Review ~ Existence by Abbi Glines

What happens when you are stalked by Death? You fall in love with him of course. Pagan Moore doesn’t cheat Death, instead, she falls in love with him.

Seventeen year old Pagan Moore, has seen souls her entire life. Once she realized the strangers she often saw walking through walls were not visible to anyone else, she started ignoring them. If she didn’t let them know she could see them, they left her alone. Until she steps out of her car on the first day of school and sees an incredibly sexy guy lounging on a picnic table, watching her with an amused smirk on his face. Problem is, she knows he's dead. Not only does he not go away, when she ignores him he does something none of the others have ever done; he speaks. Pagan is fascinated by the soul. What Pagan doesn’t realize is that her appointed time to die is drawing near and the wickedly beautiful soul she is falling in love with is not a soul. He is Death and he is about to break all the rules.~From GoodReads

If you have followed my reviews, you know that I love Abbi Glines' writing. When I learned she was venturing into the world of young adult paranormal, I was so excited to see what she had in store for her fans.

Existence was a cool, mysterious book. I say cool because Glines' books are always chock full of funny, endearing characters. Pagan was sweet, smart and a little sassy. A character you can get behind and root for. Her friends Miranda and Wyatt were there to lend comic relief, a must-have in my opinion. The two guys in Pagan's life, Death (or Dank, I don't know which name he likes to go by!)and Leif, both had swoon-worthy qualities, and both could be a little infuriating, also a necessity.

I don't think I'm being spoiler-ish (it's in the synopsis) when I say that obviously Pagan and Death (aka Dank) are the couple meant to be together. But honestly, I liked her with Leif just as well. He was a truly great guy, by all appearances.

As for the mystery, Existence has plenty of it. From the very opening, when Pagan notices a mysterious boy watching her, a Soul she can actually communicate with, to her trying to understand why he is in her life, his purpose, it's an intense ride. I'm still not quite sure I know what was going on! And, wow, I really would like to pick Glines' brain and get the answer to the biggest mystery of all, the VERY LAST LINE OF THE BOOK! That line is a real jaw-dropper that caught me out of the blue, didn't see it coming at all.

Existence is a solid beginning in what I am assuming will be a series, because with that type of ending, there has to be more. I can't wait to see what's will happen next.

Favorite Quote:
"Mr. Brown glanced up once more with a slightly annoyed expression on his face, 'Gentlemen, if one
 does not study the words of famous romantic poets how will one ever learn to woo the woman they
 will one day love? I can assure you that P Diddy has no words on instruction in his lyrical creations.' "

ebook

Expected publication: December 13th 2011 by Wild Child Publishing

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

In My Mailbox - #19

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is a great way to put a spotlight on books received during the past week.

Received in Trade:

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

13 Little Blue Envelopes  by Maureen Johnson

Bought:

Angelfire (Angelfire #1) by Courtney Allison Moulton

Personal Demons (Personal Demons #1) by Lisa Desrochers

Hushed by Kelley York

The Wild's Call (Aspect of Crow) by Jeri Smith-Ready

For Review:

Conquest by Vik Rubenfeld - Thanks to the author

The Fallen Queen (The House of Arkhangel'sk #1) by Jane Kindred -Thanks to Entangled Pub

Angelina's Secret by Lisa Rogers -Thanks to Spencer Hill Press

Pure (Covenant, #2) by Jennifer L Armentrout - Thanks to Spencer Hill Press

Leave a link so I can check out your mailbox.

Have a great week!

Giveaway ~ Beyond (The Afterlife #1) by P.T. Boje

I have a great giveaway for you guys! There will be FOUR winners, and the entry form is easy-peasy. But first, check out Beyond (The Academy) (The Academy) (Afterlife #1).

Have you ever wondered where you go when you die?
Meghan is 16 when it happens to her.
She wakes up on a flying steamboat on her way to a school run by Angels in a white marble castle.
It is a school everybody has to go to before they are let into Heaven.
On the boat she meets Mick who has been dead for more than a hundred years but still looks like a teenager. He helps her past the difficult beginning at the new school in a new world.
One day some of Meghan's roommates find a mirror in the cellar of the school and they persuade her to go through it with them - well knowing it is strictly against the rules of the school. Meghan ends up back on earth where she meets Jason. But Jason is in danger and Meghan know something important. Something that is a matter of life and death. Soon she is forced to choose between the two worlds. The one she belongs to now and the one she left.

Now for the giveaway! T.P. Boje  is giving away four copies of Beyond. There will be two signed paperback copies and two ebook copies of Beyond up for grabs.

