Evernight

Title: Evernight

Author: Claudia Gray

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Publisher: Harper Teen

Publication Date: June 1st 2008

Hardcover: 327 pages

Summary:

She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him.

"I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you," he tells Bianca, "and eventually they would." 

But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

Book Review:

I know Evernight has been out for awhile, but I need some book to review while I wait for new ones. It has also been awhile since I last read Evernight, sorry if this isn't one of my better posts.  

Anyway, Evernight is the first book in a series of four books, so far. It is also the debut novel for Claudia Gray. Evernight is an amazing first book about first love and vampires.

In Evernight, you follow a character by the name of Bianca. Throughout the book she struggles to fit in where it is cut into two easily defined groups. Because Bianca is in-between, she is left without any friends. It is after a half-hearted attempt to escape from Evernight, that Bianca meets Lucas. Out there in the woods they seem to click, but when they return to school Lucas acts like he doesn't want anything to do with Bianca. Slowly, but surely they become friends though. Sadly nothing ever is as it seems. Everyone is hiding something, the question is what and what will it do to Lucas and Bianca's relationship. 

Evernight has a dark overtone throughout the book. It adds menace, unease, and for me a sense of mystery. I really liked the storyline even it was a little slow to start. I'm not saying that I didn't like the beginning though. Because I think I actually liked the beginning a little bit more than the rest of the book, but I don't know. I really think that Lucas and Bianca had chemistry. It is hard to find a book that has actual chemistry between the characters. For a lot of the books the characters are suffering from lust. The characters were also a big part of why I liked this book. Bianca was so sweet and lovable. Lucas was protective and secretive. Patrice was kinda nice at times. Vic was funny, and ect. I really can't go into much more detail or I would give away part of the story and I don't want to spoil such a good book. Oh, by the way people should know that not all your questions will be answered in Evernight. Of course the love story  was kinda annoying though for me. At times it's okay, but I don't normally enjoy the love story part of books. I put up with it, but I don't enjoy it. Overall a solid book. And may I say that it is annoying when people compare this is Twilight, because Evernight is way better than Twilight. 

Rating: A

Notable Quotes:

"Self-knowledge is better than self-control any day," Raquel said firmly. "And I know myself well enough to know how I act around cookies." 

"It’s funny—when people call you “shy,” they usually smile. Like it’s cute, some funny little habit you’ll grow out of when you’re older, like the gaps in your grin when your baby teeth fall out. If they knew how it felt—really being shy, not just unsure at first—they wouldn’t smile. Not if they knew how the feeling knots up your stomach or makes your palms sweat or robs you of the ability to say anything that 

makes sense. It’s not cute at all." 

"The silence between us stretched out, but it wasn't awkward. Sometimes there are people you can be quiet with, and you never feel the need to fill the gap with meaningless chit-chat. I'd only become that close to a couple people in my hometown, and I'd always thought it took years. Lucas and I were already there. "

"I apologized to her once for spending less time with her, but she blew it off. "You're in love. That makes you actually kind of boring to people who aren't in love. You know, the sane ones." 

"You're impossible," he murmured. "But you're worth it." 

Both Stargazer and Hourglass are already out.

Afterlife comes out March 8, 2011.

House of Night: Tempted

Sorry about the pics they aren't mounting up no matter what I try. Or at least some of them.

P.C Cast, co-author of the House of Night series, and author of various
other books. Kristin Cast, co-author of the House of Night series.

Title: Tempted

Authors: Kristin + P.C Cast

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Publisher: ATOM

Publication Date: October 2009

Paperback: 336

Summary: Zoey needs a break after some serious excitement. Sadly, the House of Night school for vampyres doesn't feature breaks on its curriculum - even for a High Priestess in training and her gang. Plus juggling three guys is no stress reliever, especially when one is a sexy Warrior so into protecting Zoey that he's sensing her emotions. Wider stresses lurk too, and the dark force in Tulsa's tunnels is spreading. Could Stevie Rae be responsible for more than a group of misfit fledglings? And Aphrodite's visions warn Zoey to stay away from the immortal Kalona and his dark allure - but they also show that only Zoey can stop him. She's not exactly keen to meet up, but if Zoey doesn't go to Kalona he'll exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. She just has to find the courage to do what's necessary, or everything that's important to her will be 

destroyed.

