The Awakening - Kelley Armstrong

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Form: Book
Series: The Darkest Powers

If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl - someone normal. Now my life has changed forever nad I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment - not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromaneer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever.

Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends - a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch - and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.

Source: Book flap

One word summary: Riveting

Yet another saga for me to obsess about, as if I’m not waiting on enough books to come out as it is. As as young adult books go, this is the best saga I’ve read since I started The Hunger Games about this time last year. (BTW, the 2^nd book, Catching Fire is getting ready to come out in October, I cannot wait!) The Awakening is the second book in The Darkest Powers series, although I think saga is a better description. To me “series” are books about the same people, but each person has their own series; or different beginning, middle, end – same characters, I.E. Black Dagger Brothers Series, or In Death series. “Saga,” is the same story, same characters, just stretched out over a number of books.

The Darkest Power series falls under the “trendy” category. Ever since Twilight made it big, with the vampires and supernatural powers being a major part of the book(s), paranormal and fantasy books have been trickling out of the publishers like water. Or maybe I’m just noticing them more, because frankly I LOVE this trend. Anyhow, while these books are trendy, supernatural, paranormal, an element of fear, they are not typical. Usually these books are very romantic in nature, a definite love story precedes all else. In The Summoning and The Awakening, it’s not the love story that takes over the plot, but discovery of who and what they are and survival. There seems to be a romantic undertone playing out, and I really want it bad; Chloe and Derek all the way, but it’s no where near the focus of the book. I think that may be what I’m finding so appealing about these books. I love romance, but lately I’ve been so knee deep in them (and will continue to be) that these books have come as a nice change.

I noticed growth in the characters throughout The Awakening. Tori, although still annoying as ever, even seems to be catching on the actually listening and becoming somewhat of a team player. I hope for a happier story for her in the next installment. Derek’s personality lightened up a bit half-way through the book, mostly due to Chloe. I think Chloe is actually pretty much the same. She seems to have the most to learn about her powers, and controlling them; and as a person she always seemed mature for her age and knew how to trust and make semi-rational decisions. She cares about everyone, as Tori complains about every chance she gets, to a fault. I predict that Jen is going to be even more useful in the next book than she was in this one. And I really hope Rae jumps on board and understands what’s going on…sneaky little twist with her character in this book by the way, not what I was expecting.

As I mentioned before, I’m anxious for The Reckoning to be released, I’m sure the books will offer just as much excitement as the first two. I’m concerned about it being the last book though – I already know I’m going to want more. More story, more explanation, more of Chloe, Derek, Simon, Tori and even Rae and Jen.

Dreamfever - Karen Marie Moning

Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Form: Book
Series: Fever Series

He has stolen her past, but Mackayla will never allow her sister's murderer to take her future. Yet even the uniquely gifted sidhe-seer is no match for the Lord Master, who has unleashed an insatiable sexual craving that consumes Mac's every thought - and thrusts her into the seductive realm of two very dangerous men, both of whom she desires but dares not trust.

As the enigmatic Jericho Barrons and the sensual Fae prince V'lane vie for her body and soul, as she rallies the sidhe-seers to fight an impossible battle and the power of the Dark Book weaves its annihilating path through the city, Mac's greatest enemy delivers a final challenge...

It's an invitation Mac cannot refuse, one that sends her racing home to Georgia, where an even darker threat awaits. With her parents missing and the lives of her loved ones under siege, Mac is about to come face-to-face with a soul-shattering truth - about herself and about the world she thought she knew.

Source: Book flaps

I have been waiting for a year for this book to come out...and I can tell you I'm almost depressed. Not because the book was bad - not in the slightest - because in classic "Fever Series" methods, Karen Marie Moning left the characters and the story at a very high point. Each of the books in this series do not actually end, they just stop. Right.In.The.Middle.Of.The.Freakin.Story!!!!!! If it wasn't so good, it would be infuriating!

There were very few questions answered, and many more questions raised. Actually, these books remind me of the show Lost in that way. Mac becomes a much more aggressive, darker Mac - instead of wishing her life were back to normal she is finally embracing who she is and what she does and wants to kick of Fae-butt! She still thinks about the past, but she no longer seems to dwell on it like she was.

