Stargazer - Claudia Gray

Monday, March 22, 2010
Evernight Academy: an exclusive boarding school for the most beautiful, dangerous students of all—vampires. Bianca, born to two vampires, has always been told her destiny is to become one of them.

But Bianca fell in love 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.... 

Intense.

I was biting my nails the entire time, and what a way to end it. Claudia Gray knows how to write cliffhangers - I don't want, but NEED the third book, Hourglass! This one starts off with Bianca starting to see ghosts that want something and she can't figure out what.

In this one, you learn a lot more about Bianca and her past, as well as more character development from the others at Evernight, my favorites being Bathlazaar and Vic/Ranulf (how cute is he trying to be hip?!). I began reading and just kept telling myself one more chapter...before I knew it, I was almost halfway through. This book captures you and gets such a tight hold on you, it's insane.

Claudia Gray is an amazing author and I'm begging for more about Bianca and her adventures.

*****

Chasing Brooklyn - Lisa Shroeder

Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Restless souls and empty hearts.

Brooklyn can’t sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca died a year ago, and now their friend Gabe has died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there, waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca chasing her through her dreams.

Nico can’t stop. He’s always running, trying so hard not to feel the pain of missing Lucca. But when he begins receiving messages from his dead brother, telling him to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

This is another story that stays with you long after you finish reading it. Lisa Shroeder has a way of holding into you through her character that makes you completely ache for them and want the best for them. As I was reading I felt like the mother hen trying watch over her baby chicks.

This novel is also written in verse and goes back and forth from Brooklyn's POV to Nico's POV and I really appreciated that about the novel. Nico just broke my heart with some of the things he said and it was nice to see a boy have emotions and not be indifferent to it. You could just tell that this devastated everyone and how much of an impact this was on their lives.

I loved the interactions between Brooklyn and Nico. At first you could tell they were awkward and didn't know what to do around each other but Nico didn't give up. As the novel progressed, the writing became less sad and more uplifiting, like I could feel the anxiety and dpression lifting from their shoulders - I loved that!

The ending was absolutely beautiful, it made me cry like a baby. Get this one and you won't forget it. It brought everything into perspective to me, and it made me realize how important family is and to enjoy them while I can because they won't be around forever. Life isn't permanent and you shouldn't take it for granted.

*****

Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

Monday, March 15, 2010
Anke’s father is abusive. But not to her. He attacks her brother and sister, but she’s just an invisible witness in a house of horrors, on the brink of disappearing altogether. Until she makes the volleyball team at school. At first just being exhausted after practice feels good, but as Anke becomes part of the team, her confidence builds. When she learns to yell “Mine!” to call a ball, she finds a voice she didn’t know existed. For the first time, Anke is seen and heard. Soon, she’s imagining a day that her voice will be loud enough to rescue everyone at home—including herself.

This book is intense and powerful. It is written in verse and I think that adds to the sadness of the story. I felt like Anke's story was so gripping and my heart was ripped out of my chest for her. I finished this novel in about an hour, I just couldn't put it down. I feel it takes a special author to write in verse, as each page needs to have meaning. The writing in this novel was brilliant and the idea was gut-wrenching. Anke is the only child not being abused by her father and she considers herself furniture, since no one is paying attention to her.

Of course, me being a big baby, I was a mess at the end. I too was sexually abused by a neighbor as a child and I could feel what these three children are going through and it broke my heart. I wanted to kill her father for her, and rescuse this family from the pit of saddness they're trapped in, and by the end I wanted to hug her. Such an intense ride!

Brilliant, brilliant novel.

*****

Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick

Friday, March 12, 2010
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

This was a really good book and I really couldn't put it down. Once asgain I was reminded of Twilight with the mysterious guy but Patch was so much better than Edward - times a million. He was such an ass at times I wanted to kill him, but he was such a bad boy that I couldn't stay away.

What an amazing story line, too! My jaw was on the floor most of the time and I couldn't stop reading. I was tempted to call in sick from life to be able to finish it as fast as I could! Some of the things that Nora saw sent chills down my spine and I LOVE it when books do that to me. What a fun read! Once I finished the book I finally looked at the cover and just now noticed that it's wings...I thought he was falling onto a dandelion. LOL

*****