever read. It was everything a contemporary is supposed to be.  This rates up there on the scale that Anna and The French Kiss did for me.

My Life Next Door is freaking amazing! Beautiful. Awesome! Fantastic. I bet this makes my top 10 favorites of the year.

And Jase is so dreamy. He it HOT, sweet, sensitive, why can't all boys be like him?

Overall: OH MY GOSH! Read in two sittings! Wanted to read in one, but it got to be too late at night and had to stop! My Life Next Door should be on your TBR pile for 2012, no doubt about that.

My Life Next Door was a ray of sunshine mixed with hot chocolate and heart shaped candies. Truly a wonderful novel and I loved every page of it.

Cover: Love! Love! Pretty! Love the scenery, love the way they are kissing.

What I'd Give It:

Thursday, July 12

So Close To You by Rachel Carter

So Close To You  by Rachel Carter
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320



Summary: Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the experiments that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who’ve disappeared over the years. When she stumbles into a vessel that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, Lydia realizes that all the stories she’s ever heard about the Montauk Project are true—and that she’s in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside Wes, a darkly mysterious boy whom she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices. And if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them...and herself.

My Thoughts: Oh wow, how I loved So Close To You! I don't usually like any kind of book that is historical. I have problems getting into those time periods but So Close To You was fantastic. It's like Time Traveler's Wife meets Scifi Channel.

We are introduced to Lydia who is your average teenage girl. She lives with her family including her grandpa. Her grandpa has a lot of theories about the Montauk Project, which is a space in the forest that used to exist. He has a lot of different ideas of what went on, what took place, and what exactly it is.

Lydia tries to believe his theories but she really doesn't buy the whole thing. She loves her grandpa so most days she just goes along with it. One day while out exploring she opens up the door on a vessel and stumbles back into the past. Back in the past where her great grandpa and his family existed. She meets her grandfather as a 6 year old. Can you imagine what that would be like?

She meets the rest of his family, she meets a few friends and a few new guys, including Wes. Wes was in the vessel that day and he is taken back to the 1900s with her. Wes was a very interesting character. I loved how he protected Lydia and tries to help her get the answers she needs. I loved how they felt about one another and how the relationship actually took a bit of time to develop.

Of course with time travel, there is always the consequence of changing something. You've heard of the whole butterfly effect?

So Close To You was an amazing read. I loved every minute of it. I loved seeing how Lydia gets herself into and out of certain situations. I loved how strong willed and smart she was. I loved how she interacted with all the other characters as well.

And the ending, oh my.... Talk about a big change......

Overall: I really loved this one. I can't wait to read the next book, I hope there is a next book!!! I loved Lydia and Wes, and Lucas, and Peter, and all of them! Such fun characters, such a fun and really "out" there plot.

All in all, what a great debut. A mix of sci-fi mixed with romance mixed with time travel.

Cover: Love it!!! She has such pretty red hair and love the way the sky looks.


What I'd Give It:

Wednesday, July 11

Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols

Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: MTV Books

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320


Summary: The wildly popular author of Going Too Far, Forget You, andLove Story returns with a sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers.High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing more than flying. While she’s in the air, it’s easy to forget life with her absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. When her flight instructor, Mr. Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. And when he dies suddenly, she’s afraid her flying career is gone forever. But Mr. Hall’s teenage sons, golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson, are determined to keep the banner planes flying. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business—until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers—and the consequences could be deadly. Engrossing and intense, Such a Rush is a captivating story from an author with a rising star

My Thoughts: I swear if Echols wrote a book about something as annoying as spam, I'd still pick it up and read it! I adore her writing style, her insight, her romantic and intriguing characters.

We are introduced to Leah who loves airplanes. She has spent her whole life living near airports. She has moved around a lot with her mom from trailer park to trailer park, which always happens to be near an airport of some kind.

Leah is the kind of girl you have to like. She may come off as tough but really she's just motivated. Nobody really knows her or understands her. Except her best friend. All the other girls think she is bad news or out to steal their boyfriends. She has a reputation because she doesn't live on the "right" side of town and she's a little rough around the edges.

It's only right that Leah gets a job with Mr. Hall at his banner advertising business. She's only 14 years old at the time so she can only do office work but it is Leah's dream to fly an airplane so she saves up some of her earnings and plunks it on his table in exchange for a flying lesson. And that is where it all starts. Over the years, she stays at her job and learns to fly on the side.

Flash forward three years and Leah is flying for the business!!! There is nothing more she loves than being up in the air, feeling in control, taking her destiny in her hands.

Than there are the famous brothers. Grayson and Alec. Hot brothers? Oh yes! But not only are they brothers but they are twins! Oh yes! Eek! Hot! Sexy! They also have an older brother named Jake. Through the years, Leah has seen them when they come visit their dad (Mr. Hall) but she doesn't really get to know them. They think they are "better" than her I guess and they barely talk to her except when they have too.