Book Review:

Although it was annoying at times I liked this book a lot. This is one of those books where it just comes down to the person. It makes reviewing it hard because you don't want to tell someone to go and read it, and have them hate it. Actually the last three books are either my least favorite, or favorite books in the series. I don't know why, but I can't seem to decide. It is interesting to read the different character's point of views. I especially like Stevie Rae's when she made her imprint. I was upset when Heath got killed. I was really rooting for him. He is sweet, and he was there for Zoe from the beginning. Although I like Stark too. I am beginning to not really like Zoe that much anymore. She instead of growing, and maturing seems to be becoming more annoying by each book. Yeah she has a lot of problems, but lately she's kinda been acing like a slut. Besides all that I liked how Stark is so devoted to Zoe, and the new setting of this book. Overall I enjoyed this book, but I can't promise anything.

Rating: A-

Notable Quotes:

"Hey, which one of them is supposed to be your boyfriend?” Stark 

asked me. Even in the terrible shape he was in, he caught my glance 

with his. His voice was scratchy, and he sounded scarily weak, but 

his eyes sparkled with humor. 

I am!” Heath and Erik said together." 

"How will it ever be bearable, Priestess?” His voice was rough. He sounded completely broken. 

“You’ll see her again. She’s with Nyx now. She’ll either wait for you in the Goddess’s meadow, or she’ll be reborn and her soul will find you again during this lifetime. You can bear it because you know that spirit never really ends-we never really end. "

"We are all affected by our pasts, but it is within our power not to let what we have done to dictate what we will do." 

"There is a deep power in words that speak the truth

"I've loved you for as long as I can remember, and I'm going to love you for the rest of my life." 

"When you make mistakes, whether they are from this life or another, learn from them- then they become opportunities" 

"A double-edged sword 

One side destroys
One releases
I am your Gordian knot
Will you release or destroy me?
Follow truth and you shall:
Find me on water
Purify me through fire
Trapped by earth nevermore
Air will whisper to you
What spirit already knows:
That even shattered
anything is possible
If you believe
Then we shall both be free." 

  

Blue Bloods

Melissa de la Cruz, author of the Blue Bloods series, and various other books

Series Title: Blue Bloods
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher:

Blue Bloods Summary: 
When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart; they were not escaping religious persecution. Indeed, they were not even human. They were vampires.The vampires assimilated quickly into the New World. Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society. 
The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries. But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out. Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes instead of the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates, and she lives with her reclusive grandmother in a dilapated mansion. Schuyler is a loner...and happy that way. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw food and she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a popular girl from her school is found dead... drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesn't know what to think, but she wants to find out the secrets the Blue Bloods are keeping. But is she herself in danger? 

 Masquerade Summary:

Schuyler Van Alen wants an explanation for the mysterious deaths of young vampires. With her best friend, Oliver, Schuyler travels to Italy in the hope of finding the one man who can help—her grandfather. Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the Four Hundred Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by the city's wealthy, powerful, and unhuman—a true Blue Blood affair.

But it's at the after-party, a masquerade ball thrown by the cunning Mimi Force, that the real danger lurks. Hidden behind the masks is a revelation that will forever change the course of a young vampire's destiny.

Revelations Summary:

Have you ever wondered what secrets lurk behind the closed doors of New York City's wealthiest families? They're powerful, they're famous... they're undead.

Schuyler Van Alen's blood legacy has just been called into question--is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force.

When one of the Gates of Hell is breached by Silver Bloods in Rio de Janeiro, however, the Blue Bloods will need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high; the battle is bloody; and through it all, Carnavale rages on. And in the end, one vampire's secret identity will be exposed in a revelation that shocks everyone.

The Van Alen Legacy Summary:

With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged.

Series Review: 
I read these books a couple of months or so ago. I might not remember everything about them, so I apologize.
Anyway I really liked these books. It's like historical fiction meets vampires, and something else, I can't remember the word. They were fun to read, fast-paced, and are set in New York and Venice.  Though I have never been to either New York or Venice it was fun anyway to read some books set there. Schuyler Van Alen has never fit in with the upperclass and is surprised that she is invited to be a part of the Committee a exclusive social group. What she doesn't know is that the Committee is made up of vampires only. Schuyler gets dragged into the world of vampires when she discovers that she herself is one, and that vampires have been among the upperclass for    
a very long time. Schuyler learns about her family secrets and the mystery of the Blue Bloods. Masquerade reveals the mystery to the deaths of the young Blue Bloods. Though it leaves even more questions about Silver Bloods and the relationship between the families and Schuyler's mother. 

