Review: Saved, by Allegra Skye

Saved (The Shadow Vampires #1)

In SAVED (Book #1 of the Shadow Vampires), Keira and Amanda, twins, move with their family to a new town, and start their senior year at a new high school. But though they are twins, the girls have different fates. Amanda, beautiful, popular, is sought out by everyone. Keira, who has always lived in Amanda's shadow, is smaller, awkward, different. Even her mother, who is so close to Amanda, doesn't know what to make of her other daughter. Keira turns to books, and to her journal, for solace, and to find out about other worlds.

Amanda makes friends easily at the new school, and quickly finds a boyfriend, while Keira is left alone, an outsider. But very quickly, it is clear that something strange is going on in Everstock. The town and the school are very divided. The popular, rich kids act as if they own the school and have nothing to do with the other kids, who are poorer and live in a different part of town. Not only are the kids meaner here, but an unknown infection has gripped the town, with more and more people going to the hospital. Something here is terribly wrong.

But things change suddenly, as there is a terrible accident involving the twins. Not only are Keira and Amanda's lives changed forever, but a new dimension of life begins to open to Keira.

As Keira recovers, she begins to change in ways she can't expect, receiving new and mysterious powers that no one can possibly understand. At the same time, a gorgeous, mysterious new boy, Cooper, appears at the school, who grips her imagination, and who refuses to tell her what secret he is hiding.

As Keira and Cooper grow closer to each other, it soon becomes apparent that destiny has brought them together-and that they may each have to sacrifice it all if they want to stay together... (From GoodReads)

My Review
Saved is the story of Keira, a high school senior adjusting to life in a new town. Burdened with a family who doesn’t understand her, Keira struggles to assimilate to their new life. Amanda, the more popular, glamorous twin, quickly leaves Amanda behind. With no one to truly connect with, Keira feels totally alone. While Keira is trying to adjust, the town is being taken over by an unexplained infection, leaving the patients with puncture wounds on the neck. After Keira and Amanda are involved in a tragic accident, Keira is able to hear people’s thoughts and develops an inner strength she has never known before. As she’s trying to adjust to her new abilities, Kiera falls under the spell of the handsome and to mysterious Cooper, who obviously harbors dangerous secrets.
To be honest, I was unable to fully connect to Saved. Some of the major plot points did not feel fully fleshed out. For example, the mysterious infection. We first learn about this when Keira’s father, a physician, brings up the subject at home. Other than the few times its discussed amongst the two, not a lot happens with that subject. I thought that the infection could have had more depth within the story. Another plot point that felt lacking was Keira’s new abilities. After an accident, Keira is able to hear thoughts and has a new found inner strength. But, it’s never explained. The closest that’s given to an answer was from Cooper, who said, basically, I don’t know what you are, but you’re not human. That’s it. Maybe the answers to these questions will be in a sequel. If that’s the case, great. But I prefer when a book answers at least some of the questions that come up.
Another problem I had was the relationship between Cooper and Keira. This is a relationship gave me just did not work for me. Keira practically falls in love with Cooper after seeing him walk across campus, then in the cafeteria. Then, she’s declaring to herself that there will never be anyone else for her after speaking to him only a few times. I’m not saying that there can’t be a scenario where the characters quickly fall in love, but give me a reason. These characters barely spoke to one another.
I will say that I did like Keira. While she could get a little on the whiny side, I was always rooting for her. She definitely became a more engaging character after she started using her new abilities to her advantage.  And, a sequel that answered the questions raised in Saved would definitely be more satisfying.
You can check out Saved (Shadow Vampires #1) at GoodReads.

*I was given a copy of Saved by the author, in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: Red Fox, by Karina Halle

Red Fox (Experiment in Terror #2)

With Book Two of the Experiment in Terror Series, Perry Palomino and Dex Foray trade in the stormy Oregon coast for the unforgiving deserts of New Mexico.