To enter you must ~

• Fill out the form below.
• Be at least 13+ years of age.
• US or Intl residents can enter (ebooks will go to Intl winners).

The giveaway will run from December 10 - December 16, 2011 at 11:59 pm.

This giveaway has ended. The winners are:

SPNHeather (signed paperback)
Jessica B (signed paperback)
Laura Morales (ebook)
Krisz (ebook)

Congratulations!
But, before you enter, check out books two and three in the Afterlife series, Serenity and Endurance.

It is Meghan’s second year at The Academy.

While trying to help and care for Jason on earth she is struggling to keep up in school, where they this year will learn both to ride Pegasus’ and fly through severe storms. Meanwhile Mick is becoming more than a friend to her and soon she finds herself facing the unavoidable choice.
But something evil is threatening the students at the Academy and Meghan is no longer safe within the walls of the castle. Something causes several of the students to be caught in the middle of a nightmare, that they can’t wake up from.
Soon they realize that they might have a traitor in their midst.

Serenity is a Y/A paranormal romance. It is the second book in the Afterlife-series.

Meghan’s training at the Academy is coming to an end. Everything is going great for her as she comes closer to the graduation. She is engaged to be married and the wedding is very near when she hears some disturbing news that makes her rethink all of her coming life.
In class they are taught to catch dreams and fly with the speed of light. Meghan soon discovers that she has a lot of special talents and that she is much stronger than she thought. But unfortunately that doesn’t help her as she faces the truth about her own death which will be revealed to her at the end of the year.

Endurance is the third book in T. P. Boje’s Afterlife-series about a young girl’s life after death.

T. P. Boje is a mother of two, a stepmother of another two and a hardcore cartoon lover, Tim Burton enthusiast, and enjoys any movie the Coen Brothers have made (with the big Lebowski being her favorite strongly followed by Burn after Reading). She is also a writer of Y/A Paranormal Romance, fantasy and mystery. She is originally from Denmark but currently living in Florida, USA. Her books are translated into several languages.
To learn more follow her on Twitter, visit her fansite on Facebook or check out her web-page: http://www.tpboje.blogspot.com/

Mini Review ~ Laddertop, Volume 1 by Orson Scott Card, Emily Janice Card, Honoel A. Ibardolaza

An original science fiction manga by the bestselling author of Ender’s Game and his daughter


Twenty-five years ago, the alien Givers came to Earth. They gave the human race the greatest technology ever seen— four giant towers known as Ladders that rise 36,000 miles into space and culminate in space stations that power the entire planet. Then, for reasons unknown, the Givers disappeared. Due to the unique alien construction of the Laddertop space stations, only a skilled crew of children can perform the maintenance necessary to keep the stations up and running.

Back on Earth, competition is fierce to enter Laddertop Academy. It is an honor few students will achieve. Robbi and Azure, two eleven-year-old girls who are the best of friends, are candidates for the Academy. They will become entangled in a dangerous mystery that may help them solve the riddle of the Givers...if it doesn’t destroy the Earth first!

(From GoodReads)

I am no comic book/manga/gamer/sci-fi expert. At all. My comic book experience only goes back to the Archie comics and Garfield comic books.  So I don't know if I am especially qualified to review this book on a technical level. I don't know the lingo or definitions of what makes a book a comic or a graphic novel, or a manga. But I do know what I like and I'll base this mini-review on that.

When I started reading, I thought I would be lost. I felt the synopsis gave me enough of a base to go on and it did. I was able to immediately jump into the story. The illustrations were beautiful and did a fabulous job of telling the story, the characters were fun, and the story was interesting.

The actual reading time spent on Laddertop was one to two hours, tops. That speedy reading time made it a nice little palate cleanser, which isn't to say there was anything wrong with the book, only that it served as a change of pace for me.

Like I said, I'm not an expert on this genre, but if you enjoy a lively fast-paced story, Laddertop would surely fit that bill.

Paperback, 192 pages

Published September 27th 2011 by Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC

You can purchase Laddertop at:

 Barnes & Noble  |  Amazon  |  Book Depository

*I received a copy of Laddertop from Tor Publishing, in exchange for an honest review.*

Review ~ Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire... fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops.

Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast -- as the entrees.

The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?(From GoodReads)

I had been dying to read Drink Slay Love since the moment I saw it. The cover which is one of my favorites, screamed "Read me!". And I thought the synopsis sounded very promising. I've read a lot of comments from people who are anti-unicorn, they didn't plan to read this book because of the unicorn aspect. Which, when I think about it, seems weird because I didn't know there was a "unicorn presence" in YA to begin with. But, that's a story for another day. Anyway, I'm neither "pro" nor "anti" unicorn, I consider myself "unicorn neutral", and so I jumped into Drink Slay Love with much anticipation.

