Something Wiccan This Way Comes & Wiccan Cool: Traci Hall

Recently, I revived copies of Something Wiccan This Way Comes and Wiccan Cool to review. I had a good time reading more in the Rhiannon Godfrey story that began with Her Wiccan, Wiccan Ways.  I read books 2 and 3 back to back. The stories reminded me of how much chaos is involved in a teenagers life. There were times when I read a passage that all I could do was wince. Because, I can remember when I was that impulsive and irrational (otherwise known as being a teen in the Midwest).  Reading more about the secondary characters was great, and some of the new characters are welcome additions to the lineup. Overall, I enjoyed this series.

If you enjoy Young Adult Paranormals, give Traci Hall’s stories a try.

Description (Amazon)
What’s a girl to do when trouble finds her at every turn? Being different is nothing new for Rhiannon Godfrey. Neither is hiding who she really is to all but a select few. So far she’s managed to walk that line, but now someone is spreading rumors that the Godfrey’s New Age store is really a front for witchcraft, complete with cauldrons and eyes of newt. The whole town is turning against them even Rhee’s boyfriend is suspicious. Then there’s her ex-crush Matthew, who just showed up uninvited on her doorstep carrying a single suitcase and a heavy secret. Rhiannon tries to be good, she really does. But its hard when trouble pounces at every turn, and her unsuccessful spells seem to prove that science is the only path to enlightenment. Hiding her gifts and running from confrontation is easier than standing up for what she believes in. But this time, there’s more at stake. And the possibility she may have to find the inner strength to banish one friend in order to save another.

Description (Amazon)

-Normal- is highly overrated. And as easy to lose as your balance-

A Rhiannon Godfrey story.

At long last, Rhiannon is starting to fit into the ninth grade. She and Jared are starting to flirt again, and school is fine except for the mandatory student community service hours. She’s even learned to bank her psychic powers.

For the most part.

Then there’s Dane, the intriguing, infuriating guy who’s her community service student supervisor. He’s got -angry teen- down to a science. Without even trying, he slips past her emotional shields, challenging her to be the one thing she’s most afraid of-herself.

For Rhee, that’s as scary as the ghost haunting the silo behind Doyle’s ice cream parlor. A ghost that’s somehow connected to the shadows in Dane’s eyes. All she really wants is, for once in her life, to be normal. But for a girl like her, -normal- isn’t just an impossible dream, it can be downright dangerous.

Especially if it means embracing her gifts-and opening her heart.

 

Buy from Amazon

• Her Wiccan, Wiccan Ways
• Something Wiccan This Way Comes
• Wiccan Cool

Once Dead, Twice Shy: Kim Harrison

This is the first book in the Madison Avery series from Kim Harrison for Young Adults. I am a fan of the author’s other work and I enjoyed this also. It’s a lighter story intended for the YA audience and I think that it works well. The tone is right and the storyline is good. I enjoyed that the typical scenarios are played with, generating a unique mythos for the world.

I just love the ending relationship between 2 of the characters, it seems like this relationship will be a lot of fun in future books.

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: May 09

Format: Paper (library)

Author Website: http://www.kimharrison.net

Rating: Recommend, Series Read Continue

Description (Harper Collins)

My name is Madison Avery, and I’m here to tell you that there’s more out there than you can see, hear, or touch. Because I’m there. Seeing it. Touching it. Living it.

Madison’s prom was killer—literally. For some reason she’s been targeted by a dark reaper—yeah, that kind of reaper—intent on getting rid of her, body and soul. But before the reaper could finish the job, Madison was able to snag his strange, glowing amulet and get away.

Now she’s stuck on Earth—dead but not gone. Somehow the amulet gives her the illusion of a body, allowing her to toe the line between life and death. She still doesn’t know why the dark reaper is after her, but she’s not about to just sit around and let fate take its course.

With a little ingenuity, some light-bending, and the help of a light reaper (one of the good guys! Maybe . . . ), her cute crush, and oh yeah, her guardian angel, Madison’s ready to take control of her own destiny once and for all, before it takes control of her.