In Revelations there is a tone of Gossip Girl to it. In Revelations       Schuyler and the others travel in Venice where there is a gate that is in danger of being breached. Schuyler and Jack's relationship which was flourishing comes into question. I didn't really like Revelations, towards the end I got kinda lost, but it was okay. The Van Alen Legacy was okay, but I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. I had such high expectations, but sadly it didn't live up to them. Overall a pretty good series.


Rating: B+


Notable Quotes:
"Black is the color of night. White is the true color of death"


"I don't need anything to get high. I'm high on life."


"He's too much for Schuyler. They're wrong for each other. Anyone can see that. 
And when he leaves her, I'll be there.
However long it takes, I'll still be there for her. Waiting."  


"White for light. White for love. White for forever." 


"Never trust a shiny surface. They hide a multitude of flaws." 


"A brain with no heart and no reasoning ... well, nothing is more meaningless." 


"Schuyler pulled Oliver close and hugged him tightly. "Thank you," she whispered. Thank you for loving me enough to let me go." 








  

Den of Shadows

  

 Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, author of the Den of Shadows series,
 and various other books.

Series Title: Den of Shadows

Author: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Publisher: Laurel Leaf

In the Forest of the Night Summary: 

In the Forests of the Night is a lush, moody tale of vampires, witches, and shape-shifters. It's the story of how one female vampire comes to terms with her inner nature and reclaims her rightful powers.

Demon in my view Summary:

Jessica Allodola, much like the author who created her, is a high school student and published novelist. But Jessica's literary bent remains unknown, since her highly popular vampire tales are published under the pseudonym Ash Night. It's just as well: Jessica's classmates tend to shun her, poke fun at her, and talk about her behind her back, even while they're buying her books in droves. There is something about Jessica that just naturally makes people want to turn away. It's not her looks -- her dark hair, green eyes, and lithe body make an attractive package. No, it's something else, something indefinable but palpable. 

For the most part, Jessica has come to terms with her lot in life. Though she tends to be defensively antagonistic at times, in general she just keeps to herself. Even her adoptive mother can't break the barriers Jessica has built around herself. But then two new students show up at her high school, and interest in Jessica is suddenly running high. The first new student is Caryn Rashida, a young woman whose interest in Jessica isn't quite what it seems. The second new student is far more disturbing, at least to Jessica. His name is Alex Remington, and he's devilishly handsome and so charming that all the girls seem to be swooning. But he has his eye set on Jessica, who finds him very attractive but disturbingly similar to one of the main characters in her novel, a young vampire named Aubrey. 

As Alex and Jessica cross paths with a frequency that is more than coincidental, Jessica begins to note other similarities between Alex and Aubrey; certain traits that only she is aware of because they are included in her latest manuscript, a manuscript no one has read but her. She begins to wonder if the story in her vampire novel is somehow coming true. As Jessica explores the ever-blurring lines between fiction and reality, things take a decidedly violent and dark turn. When Jessica finally learns the real truth, she will be forced to make some difficult decisions that may well end her life. 

Shattered Mirror Summary:

Sarah Vida is a witch and a vampire hunter — and a loner. Christopher Ravena is a vampire trying to pass as a normal high school student who wants to know Sarah better. Drawn to him despite her better judgment, Sarah’s forced to admit that there’s room for gray in her otherwise black-and-white world of good versus evil — until she meets Nikolas, Christopher’s twin and one of the most hunted vampires in history.

Midnight Predator Summary:

Though she was once a happy teenager with a wonderful family and a full life, Turquoise Draka is now a hunter. In a deadly world of vampires, shapeshifters, and mercenaries, she’ll track any prey if the price is right. Her current assignment: to assassinate Jeshikah, one of the cruelest vampires in history. Her employer: an unknown contact who wants the job done fast. Her major obstacle: she’ll have to hide her strength and enter Midnight, a fabled vampire realm, as a human slave. 