The book starts off with so much promise. I love, LOVE that the story is told from a bad-girl's point of view. And Pearl is so, so bad. She is a vampire with no humanity, no remorse. She embraces her life, because it is the only one she's ever known. She's wild and reckless and sexy. As is her uber-hunky, fellow badass, boyfriend Jadriel. And oh boy, Jadriel is hot. I'm not sure that I was supposed to be as into his character as I was. He was dangerous, and selfish, and content to let Pearl be his superior. Together, the rule the night, sparring and seducing their time away. This small glimpse of Pearl's life was so much fun.

Enter the unicorn. As indicated in the synopsis, Pearl is stabbed by a unicorn. After her near-miss, the chase is on. Pearl is after the elusive unicorn, out to get it for nearly killing her. But soon after, Pearl starts noticing changes, like the ability to withstand the sun, and sympathy for her prey. At this point, I miss the old, ruthless Pearl, but she still has her snark and wit, so I'm still on board.

Pearl begins to make human friends, Bethany and Evan. Evan is lovely. He is handsome, and helpful, and maybe, just a bit too perfect. And it seems, he may have a huge secret of his own.

Anyway, long story short, Pearl goes to school, makes human friends, and is put to the ultimate test by her family. I'm still on board, for the most part.

Here's my problem. The last part of the book, things start to be explained; like the unicorn and  Evan's big secret, Pearl's true nature is exposed, plans begin to unravel. And the problem is, everything felt too easily accepted. Teens just accept a vampire in their midst? No freaking out, no needing time to process? People just believe that the unicorn -------- (fill in the blank)? That's what bothered me about Drink Slay Love, the lack of reality in reactions. Which may seem is contradictory because I'm reading a  book about a vampire and a unicorn.

I liked Drink Slay Love, I really did. Durst has a beautiful writing style. The characters, especially Pearl, had just the right amount of snark and sarcasm, and her take on the vampire lifestyle (think Mafia) was cool. Take away my few complaints from above, and it was still an enjoyable book.


Favorite Quote:
" 'Just bite him. Suck a pint or two. Show me you're still you, that we're still us. Please, Pearl.' He 
   kissed her.  'Make someone bleed. For me.' "

Hardcover, 385 pages

Published September 13th 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry

Purchase Drink Slay Love at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

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's WoW selection is...

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being
bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen
angels in Sweet Evil.

Anna, a tender-hearted southern girl, was born with the sixth
sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of
a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger,
but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring
Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her
will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned
you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip forces Anna and Kai to face the reality
that hope and love are not options for their kind. When it's
time for Anna to confront her demons, will she choose to embrace
her halo or her horns? From GoodReads)

Isn't this the most gorgeous book? I can't wait to get my hands on it. In fact, I have two copies on pre-order (so I can share the love)!

Paperback, 464 pages

Expected publication: May 1st 2012 by HarperTeen

You can pre-order Sweet Evil at:

Book Depository  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Amazon

COLD BLOOD Blog Tour ~ Excerpt and Review of COLD BLOOD by Heather Hildenbrand

Welcome to today's stop on the COLD BLOOD (Dirty Blood #2) Blog Tour!

I have a great excerpt from the book for you to enjoy, and my review of COLD BLOOD will follow.

Wood Point Academy is not at all what I expected. For one thing, it looks like a cross between military school and Buckingham Palace. Everyone stares, the floors shine so bright you can see your reflection in them from a mile away, and no one smiles. Unless they're kicking your butt in the process. Which happens more often than not for the freshman. Lucky for them, my presence has just stolen the spotlight, and they get a break from the daily joys of hazing. At least I've got plenty to take my mind off the fact that my psycho cousin, Miles De'Luca, keeps calling and declaring his love and promising to come for me just as soon as he's destroyed anyone standing in our way. Wes isn't going to like that idea. So between Miles, Wood Point's evil welcoming committee, and the drill sergeant hottie trainer from hell, I just keep asking myself, how did I end up here

Now for the excerpt:

The sound of Headmaster’s voice made me jump. I’d almost forgotten I wasn’t alone.

"If you'll wait in the lobby, your tutor will be along in a few minutes to show you to your class," said Headmaster Whitfield.

I nodded, and he disappeared back into his office.

