Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Sunday, October 10, 2010
Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris-- the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts fiercely alongside her. Now Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves and finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax-- but loving him means betraying her sister and has the potential to destroy all they've worked for.

Wow. What is there to say about this one but the obvious - I finished it in a half day. For some reason I was hesitant to start this novel, probably because As You Wish ranks so high on my favorite reads list that I didn't want Sisters Red to tarnish my love. I'll be the first to say that I was totally wrong!

I'm rediculously in love with this author, and now I'm proud to say that she is easily one of my top five favorites. She just knows how to weave a beautiful story and the creativity just blows my mind. Who can take the idea of Little Red Riding Hood and turn it into Sisters Red?! Only Jackson, I'm sure.

The writing was superb, and also in present tense which I find really difficult to do. The plot was fantastic and I totally kept reading because I had to know what happened next between Rosie, Silas, and Scarlett. Complete page turner and I adored every minute. Thank you Jackson!

*****

In My Mailbox (10/10/10)

Hey guys! It's been a while since I've done one of these, but I went to Barnes and Noble this weekend so I thought to share what I got. Hope you guys had a safe weekend and a good week ahead! We're going to the Texas State Fair on Friday and I'll try to bring my camera along. I can't wait to get a big corn dog! ;)


(Links go to GoodReads)
End of Days - Max Turner
The Devouring - Simon Holt
The Host Audiobook - Stephenie Meyer
Return to Paradise - Simone Elkeles
As You Wish - Jackson Pearce
The Iron Daughter - Julie Kagawa
I've read As You Wish and The Devouring, I just wanted them for my shelf because they're so good!

Lock and Key - Sarah Dessen

Saturday, October 9, 2010
"Ruby, where is your mother?" Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return. That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

I have always been a huge Sarah Dessen fan, since middle school and beyond. She knows how to touch on very teen prevalent issues and make them easier to approach. There are so many of her novels that I love and adore, but this wasn't one of them.

I felt like there were too many loose ends that weren't tied up with this novel, and I felt like the ending was a bit rushed. I thought Ruby was an okay character, though her personality seemed to be a bit overdone in this genre. Jaded, cynical, self sufficient, and completely turned off of love. It is a little redundant, but I was willing to give it a go regardless.

The novel never did really catch my interest, and I feel like it wasn't a huge problem for me to put it down. I'm sorry to say that because I love Sarah's work, but this book didn't do anything for me. I much prefer some of her older titles, Just Listen, This Lullaby, The Truth about Forever, and Dreamland come to mind!

3/5!

The Iron King - Julie Kagawa

Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy...and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart.

I finally picked this one up! I'd started it once but put it down (can't remember why) and never got it again. I did now and I'm glad I did so. It was a nice combination of romance/love triangle, action, and suspense. I was holding my breath in a few places.

Meaghan did annoy me at times. It seemed like she had the innate ability to get herself into trouble and needed someone to rescue her (ahem, Bella...ahem) but she stepped up in the end (sort of) even though she did have some help once again. I also found the ending to be a little bit anti-clamatic. I know there was some action, but they spent all this time trying to get to place A and when they get there, nothing REALLY good happens. Maybe my hopes were too high.

The plot was good and still can't decide what team I'm on in regards to the love interest, but I do have to say I'm a proud team Grimalkin and team Pack Rats! ;)

****.5!

Possessions - Nancy Holder

Lindsay is hoping for a fresh start, to get out of San Diego, where everyone remembers when she had her breakdown, and get away to boarding school, even if it is a boarding school as creepy as Marlwood Academy. But Lindsay is happier, and even manages to make a great new friend, Julie. Then, the school's most popular girl, Mandy starts acting super creepy. Rumors abound, but it's becoming more and more clear to Lindsay that something else is at work...something darker and more dangerous than just a houseful of mean girls.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book out, since I didn't like the Wicked series that Nancy Holder co-authored. I'm really happy that I decided to go ahead with it because it was a great book! Lindsay was very real and I actually liked her character, as a reformed bitchy teen. She has spunk and tenacity. There were actually some parts that had me looking over my shoulder and regretting reading it so late at night! Nancy Holder left us on such a cliffhanger and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book!

****

PS - I love the new cover so much better than this one! Grr, now I need to repurchase!

The Maze Runner - James Dashner

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is black. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Anyone who likes and enjoys The Hunger Games will really enjoy this novel! I love how it's written in Thomas' point of view, it's a nice change from the constant girl opinions. I thought the idea was very interesting and well-executed by the author which I was really happy with. There's just enough action and adventure that it doesn't seem overdone. Thomas is a really interesting character, as are the other boys and I found myself wanting to know more about it.

****

My Soul to Save - Rachel Vincent

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld — a consequence they can’t possibly understand. Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk...

I really loved the first book, I was really excited to read this one. I have to say that the second book in this series left some to be desired. I thought the characters were just okay, they didn't make me love or hate them any more or any less. I still feel Nash is a bit blah, and I'm still a hundred percent team Tod.

Overall, the story and plot was good, but for some reason I just couldn't get into it. Kaylee was kind of obnoxious and I feel like she's a bit too sacrificial to others. It was okay, but I'm not dying to get the third book in the series, My Soul to Keep.

***