In the for­got­ten town of Red Fox, a Navajo cou­ple is tor­tured by things unseen and by motives unknown. Wild ani­mals slink through their house in the dark, a bar­rage of stones pound their roof nightly, and muti­lated sheep car­casses are turn­ing up on their prop­erty. Armed with a cam­era and just enough to go on, Perry and Dex travel to the des­o­late locale, hop­ing to film the super­nat­ural occur­rences and add cred­i­bil­ity to their flail­ing web­cast. Only their show has a lot more work­ing against them than just grow­ing pains. Tested by dubi­ous ranch hands, a ghost from Dex’s past, and shapeshift­ing decep­tion, the ama­teur ghost hunters must learn to trust each other in order to fight the most ancient of myths…or die trying. (From GoodReads)

My Review

I’ve made it abundantly clear that I loved Book 1 in the Experiment in Terror series, Darkhouse.  Because I felt so strongly about that book, I was a little nervous to get started on Book 2, Red Fox. Crises averted, because I loved Red Fox even more (if that’s possible)!

In Red Fox, New Mexico, Perry and Dex, struggling to save their show, search amongst old Navajo traditions and legends to find the truth. Karina Halle did an amazing job giving the visualization for the scenery. The arid desert, the harsh climate, all felt impossible alive.  I felt a part of the story, as if I should be swiping the dust and grime off my own self.  The tension between the characters was palpable. I found myself squirming through the tense moments right along with Perry.

In Red Fox, author Karina Halle expanded beautifully upon the characters she created in Darkhouse. We,the readers, are given more insights into what makes Perry and Dex tick. In this book, Dex becomes a more vulnerable, open character. Through Max, an old friend of Dex’s, Perry learns about his past, the tragic history that made him who he is today. Dex is still the same funny, slightly strange guy who we learned to love in Darkhouse.  He has an alluring quality that draws you in, hoping you can “fix” him. Then in the next moment, says something so bizarre or off-putting, it sends you hurtling straight back to Earth.
Perry, the same self-deprecating, sarcastic, and captivating girl we met in Darkhouse. Besides dealing with her strange new path, she must also contend with her condescending parents, who have little faith (or knowledge) in what she’s doing. But, as a character, she comes more into her own in Red Fox. She becomes more assertive, gaining confidence and assurance in her abilities and decisions. She still has an insane ability to get herself into ridiculous situations. And now she is stuck in the middle of the desert with Dex, hoping he won’t come unhinged.

As suspenseful as the paranormal activity they are dealing with is, that has nothing on the sexual suspense between Dex and Perry. The magnetism between them is bananas. In Red Fox, they are pushed closer than ever before. Sharing a room, sharing a bed. Not only must they fight for the survival of their lives, I’m not so sure their hearts will survive. This couple is driving me insane, in a good way. I am praying for a spectacular payoff in the end! I truly expect them to just literally attack each other one day, hopefully soon.

I don’t think, short of being completely ridiculous, I can encourage you more strongly to read this series. It has quickly moved to the top of my favorites list. This book left me dying. I want to read Book 3, Dead Sky Morning, now. Lucky for me, I get an ARC of Dead Sky morning within the next month.  This blog will also be hosting a giveaway for the first three books in the Experiment in Terror series, courtesy of Karina Halle, the astoundingly cool author of the series. 
You can find my review for Darkhouse (Experiments in Terror #1) here.
You can learn more about the Experiments in Terror series and Karina Halle at the series website.
You can find the book (and add to your TBR list) at GoodReads.

*I received Red Fox from the author, in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: Darkhouse (Experiment in Terror #1)

Darkhouse (Experiment in Terror #1)



There’s always been something a bit off about Perry Palomino. Though she’s been dealing with a quarter-life crisis and post-college syndrome like any other twenty-something, she’s still not what you would call “ordinary.” For one thing, there’s her past which she likes to pretend never happened, and then there’s the fact that she sees ghosts. Luckily for her, that all comes in handy when she stumbles across Dex Foray, an eccentric producer for an upcoming webcast on ghost hunters. Even though the show’s budget is non-existent and Dex himself is a maddening enigma, Perry is instantly drawn into a world that both threatens her life and seduces her with a sense of importance. Her uncle’s haunted lighthouse provides the perfect catalyst and backdrop for a mystery that unravels the threads of Perry’s fragile sanity and causes her to fall for a man, who, like the most dangerous of ghosts, may not be all that he seems. (From GoodReads)

My Review

Have you ever heard the expression "book hangover"?  Well, for me, a book hangover happens when you find a book that completely consumes you. It is all you can think about, and you walk around in a stupor for a few days. Guess what? That happened to me when I read Darkhouse.

