Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancĂ©. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction. 

Wow...I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down and found myself thinking about it when my nose wasn't in it. I loved the slow build Jessica and Lucius had, and it wasn't what I was expecting at all. I liked that it didn't happen right away and they had more turmoil than I thought.

The writing was amazing, and Lucius is such an INTERESTING character. I never could figure him out and found myself laughing out loud and agreeing with him as he talked about our 'stupid American traditions'. I really liked Jessica's character as well, though she was annoying and stubborn in the beginning, but I got over it and really loved her.

Now I'm even more excited to read Jekel Loves Hyde! Oh, and don't look this book up on Goodreads if you plan on reading it, there are uncovered spoilers all around the author's main GR page. Just thought to warn y'all!

5/5!

Her and Me and You - Lauren Strasnick

Saturday, September 18, 2010
First love, broken friendships, and heartache all play a part in this evocative, voice-driven novel about Alex, a girl whose world is ripped apart when her father’s affair splits her family in two.

Alex moves with her mess of a mother to a new town, where she is befriended by hot, enigmatic Fred—and alternately flirted with and cold-shouldered by Fred’s twin sister, Adina. Others warn Alex to steer clear of the twins, whose sibling relationship is considered abnormal at best, but there’s just something about Fred—and something about Adina—that draws Alex to them and makes her want to be part of their crazy world…no matter the consequences. 

This book is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to get my hands on a finished copy! I always have been a Lauren fan with her Nothing Like You novel, and this one didn't disappoint at all. I laughed and cried right along with Alex and could really relate to her. It's so easy for characters (especially heroines) to become whiny and obnoxious but I find with Lauren, she makes her characters strong and likable.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, it's a great novel with a beautiful message and it's rather easy to read. It's short and most of it is just dialog and not description which I liked. I read it in just a few hours because it was so short and it's that good!

4/5

Prophecy of the Sisters - Michelle Zink

Sixteen-year-old Lia Milthorpe and her twin sister Alice have just become orphans, and, as Lia discovers, they have also become enemies. The twins are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. To escape from a dark fate and to remain in the arms of her beloved boyfriend James, Lia must end the prophecy before her sister does. Only then will she understand the mysterious circumstances of her parents' deaths, the true meaning of the strange mark branded on her wrist, and the lengths to which her sister will go to defeat her.

I can officially say that I am a Michelle Zink fan! After all the bummer reads I've been having, this book was a great breath of fresh air. The writing in this novel is amazing and the feel of this book is dark and Gothic, set in the late 1800's. It reminds me of the Gemma Doyle trilogy for some reason and I love that!

Michelle did a great job crafting the characters, as I felt for both Lia and Alice in different ways. It was a great ride and I found myself dying to know what would happen next. The ending was a little disappointing in the lack of action and something that happens, but I didn't let that get in the way of the rating. Can't wait to read the next one, Guardian of the Gate!

5/5

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Friday, September 17, 2010
In Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past…and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabel, who already lost her brother to the wolves…and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

What is up with me and the no werewolf love? I don't know what it is about this series, but I just don't love it like I thought. I wanted to give Linger the ole one two try, but I couldn't get into it. Sam is still creepily obsessed with Grace and it's bothersome to me. The fact that Sam roams the house when Grace is gone is scary, not sweet in my opinion.

The two biggest problems I had with this one was the ending and the parents. Why did they suddenly not want Sam and Grace together? In Shiver, their relationship in the parent's eyes was all sunshine and rainbows! I think that wasn't a contribution to Grace's character and merely an angsty plot device. It didn't make any sense at all. I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone so I'll sum it up - 'lame' and 'WTF?!'

3/5

Willow by Julia Hoban

Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow’s parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy—one sensitive, soulful boy—discovers Willow’s secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the “safe” world Willow has created for herself upside down. 

I'm not sure why I even had this book on my shelf, seeing as I'm not a fan of self-mutilation and don't like depressing books. Some of you on my YouTube channel suggested it though, so I read it. Regretfully, I wasn't all that impressed just as I thought I would. Basically another story in which the girl is sad and in comes the too perfect 'Guy' (literally in this one) who should make all readers swoon and rescues her for the pits of her own self-loathing hell.

I'd like to begin by saying I was very sorry about her parents dying and couldn't imagine going through something like that. With that said, I thought she was a complete wench to everyone that was trying to help her. She didn't think of anyone hurting but herself. I didn't find her relate-able and wanted to skip parts.

The ending kind of annoyed me, because I wanted something to happen that didn't, and it only irritated me about Willow more. The writing was excellent but I just didn't care for the plot or the characters.

3/5

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

the cold.
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.

the heat.
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now. 
 
This was the novel I was stoked about reading when it first came out. I am a huge werewolf/wolf fan and was dying to get my hands on this one. I'm sad to say I wasn't as thrilled about it as I thought I'd be.

The plot is an excellent idea, and the writing was too bad, I think though that Sam was a little too perfect for me and he wasn't as flawed as I wish he was. I know he has his issues, but they don't really get into them as much as I'd hoped. Sam was sweet, but I was a little creeped out with how obsessed he was with Grace and the constantly thinking of lyrics for a song for her and he just so happens to play the guitar and he likes to read and is very well-spoken and intellectual...he's only a kid.

I thought a lot of the characters fell flat, especially Grace's parents. They were never there and only used when it suited the scene. The ending was a little flat for me as well, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to read Linger. I still love Maggie and her writing!

4/5!

In My Mailbox (9/4/2010)

Saturday, September 4, 2010
Laura has an IMM this week?! Holy moly, it's a miracle!


Movies
Just Like Heaven
Birth
Beauty Shop
Matrix
Grey's Anatomy: Season One
The Grudge 2
Dreamer

Books
My Soul to Save - Rachel Vincent
Linger - Maggie Steifvater

Hope you guys have an amazing Labor Day weekend! Three days off, woo!