I made my way back to the lobby and wandered along the wall, pretending to study the portraits I'd seen earlier. A few kids came and went; most of them didn't even bother to hide the fact that they were staring at me. I assumed they were trying to figure out who the new kid was, until I heard one of them whisper, "That's her," as they passed by.

“What a freak,” said the other one. Both of them looked at me like I was day old seafood.

I watched them walk away, feeling confused more than offended. I did a quick outfit check. I knew I didn’t look runway ready in my jeans and hoodie, but I hadn’t had time to change after the trip. And now, with my bags being sent to my room, I guess I wouldn’t. I ran a hand through my hair and used the tie on my wrist to pull it up into a quick ponytail. Maybe that would help.

A couple more students passed through the lobby, and I got funny looks again, but they weren’t close enough for me to hear what they were saying. I was getting paranoid. I wandered towards the wall where the polished plaques of dead alumni hung and used the reflective glass as a mirror. I pulled a lip gloss out of my backpack and slid some over my lips.

Someone cleared their throat behind me. I turned and found myself face to face with the same green eyed boy from the parking lot – and the warehouse.

"I know you," I blurted, finally managing words this time. He looked back at me with lifted brows. "I mean, I saw you. In the warehouse. You saved me. Thanks." My words were rushed partly because I was afraid he was going to bolt again and partly because my nerves were starting to get to me.

He shrugged like he wanted to be done with it, and when he spoke, his words were fast and clipped. "No biggie. I'm Alex.”

“I’m Tara.”

“You ready to go?"

"Go?" I blinked at him. "You're my tutor?"

"Apparently. Is that a problem?"

"Well, I mean, you're a kid. I guess I expected a teacher or something."

A hint of a smile appeared, but it was rough at the edges and sarcastic, like his words. "We'll make do." He gestured to the schedule I held. "Is that your class list?"

I nodded and handed it over. He skimmed it and handed it back.

"Defensive Maneuvers Two, huh? They must think you're capable enough. Hopefully they're right and training will be easier than I thought." He headed for the doors without waiting to see if I was following, or noticing that I was now glaring. "Coming?"

I rolled my eyes and followed him out.

To find out where you can read the next installment of Cold Blood, please visit www.heatherhildenbrand.blogspot.com

My Review ~

I absolutely adore love Heather Hildenbrand's writing. Her book, Across the Galaxy, is one of the first self-published books that I read, and loved. I quickly moved on to Dirty Blood, which I also devoured. So, I have been patiently waiting for the follow-up to Dirty Blood, which is Cold Blood.

Did I love Cold Blood? You bet I did. It was everything I hoped it would be, and so much more. Hildenbrand really stepped it up in book two, upping the stakes in every way.

Starting with a new setting. Tara, the smart, tough and fierce main character of the series has been sent off to boarding school to learn how to be a true Hunter. The school is a hostile new world for Tara, who is constantly taunted because of her mixed heritage. Thank goodness, though, for a few new characters, Logan, Cambria and Alex, who help Tara along the way.

Logan and Cambria, Tara's new best friends are quick to take her in, show her around, help her survive. Logan is the cool guy friend we all want to have. Cambria is, well, awesome. She is snarky, tough, and maybe known to compel people to get her way. Great friends to have, for sure.

As for Alex, hmmm...I'm not sure where to start with him. My friend, Jess at Taking it One Book at a Time, and I had a "lively" discussion, actually a swoon-fest over Alex. Namely, how we love how he trusts Tara, and her decisions. A guy who thinks a girl can decide for herself? Not something you see a lot of in YA. Oh yeah, and he is super hot, if that's something that matters to you (because it sure does to me!).The chemistry between Alex and Tara is smoking hot. Each scene they had left me wondering if they were going to fist-fight or make out!

And Wes. I love Wes, and I missed him tremendously in this book. The reason for his absence is absolutely necessary, and allows for character growth for him, and Tara. But I missed him so and my heart did a happy dance every time he showed up in a scene.

Cold Blood was a terrific read, fun, fast-paced and suspenseful. And I have to say, I really don't know what Hildenbrand will throw at us in the third book. She really threw me for a few loops in Cold Blood; I honestly didn't know what was coming next.

If you're looking for a series with a strong, female lead; a cool, unique spin on werewolves; and a love triangle that's exhilerating, not exhausting, Cold Blood and Dirty Blood are the books for you!

Favorite Quote~

"Alex stepped closer and leaned down until his lips were only a breath away from mine. 'If I'd wanted 
 you to kiss me back, you would've.' "

You can purchase COLD BLOOD at:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  | 

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