Well, if she believed in that stuff.

Purchase from Amazon in Print

Bloodhound: Tamora Pierce

I thought that the story was an entertaining glimpse into the character’s life. The characters are enjoyable and the story does not follow a predictable path.

If you enjoyed the first book or the author’s other work, you will enjoy this series.

Things I enjoyed: I enjoyed that the main character went on a mission in a new environment.

Things I didn’t enjoy: It took me a while to get used to the diary format of the book.

Reason for reading: I loved the first in the series.

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2009
Format: Print
Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy
Series:  Yes (The Legend of Beka Cooper)
Author Web Site: http://www.tamora-pierce.com/index.html

Description
Beka Cooper is finally a Dog—a full-fledged member of the Provost’s Guard, dedicated to keeping peace in Corus’s streets. But there’s unrest in Tortall’s capital. Counterfeit coins are turning up in shops all over the city, and merchants are raising prices to cover their losses. The Dogs discover that gamblers are bringing the counterfeit money from Port Caynn. In Port Caynn, Beka delves deep into the gambling world, where she meets a charming banking clerk named Dale Rowan. Beka thinks she may be falling for Rowan, but she won’t let anything—or anyone—jeopardize her mission. As she heads north to an abandoned silver mine, it won’t be enough for Beka be her usual “terrier” self. She’ll have to learn from Achoo to sniff out the criminals—to be a Bloodhound. . . .

Rating: Series Read Continue, Hardcover, Recommend, Comfort Read

Buy at Amazon in Print

Lord of Misrule: Rachel Caine

I requested Lord of Misrule from the library shortly after it’s release. It finally came in about a week ago.

The latest in the Morganville saga delivers another action packed volume. Readers will enjoy the latest installation in the series. Although it’s clear that there will be several more in this series. This volume does not offer resolution to the main conflict, but gives the next step in the sequence of events.

If you liked the previous Morganville books, you will enjoy this one. On a side note, there is a short Morganville story in Immortal: Love Stories With Bite (available from Borders) that was very good.

Things enjoyed: Myrnin, he is just buggy crazy. It’s delightful.

Things I didn’t enjoy: I wish that there was a bit more relationship development between the characters.

Reason for reading:

Rating: Series Read Continue, Recommend

Publisher: Signet
Publication Date: January 09 
Format: Print
Genre: Young Adult, Vampire 
Series: Yes – Morganville Vampires Book 5  
Author Web Site: http://www.rachelcaine.com/Home.html

Description (Amazon) 
In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, the master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn’t the only threat.
Violent black cyclone clouds hover, promising a storm of devastating proportions as student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against elements both natural and unnatural.

Bones of Faerie: Janni Lee Simmer

Bones of Faerie is a good book, possibly an excellent book, but I think that it might not be for everyone. It wasn’t for me, but I can see that it’s a great book.

When I read a book, it’s hard for me to not make a connection with some part of the book. I may identify with a character, a feeling, or an event. It doesn’t matter what the connection is about, just that there is an emotional connection. Because of this connection, and that I am 36 years old and have not existed in a vacuum, there are some subjects that I don’t enjoy reading about. Bones of Faerie touches on a couple of them… so while I can recognize that this is a good book, I can also say that it’s not the book for me.

I think that this is a perfect book for it’s intended young adult audience. If I was 13 and didn’t have the baggage that I have, I would have loved this book. The readers follow the characters through a journey of self discovery, acceptance, and loss.

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: January 09

Format: Print

Description (Author web site)

The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so fifteen-year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Corn resists being harvested; dandelions have thorns. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Still Liza feels safe. Her father is strong and has protected their town by laying down strict rules. Among them: Any trace of magic must be destroyed, no matter where it is found.

Then Liza’s sister is born with faerie-pale hair, clear as glass, and Liza’s father leaves the baby on a hillside to die. When her mother disappears into the forest and Liza herself discovers she has the faerie ability to see –into the past, into the future–she has no choice but to flee. Liza’s quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.

purchase at Amazon in Print or Kindle

Need: Carrie Jones

I read Need a couple of weeks ago and I enjoyed it. I liked that the pixies are not nice beings. This is a quick and enjoyable read and readers will enjoy the menace of the pixies, just as I did.