Book Review:

I really liked this series. It was a good solid series. Not amazing or anything but good. My favorite books in this series would have to be Shattered Mirror and Midnight Predator. I thought that over the course of the series the books got better. Overall it was a pretty good series. I was surprised that I liked this series considering that three out of the four books were practically love stories. Normally I wouldn't like books like these, but I liked them anyways. This series was a unique one. I liked how this series is unlike any other that I have ever read. Overall a solid series. Only one "bad" book out of four. Thats pretty good. Especially considering that they were written by a high school student.


Rating: B+

LJ Smith

LJ Smith the writer of the Night World, Vampire Diaries, Secret Circle, Dark Visions, and Forbidden Game series. I understand that these books have been out for awhile and that these are the reprints, but they came out awhile ago and I wasn't reading yet when they were published originally. 

The Night World series. This is the second series that I read that had to do with vampires and other supernatural creatures. I loved the love stories and how each of them was from a different point of view. Like some of them are from the female, human point of view. While others are from the female, witch point of view. LJ Smith is an amazing writer and I can't wait for the reprint of Strange Fate to come out.

The Vampire Diaries is another one of my favorite series. About a year ago this series was made into into tv show. I loved the love triangle of Elena, Damon, and Stefan in this series. I liked how Damon was the brooding bad guy who could also be really pretty kind. I liked the Return addition to the series. I like how Damon really gets to show who he really is. My favorite character would have to be Elena. She is strong, kind, caring, and can be annoying though. She has her flaws but it makes her more believable. I wish that she was kinder to Matt though. He was a reliable friend and she doesn't really treat him well. The TV show isn't bad. I normally hate it when they make a movie or show based on a series of books because it normally ruins them for me. This time though I thought that the TV show took on a life of it's own. It is no longer the Vampires Diaries like the books but a different version of the Vampire Diaries. I can't wait for the newest edition to this series, The Return: Midnight.

I haven't read this series, but I am planning to. Especially considering that LJ Smith is such a good write. I have high expectations for this series.

Again another good series by a great author. Kaitlyn is an amazing character. I like how she is the odd one and that she grows to be more sure of herself. That she finds love and someone who melts her ice cold heart. I love Gabriel who is just a misunderstood person. He is bitter and angry at the world for his misfortunes. He learns about what is good in the world and he finds love. Rob who starts how being so innocent of the world because of some accident that gave him his powers, he ends up falling in love but having it taken away too. With all that he stille understands that Kaitlyn loves Gabriel and he doesn't resent it. Rob takes this well and keeps his fairly positive out look on life. Rob and Gabriel are like two different sides of a coin. Rob is good, light, and he heals people. Gabriel is bitter, angry, and he takes hua. Mr. Zetes is an amazing antagonist and I like how Joyce and Mr. Zetes's daughter end up seeing that what they are doing is wrong and turning on Mr. Zetes. Overall I loved the plot and the writing was really good.

Another great series. I like how the antagonist of this series ends up giving his "life" to make sure they all get away. I also loved Jenny. She was sweet and strong. She was pure and good in a way that no one really is. I didn't like her boyfriend though. It seemed more like he would take advantage of her and that he was too sure of himself in the beginning. I love how the series is kicked off with a strange game store and a game that sends them into the shadowland in which they have to conquer their fears or die. It's kind of melodramatic.

House of Night: Burned

Tittle: Burned
Author: P.C Cast + Kristin Cast
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: ATOM
Publication Date: April 2010
Paperback: 323


Summary: Zoey Redbird is the youngest High Priestess in House of Night history and is the only person – vamp or fledgling – that can stop the evil Neferet from raising all kinds of immortal trouble. And she might just have a chance if she wasn’t so busy being dead.
Well, dead is too strong a word. Stevie Rae knows she can bring her BFF back from her unscheduled va-cay in the Otherworld. But it’s going to take a lot more than hoping to bring Zoey back. Stevie Rae will have to give up a few secrets of her own . . . 