Darkhouse, when you read the synopsis, seems like a typical thriller. But it is so much more. It is creepy, funny (believe it or not), very suspenseful and yes, thrilling. While much of the book is about Perry, her new partner Dex, and their haunted encounters at the lighthouse, Darkhouse is just as much about the perplexing relationship between the troubled duo.

Perry, from the get-go, is easy to love. She's doesn't have the perfect body or life. After struggling with low self-esteem and drug use throughout her teenage years, she has gotten her life in order, for the most part. She still struggles with her self-esteem and then there's the fact that she sees ghosts. Is Perry "off" mentally or is it that she's able to see what most can not?

Then there's Dex. Almost every book I read has a guy who is a complete hottie. Very tall, very muscled, defined abs, etc. That's all great, but Dex feels more like a real man to me. He's described as having a very "90's" look. He's on the thin side, not especially tall. A slight moustache, dark eyes, arched brows and a eyebrow ring. His voice is low and smooth or growling, depending on his mood. He has eyes that seem able to see inside a person. He is quick with a smirk. Perry says he "reminds me of Robert Downey, Jr. in his strung-out drug days". Believe me, it works for him. Besides the looks, there's Dex's odd personality. He's just, strange. His thought are often all over the place, confusing Perry. His words often lull her into a sense of trust and security, then he says something to totally screw the moment up. But, underneath the smirk and harsh words, there's a hint of a fragile man with a troubled past of his own.

Honestly, the driving force of the story is the relationship between Perry and Dex. The paranormal aspect of the story is gripping. Truly. But the collision of the two forces is what is electrifying. The relationship is antagonistic. Perry and Dex each seem determined to get under the other's skin. Say what will set the other on edge, or off the edge. They are cut from the same cloth. In many ways, each is a mirror of the other. I'm dying to see where the author, Karina Halle, takes their relationship in the future.

Speaking of Halle, the lady has knocked my socks off! She took Darkhouse, what could have been your typical scary book with snarky characters, and breathed life into it. This book has heart. Characters you want to see through to the very end. There are going to be a total of eight books in the Experiment in Terror series. I will most definitely read each and every one. I will be reviewing Book Two, Red Fox, later this week.

I love when a book has phrases that capture my attention. Darkhouse has many. Here are a few I want to share.

"Somehow, by dealing with the dead, I had never felt so alive." Chapter 11

" "How come you aren't afraid?'... 'Because I find life to be scarier to than death,' he replied matter-of -    
    factly." -Chapter 12

"A handsome, beguiling man whose eyes read your very soul and whose smirk held you in contempt."
 Chapter 16

You can learn more about the Experiment in Terror series, (including links to buy the books, info about author Karina Halle) at the Experiment in Terror website.


*I was given Darkhouse by the author, in exchange for an honest review.*

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On"  Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking  the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week we're waiting on~

The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies #2)



I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.

And I'm ready to fight. (From GoodReads)

Why we love this book: Book 1, I Am Number Four was an adventurous, tragic and fun book to read. I loved the movie, too. I really hope this book includes Numbers Four and Six because they were pretty badass and, well, if I'm honest, I want to visualize Alex Pettyfer while I'm reading the book. (Even though he's tragically too young for me!)

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others!

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles!

My Teaser is from Red Fox, Book 2 in the Experiment in Terror series, by Karina Halle. When I was asked to read/review Red Fox and Book 1, Darkhouse, I had no idea my world was about to be rocked. I can't tell you how much I love this series and can not wait to read book 3, Dead Sky Morning.

Red Fox (Experiment in Terror #2)

With Book Two of the Experiment in Terror Series, Perry Palomino and Dex Foray trade in the stormy Oregon coast for the unforgiving deserts of New Mexico.