If Carrie Jones writes more in this universe, I will definitely read them.

Description
Now fans of Stephenie Meyer and Melissa Marr have a new author to devour . . . Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal.  Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.

With suspense, romance, and paranormal themes, this exciting breakout novel has all the elements to keep teens rapidly turning the pages.

Buy at Amazon

Rating:  Recommend, Hardback

Fade: Lisa McMann

Sometimes a book can just resonate with you and there isn’t a clear reason why, other times you know exactly why you loved it. As for Lisa McMann’s series I can’t be sure exactly why I love it, with it’s the story, the characters, or the Ann Arbor references….but I love it.

Description

SOME NIGHTMARES NEVER END.

For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They’re just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck.

Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody’s talking. When Janie taps into a classmate’s violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open — but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie’s in way over her head, and Cabe’s shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability — and it’s bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what’s to come is way darker than she’d feared….

Buy on Amazon

Rating: Recommend, Series Read Continue, Hardback

Evermore: Alyson Noel

I read this book a few weeks ago and I am struggling with my feelings about it. I enjoyed it, but not as a vampire book. I enjoyed the struggle that the heroine had with the loss of her family and the morality of keeping her sister’s ghost with her instead of letting go.

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication Date: February 2009
Format: Print

Author Web Site
Author Blog

Description (Amazon)

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch.   Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition.  He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets.  Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head.  She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.  Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

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Rating:  Recommend

 

Rating

I’ve been reading, really…

Really, truly…I have been reading, not a lot but still reading. I just got wrapped up in a head cold and feeling seriously icky. So there wasn’t so much posting to go with my reading. 

I think that I’ll do a lump post of the books that I have read while sick and then I’ll start doing individual posts again. I sort of feel like I am cheating, but I know if I don’t get it done now I’ll never get these books documented. (Yes, I am that lazy)

Anyway here are the latest books that I have read:

	Evil Ways: Justin Gustainis
	This is the second in the series and it’s well worth the read.
	Spiral hunt: Margaret Ronald
	This is a great start to a new series. I really enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to the next in the series.
	Revelations – A Blue Bloods Novel: Melissa De La Cruz
	I think that I need to re-read the entire series, because I did enjoy this book I think that I would have enjoyed it more. Some of the storyline I forgot, I think that I’ll go back and re-read the entire series
	Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home: Michele Bardsley
	Light fluffy and fun, that is what I thought about this book. I had a great time with this one.
	Kiss of Fate: Deborah Cooke
	Dragon shifters are great, I am enjoying the struggle of the Pyr and the Slayers. Reading about the firestrom of the leader of the Pyr was great. I liked the interaction of the characters.

The Exchange: Graham Joyce

I think that Graham Joyce’s novel The Exchange is a wonderful read. It continues in his typical style. The author delivers his signature creepiness in a coming of age story of a teen girl. The reader follows the girl on a journey of self-awareness that is full of excitement. The Exchange didn’t creep me out as much as his Tooth Fairy novel, but I enjoyed it.

Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Publication Date: July 2008
Format: Print

Author Web Site

 Description (Amazon)

A taut, otherworldly thriller set in contemporary England.

Caz and her best friend Lucy have a secret. Late at night, they break into strangers’ homes—not to steal anything, just for the rush. Then Caz gets caught in the act by elderly Mrs. Tranter, and before she knows it, the old woman has snapped a silver bracelet around her wrist. Caz can’t remove it, no matter what she does; and then it becomes part of her, sinking into her skin like a tattoo. Worst and most unsettling of all, it’s given her an unpredictable kind of ESP. She can see into people’s inner lives, whether she wants to or not. The Exchange is gritty magical realism with a sense of humor—just right for fans of Holly Black and Sonya Hartnett.

Buy from Amazon: Print

Rating: Hardback, Recommend.