When Mr. Hall dies, Leah is left with no idea what she is going to do next, she assumes the business will shut down and she'll be out of a job. But, instead Grayson and Alec decide they are going to keep the business with Leah as one of the pilots.

So much drama starts from there. Leah starts dating Alec. Grayson has a plan and blackmails Leah into it. Leah is trying to hold it all together, we can see her emotional and physical struggle. Her mom isn't around much, she doesn't know what she's going to eat most days as her refrigerator is usually empty.

She wants to do what she has to for Alec but she also has always had a thing for Grayson.

Leah and one of the boys kind of have a unique relationship. They don't always see eye to eye, and that is what made Such A Rush so interesting. It's your love story that doesn't start out as a love story. They don't fall in love within five pages either. There was tension, chemistry, all leading up to the big bang!

And that beach and tornado scene- HOT! SEXY! BLISTERING!

I just want to say I loved the plot of this. I loved all the airplane moments. I loved experiencing what it was like to be a pilot and to feel such love for something.  I also loved Leah's relationship with both boys and how the story turned out.

Echols has this way with words. She can light up my life for a few hours by telling her stories. They are always so freaking amazing.

Such A Rush is another brilliant story full of twins, brothers, pilots, airplanes, death, and most of all love and what it means to be in love.

Overall: Can't you tell I loved this book from above? Come on! What more can I say? Echols you have wowed me again!  Please write faster and more so I can read more of your marvelous books!

Cover: Really liked it! I was hoping it would have a plane or one of the boys but this is pretty too. I can see Leah looking like that, especially with her long hair.

What I'd Give It:  

Tuesday, July 10

Never Enough by Denise Jaden

Never Enough by Denise Jaden
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 400


Summary: From the author of Losing Faith, a novel about two sisters and the eating disorder that threatens to destroy their family.

Loann’s always wanted to be popular and pretty like
her sister, Claire. So when Claire’s ex-boyfriend starts
flirting with her, Loann is willing to do whatever it
takes to feel special…even if that means
betraying her sister.

But as Loann slips inside Claire’s world, she discovers
that everything is not as it seems. Claire’s quest for
perfection is all-consuming, and comes at a
dangerous price. As Claire increasingly withdraws
from friends and family, Loann struggles to
understand her and make amends. Can she heal their
relationship—and her sister—before it’s too late?

My Thoughts: What a wonderful second novel from Jaden who sucks you into this story that is a  gut wrenching, heart breaking story.

We are introduced to Loann and her sister Claire. In Loann's eyes, Claire is perfect. She's older and always been the one to look up too, according to their parent's. Loann has spent her life being told, "why don't you try to be more like your sister, more popular, more outgoing, more everything.?”

Loann has gotten used to being in the background. She also has a crush on Claire's boyfriend Josh, at first. The crush started a long time ago, before he was Claire's boyfriend. Loann has spent a lot of time fantasizing about him even though she knows she shouldn't.

The book opens up on Loann's birthday and Claire and Josh got her an old camera. Loann gets really into pictures and meets a boy along the way. His name is Marcus and his locker is next to hers.

As the story progresses we learn that Claire has a lot of problems, an eating disorder and Marcus has his own set of problems.

Gosh, this book made me want to cry so many times. I felt so sorry for all the characters. Even the crap that Loann goes through with Josh made me want to cry. This girl has a lot to deal with and has the bravery and ability to really help those around her.

Never Enough was a great sophomore novel and I enjoyed reading it. It's more contemporary than anything but deals with some mega serious subjects.  I wanted to take all the characters, snuggle with them, and tell them it would be ok. But it isn't always ok, and I need to accept that. A lot of denial is also going on through this novel. The girl's parents, they were so naive. Maybe deep down they saw it but were afraid to do anything real about it. I don't know but I wanted to make everyone's life better.

Never Enough was a great novel about sisters and what they really mean to one another. And love and friendship and how that can win out over anything.

Overall: Enjoyed it. Didn't love love it like I wanted too but I did enjoy it. It was a serious read, not the normal "fun" read I would normally do. It was so serious!

Cover: Like it. Its not too fancy but it works.

What I'd Give It:  

Monday, July 9

Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire

Don’t You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire
Release Date: July 10, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Books For Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 368

Summary: When plain and unpopular Annie Nutter gets zapped by one of her dad's whacked-out inventions, she lands in a paraallel universe where her life becomes picture-perfect. Now she's Ayla Monroe, daughter of the same mother but a different father—and she's the gorgeous, rich queen bee of her high school.  