Book Review: Another great addition to the House of Night series. When Kalona kills Heath and Kalona, Zoe, and Heath go to the Otherworld things keep getting worse. Neferet is getting closer and closer to her goal. Stevie Rae may not be the most trustworthy person anymore, or is she. Stevie Rae is very loyal ut she has dark secrets that may change that. Burned is an amazing book and I had to finish in one reading. I loved the romance the action and especially Stevie Rae's point of view. I liked how she made an unlikely friendship with the "enemy". I loved the description of the Otherworld. I liked how Zoe had to come to terms with the death of her best friend Heath. I thought that it made her more relatable. Heath had to learn to let go and do what was better for Zoe, not what she wanted. His struggle of what to do, was written well and was believable. Of course I loved Stark, he is willing to risk his life and do what many other warrior's have done for their high priestess'. Seeing some of the events from Stevie Rae's point of view was also very important, I really thought that it made the book better. Though at some times it kind of annoyed me. Overall this book was pretty good. It was debatably the best or second worst book in the series. I both loved it and kinda hated it. Weird huh?


Rating: A-


Quotes: These quotes aren't necessarily from Burned, but from the series.

"Last time I saw you, I said that it hurt too much to love you. But I was wrong about that. The truth is it hurts too much not to love you.

~Heath"
"As your girlfriend, you've just pissed me off. As your High Priestess, you've just insulted me. And as someone with a working brain, you've made me wonder if you've lost every bit of your sense." 

Hey, which one of them is supposed to be your boyfriend?” Stark
asked me. Even in the terrible shape he was in, he caught my glance
with his. His voice was scratchy, and he sounded scarily weak, but
his eyes sparkled with humor.

I am!” Heath and Erik said together." 

Kristin Cast, c0-author of the House of Night Series.




P.C Cast, co-author of the House of Night Series. She has written various other books as well.

Morganville Vampires: Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

Title: Glass Houses

Author: Rachel Caine

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: NAL Jam

Publication Date: October 2006

Paperback: 248 pages

Series or not: a 11+ book series

Summary: Claire Danvers is a freshman at college in Morganville, Texas.  It’s an unprestigious college in equally unprestgious small college town.  Clever and geeky, Claire never expected to fit in with the in-crowd of fashionable and popular girls but when she inadvertently makes an enemy of the clique’s leader Monica, she had no idea how bad things would get. 

Unable to stay in the dorm, Claire looks for off-campus accommodation and answers an advert in the paper for a room-to-let in a creepy old shared house.  Accepted into the house, she finally feels like she is making some real friends, even if they are a little odd.

Firstly, there is Michael the owner of the house, he’s only eighteen and a complete night owl.  In fact, nobody has ever seen him during the day.  Ever. Eve, a Goth girl who works at the local coffee shop and is a fellow roommate in the Glass House swears that Michael’s okay and is not a vampire and she would know because she’s checked….  Although, she also claims that Morganville is a town run by vampires, so she could just be crazy. Finally, there is Shane.  He’s eighteen and although he doesn’t seem to do anything much all day apart from make chilli and kill zombies whilst playing computer games, Claire thinks he’s totally cool.

Her new roommates are the best thing about living in Morganville because, as it turns out, Eve isn’t crazy and the town is run by vampires.  In Morganville you have two choices - you either work for the vampires and have their protection or you are fair game.

When Monica says she’s going to see Claire dead, she really means it.  Luckily Claire’s new friends have her back and they hatch a plan to deal with the vampires and help her stay alive. 

However, Morganville is a town full of secrets and some of the roommates have secrets of their own…

**WARNING THERE MAY BE SPOILERS**


Book Review: Morganville: A town ruled by vampires.

Clair: A girl who has the bad luck to go to college in Morganville

Eve: A native to Morganville with two idiot parents and a fugitive little brother.

Michael: A ghost who had the bad luck to have a vampire try to turn him also he is a musician and the owner of the Glass house.

Shane: A native to Morganville who escape with his life, but had the stupid idea to come back.

Mix them all together and you have a great book called GLASS HOUSES.

I absolutely loved this book. There was just enough action to balance out the little romance. I loved the main character Clair. I thought that she was somewhat grown up and that she had a fairly good attitude. I really liked Clair’s “roommates” Eve, Michael, and Shane. I liked Eve because she had a tough kick #@!! (I don’t like to cuss) attitude. Michael, I like his personality overall and that he is so great with people. I liked Shane because he is the step in for an older brother but also something more. I also liked that he is so protective and that he has a set, set of beliefs that he does not change ever pretty much. Oh, and I thought that Rachel Cain did a good job with the actual writing and crafting of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes vampire books of course, some action, and a little romance (but there isn’t that much).

Rating: a solid A

Rachel Caine, author of Morganville Vampires.