This book took her relationship with Jericho Barrons to a new level. Not only does he release her from her Pry-ia status and helps her to find herself again, but though they both fight it, it seems to have opened some additional doors to their relationship. I think Jericho is showing more emotion towards Mackayla, although it seems like he's fighting what he's feeling - I think it's there right under the surface. He cares much more than he wants to. I think his mean comments and biting words are evidence of that. He doesn't like what she's making him feel. Seriously, with all the tension, heat and passion the two are throwing at each other, V'lane doesn't stand a chance.

So...I'm not really telling you much, am I? This series is awesome! It contains Faerie of the deep and evil kind. Even the "good," or Seelie fae are a bit worrisome in this book. Mackayla is a sidhe-seer, a person (woman) who can see through Faerie glamor. She also has an entire host of other abilities that she's just getting to know, making her more curious to Jericho and others around her. She's fighting to get these Fae off her planet, she's fighting to avenge her sister's death, she's fighting to save the planet. If you are a paranormal/fantasy junky (as I am) you would do good to start at the beginning of this series (Darkfever, Bloodfever, Faefever, Dreamfever). There is one more (thank God it's only ONE) book in the series (Shadowfever), and I simply cannot wait!

Acheron - Sherrilyn Kenyon

Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Form: Audio Book
Series: Dark Hunter Series
Narrator: Holter Graham

Eleven thousand years ago a god was born. Cursed into the body of a human, Acheron spent a lifetime of shame. His human death unleashed an unspeakable horror that almost destroyed the earth. Brought back against his will, he became the sole defender of mankind. Only it was never that simple. For centuries, he has fought for our survival and hidden a past he never wants revealed. Until a lone woman who refuses to be intimidated by him threatens his very existence. Now his survival, and ours, hinges on hers and old enemies reawaken and unite to kill them both.
War has never been more deadly... or more fun.

Source: booksamillion.com

One word summary: Heartbreaking

Acheron is actually the first full book that I’ve read/listened to of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s. I read a novelette, trying to start at the beginning, and I’ve tried others, but lost interest within the first chapter. This book defiantly caught and held my attention from beginning to end.

This is not your typical paranormal romance novel. There is so much story here, it just seemed like it was what it was. This was Acheron’s life, not just some story, and let me tell you it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Almost the entire story seemed to have a melancholy feel about it, it wasn’t until the end that any kind of joy seemed to seep through the book. It was very hard to listen to at points, because you are just so broken up because Acheron is broken, over and over again.

In the beginning, you pretty much hate every character, save Acheron and Ryssa, his sister. There is no good to be found in any of them. I was so afraid, even from the beginning when she wasn’t too bad, that Artemis was going to be Acheron’s HEA, that somehow she was going to redeem herself. I couldn’t figure out how in the world Sherrilyn Kenyon was going to make that happen after you become absolutely disgusted with her throughout his childhood. (Also bare in mind, I didn’t get any back-story from previous books) I am so thankful Tory came along. It is also a relief that as the book starts wrapping up, you discover that Acheron actually has friends who care about him, even if he does still feel all alone.

Some of the things I loved: the references to modern media. There are mention of several shows and movies. I loved the reference to Heros the T.V. Show “save the cheerleader, save the planet.” I also enjoyed the caveman commercial reference. Both made me smile. Showing modern times and making said references did not give the book a cheesy feel that I sometimes get with other books I read, and I really appreciate her ability to do that. Sherrilyn throws other bits of humor and fun in with all the grief. Acheron’s sarcasm always made me laugh, even after a beating or being insulted somehow. And then when Tory is able to match his every word with some of her own – they made the perfect match. I enjoyed Acheron’s aching heart for all children. It was a repeated even throughout the book, and I’m glad it remained consistent. I was disappointed when Mia did not end up being the HEA. I was hopeful that somehow this character from his past would be there to rescue and help him in the future. This was prior to me realizing that this book was going to cover the scope of several centuries.

Some things I wasn’t so happy about; there wasn’t much on his discovery that he was a father – that was surprising, but now that I think about it, it’s possible that is included in a different book and I just missed it. I just felt that was actually a bit important, especially to add fuel to the fire of his already growing hatred toward Artemis. The other thing I would have liked to see play out differently was how Acheron told Tory about himself. I wish he would have some how found a way to trust her instead of it being a bit of an accident, alas I suppose the whole point is that he cannot trust, and Tory had to prove herself trustworthy with his mistake. So I can see why it was written that way, it just wasn’t what I wanted to see I guess. The final thing that bothered me was the amount of history verses the amount of time spent in the current. It seemed like with all the focus on Acheron’s childhood, there could have been more about what was happening currently instead of squishing the love story and heroine all in a short amount of pages. I have read other reviews on this book, and I do disagree with others about the character of Tory – I think that she is a good heroine and I understood her back story and how it brought her to the present. I do, however, agree with the reviews about how there wasn’t enough time between Acheron’s attack on her career and them falling for one another. I’ve read many a romance novel, and I’ve felt the chemistry stronger between other couples, and I think time and “pages” of story help with that significantly.