In this universe, Ayla lives in glitzy Miami instead of dreary Pittsburgh and has beaucoup bucks, courtesy of her billionaire—if usually absent—father. Her friends hit the clubs, party backstage at concerts, and take risks that are exhilirating . . . and illegal. Here she's got a date to lose her V-card with the hottest guy she's ever seen.

But on the insde, Ayla is still Annie.

So when she's offered the chance to leave the dream life and head home to Pittsburgh, will she take it?

The choice isn't as simple as you think.

My Thoughts: This book was so different than anything I have read lately. It was a good different.

We start off the book being introduced to Annie Nutter, who has a brother, a mother and an inventor father. He is always brainstorming some idea and trying something new out. While shopping one day, Annie's mom finds a magazine with an article about an ex boyfriend. He is pretty wealthy, she starts to wonder what her life would be like if she had married the other man.

One day, Annie is messing with her dad's newest invention and she gets sucked into another universe. She wakes up to find herself as the other guy’s daughter. What does that mean? It means she has a new father a new brother, a big house, the whole works. It also means she has new best friends, and an actual boyfriend. She's not a nobody anymore, she's actually popular! Her name isn't Annie anymore either, its now Ayla.

To me, she will always be Annie though. Annie tries to fit in and stay up to date on being popular, even if this means changing her personality and trying to be "cool."

We get to experience Annie's new life as Ayla, and all the change she has to go through. She has to do whats right for her regarding her new family, new friends, and new boyfriend.

She also meets a boy who isn't who he seems. Annie instantly clicks with him and becomes his friend. She learns some deep dark secrets about him. To everyone else, he's not popular at all, he's homeless, he's a loser.

Annie has to evaluate her priorities and decide to do whats right. Does she want to keep Ayla's life or go back to her own? Does she want to go from being popular to a nobody again?

Overall: Don't You Wish was a fun cute read. Yes, it had life  lessons throughout the book but it was also funny and enjoyable. Can you imagine going in and taking over a stranger’s life? Read this book and than you can say you have done it! I really enjoyed reading this one and once I started I couldn't stop!

Cover: Love it Love her sunglasses, very catching! Also love the colors and the way its faded out.

What I'd Give It:

Thursday, July 5

Once by Anna Carey

Once by Anna Carey
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 368


Summary: Sixteen years have passed since a deadly virus wiped out most of the Earth’s population. After learning of the terrifying part she and her classmates were fated to play in the rebuilding of New America, eighteen-year-old Eve fled to the wilds and Califia, a haven for women determined to live outside the oppressive rule of the king of New America. However, her freedom came at a price: she was forced to leave Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. Eve quickly learns that Califia may not be as safe as it seems and soon finds herself in the City of Sand and the palace of the king. There she uncovers the real reason he was so intent on her capture, and the unbelievable role he intends her to fill. When she is finally reunited with Caleb, they will enact a plan as daring as it is dangerous. But will Eve once again risk everything—her freedom, her life—for love?

Brimming with danger and star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo and Juliet

My Thoughts: Oh, how I enjoyed this book just like I did Eve. It's going to be very hard to review, so if you haven't read Eve, beware and go away from this review.

We are back with Eve whom at the end of book one finally made it to  Califia . The little sanctuary where people go to get away from the confinements of the city and the schools. Everyone takes care of themselves and helps out with daily chores and the life inside Califa. Only women are accepted so everyone else is refused. Caleb is refused.

I still love Eve's personality. Yes at time she seems like she's really love struck and its instant love between her and Caleb, but so what, it seems like they actually share a bond and get each other.

Eve is living her life when Arden shows up. Remember, Arden is the girl from Eve who Eve was traveling with.  Arden and Eve are enjoying each other when they find out Caleb is alive and he is out there hurt. They go after him and they get captured. Eve is taken to the King where she finds out she is not who she thought she was. Not even close. He doesn't want her to bare his children, say what?

Eve is thrown into this new world, this new life, without the boy she truly loves and into the arms of a new suitor named Charles. Charles seems like he is a nice enough guy but he's no Caleb.

Eve and Caleb sneak around and Eve has a plan to escape, until that plan goes awry. That's all I'm going to say. In Once, we find out Eve's real background and how she plays in all this. The ending was very frustrating for me. I'm not sure if it will change and things aren't what we believe them to be or not.  A lot of betrayals, and secret alliances take place in Once.  It's hard to tell who to trust really.

The battle has just begin and Eve is right smack in the middle of it. She has to fight for her life.

Overall: Oh gosh. I love this series but each book ends on a major cliffhanger and I am so frustrated waiting on the next book. What is going to happen to Eve and Caleb, can it be true? And what about Charles?  And the King? Why is he such a jerk? LOL.

Cover: Love it! I love how she is standing there once again, and all the beautiful colors.

What I’d Give It:

 

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