In the for­got­ten town of Red Fox, a Navajo cou­ple is tor­tured by things unseen and by motives unknown. Wild ani­mals slink through their house in the dark, a bar­rage of stones pound their roof nightly, and muti­lated sheep car­casses are turn­ing up on their prop­erty. Armed with a cam­era and just enough to go on, Perry and Dex travel to the des­o­late locale, hop­ing to film the super­nat­ural occur­rences and add cred­i­bil­ity to their flail­ing web­cast. Only their show has a lot more work­ing against them than just grow­ing pains. Tested by dubi­ous ranch hands, a ghost from Dex’s past, and shapeshift­ing decep­tion, the ama­teur ghost hunters must learn to trust each other in order to fight the most ancient of myths…or die trying. (From GoodReads)


A little background: the main characters Perry and Dex, have serious chemistry. Dex is technically Perry's boss and has a girlfriend back at home. Perry is way into Dex, but they both have tons of baggage. Dex has just patched Perry up after she was injured and they've had an intense few moments.

Here's my teaser:

"And with that he was gone, I was alone again in the bathroom, my wounds cleaned but my mind more infected than ever."

This series has quickly become a favorite. Check back later this week for my reviews of Darkhouse and Red Fox.

You can learn more about the Experiments in Terror series and author Karina Halle here.

Summer Giveaway Hop

This hop is hosted by Kathy at I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Mary at BookHounds.
Over 300 blogs are participating in book-related giveaways. We are all linked together so that you may hop from one blog to the next. The hop runs from Monday, August 1 through Sunday, August 7, 2011.

I have a great giveaway for you! There will be 1 winner.

Giveaway
The winner will receive 1 book of their choice (up to $15 value) at The Book Depository.

Giveaway Details
To enter this giveaway, you must follow this blog and fill out the form below. 
You can earn an +1 entry for tweeting the giveaway.  
Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm, August 7, 2011.
                                                                                                                            

Review: When Tommy Adams Burned the World: Part 1 Into the Province

"When Tommy Adams Burned The World: Part 1, Into The Province" is the first part in a six part series.

Follow the adventure of Tommy Adams, a boy with magical powers, dropped into the fantastical land of The Province. Chased by zombie pirates, an alchemist and the fairy prince's Knight and his page, Tommy has to figure out why the Daemons that own his soul have sent him there all the while staying two steps ahead of everyone.

For readers 12 and up.



My Thoughts


When Tommy Adams Burned the World is part one in a six-part series of short stories by Timothy Nies. In the Prologue, we are introduced to Mr. Fate. His job, I think, is to collect souls. Mr. Fate, all though evil, was a wickedly delcious character to read. He is arrogant, snobbish. Mr. Fate, comes to collect a new soul, an infant. Turns out, that infant is his great-nephew, Tommy. When Mr. Fate learns this, his cool facade drops. But he is clearly not the man in charge and once he is reminded of that, he completes his job.

Once the story begins, we are re-introduced to Tommy Adams, on his fourteenth birthday. A little backstory tells us that he has not had an easy road. As it happens, when Mr. Fate took Tommy from his parents, he allowed them to bargain for Tommy's upbringing. Each year of his life, a new clause is enacted on his birthday. On his fourteenth birthday, the clause states that he will receive the finest education man or demon can offer. Happy to enact the clause, Mr. Fate sends Tommy on his way, Into the Province.  Once in the Province, Tommy quickly encounters amazing new characters. As the story ends, Tommy has realized he must think, and move, fast if he is going to survive in the Province.

My first thought was...this is a really cool concept. Part One was a perfect, bite-sized nugget of fantastic storytelling. At only 55 pages, I zoomed through the story in no time. Tommy is an engaging young boy who is easy to root for. I was definitely left wanting for more.

Timothy Nies, the author, sent me a few illustrations of Mr. Fate.  So talented! So cool!






Part One: When Tommy Adams Burned the World at  Amazon.
You can learn more about the author, Timothy Nies and Tommy Adams at The Majitorium website.

*I received a copy of this story from the author, in exchange for an honest review.*