I’ve already added the previous and the next Dark Hunter books to my list. I’m not sure I’ll go back and get all of them, but I am interested in seeing some of the other character’s stories.

The Summoning - Kelley Armstrong

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Form: Paperback Book
Series: The Darkest Powers

Chloe Saunders used to have a pretty normal life. But that changed on the day she met her first ghost. Locked up in Lyle House, a group home for troubled teens, she finds out that there's more to the home's teen residents than meets the eye. Will Chloe be able to uncover the dangerous secrets of Lyle House...or will its skeletons come back to haunt her?

Source: back of book

One Word Summary: Suspense

The Summoning had me on the edge of my seat most of the book through. Mostly because there were so many questions to be answered (still are), and it’s dealing with ghosts. I’m not so good with ghosts – vampires, werewolves, etc. are fine. Ghosts are a little bit scary for me. I’m thankful this was a young adult book, because I imagine it would have been worse (for me) written for an adult.

Really, this book – I hope – was mostly an introduction to the characters. It helped determined who’s who and what’s what. Who you can trust, and who you can’t. Even though Simon and Derek are still iffy according to Rachelle, I personally think they are going to play a key part in the next book. I’m hoping that The Awakening will go a little bit further than the hospital, or a home for “special” teenagers. I really enjoyed the escape/chase scene at the end of The Summoning, and I hope that The Awakening will be more action, and perhaps those with powers begin to have a purpose other than to be with each other. I felt like we were just getting somewhere in that category when the book ended…which I’m sure was by design.

All-in-all, the book was good. I’m excited to move forward with the storyline, find out what happened to Simon and Derek and what is going to happen to Chloe and Rachelle, and Jen (who I would like to predict is actually alive…but perhaps that’s just wishful thinking on my part).

Evernight & Stargazer - Claudia Gray

Evernight & Stargazer by Claudia Gray
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Form: Book
Series: Evernight Series

Evernight

At the eerily Gothic Evernight Academy, the other students are sleek, smart, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

When she meets handsome, brooding Lucas, he warns her to be careful - even when it comes to caring about him. But the connection between them 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.
Stargazer

Evernight Academy: and exclusive boarding school for the most beautiful, dangerous students of all - vampires. Biana, born to two vampires, has always been told her destiny is to become one of them.

But Bianca fell in lvoe with Lucas - a vampire hunter sworn to destroy her kind. They were torn apart when his true identity was revealed, forcing him to flee the school.

Although they may be separated, Bianca and Lucas will not give each other up. She will risk anything for the chance to see him again, even if it means coming face-to-face with the vampire hunters of Black Cross - or deceiving the powerful vampires of Evernight. Bianca's secrets will force her to live a life of lies.

Yet Bianca isn't the only one keeping secrets. When Evernight is attacked by an evil force that seems to target her, she discovers the truth she thought she knew is only the beginning...

Source: back/flap of books

One word summary: Exciting!

I am in love with this new(er) vampire series. In the first book, Evernight, author Claudia Gray had me fooled and then surprised by the middle revelation. Seeing as how I am doing a double review on these books - the surprise effect isn't the same if you read my review prior to reading the books. Sorry for the spoiler.

The books are very well written and are fun and action packed, yet just perfect for the young adults, even as young as 13. There is a bit of sensuality, but nothing that young teens haven't seen/heard of before. There are even a few parts that are a little suspenseful, had me on the edge of my seat. Evernight was so good, that I went right out and immediately bought Stargazer because I had to know what was going to happen. And I wasn't disappointed at all. Bianca and Lucas are an awesome couple who have real arguments and ligitamet fears and concerns about what it would be like to be in love with someone who isn't even a part of your species, let alone your enemy! It's a bit of Romeo and Juliet, but hopefully it won't end up tragically.

This series has 2 more books to go - and I already can't wait!