Review: Dead Rules by Randy Russell

Title: Dead Rules

Author: Randy Russell

Series: N/A

Format: Hardcover (376 pages)

Release Date: June 21, 2011

Genre(s): Paranormal Romance, Drama, YA, Thriller/Horror/Suspense

Rating:

 

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Summary

Till death
Jana Webster and Michael Haynes were in love. They were destined to be together forever.

Do
But Jana's destiny was fatally flawed. And now she's in Dead School, where Mars Dreamcote lurks in the back of the classroom, with his beguiling blue eyes, mysterious smile, and irresistibly warm touch.

Us
Michael and Jana were incomplete without each other. There was no room for Mars in Jana's life—or death—story. Jana was sure Michael would rush to her side soon.

Part
But things aren't going according to Jana's plan. So Jana decides to do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true—no matter what rules she has to break.

Source

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Review

Plot: The plot is very simple, Jana Webster has died and can not fully grasp her surroundings until her still living boyfriend, Michael, is along with her in Dead School. The plot seemed innocent at first. To me, Jana was so in love with Michael, she wished he would be beside her as she went through this process anyone would be scared about. However, as the story progressed, I knew it was more of an obsession than love. We follow Jana for a majority of the time, but it isn't until we see other characters' POVs that we see something is wrong. Jana will do and has done anything to get Michael to be beside her in the afterlife. The plot takes a bunch of twists and turns with many of the characters to keep you intrigued along with Jana's.

Character(s): Jana - I don't know if it is me, but again, I couldn't connect with Jana. It really felt like you were just reading her story. I was invested more in the other characters and what was going to happen, but Jana was too extreme for me to relate or feel empathetic towards. She's so blind by what she assumes is her happily ever after, she doesn't focus on what's in front of her. I don't know if this is due to the fact she just doesn't want to grasp that she died or that she really was obsessed with him, but it seemed so ridiculous the measures she would go to for a boyfriend. But maybe that was just it, maybe she truly does feel he is the only thing she has.
Mars - I can't say much about him with giving stuff away, but I can say looks can be deceiving. Mars seems like a total sweetheart and misunderstood because of his position of a Slider. He gets left behind and is the in between for Jana to get to Michael, which is a shame. I loved his story more and wish it could have been fully in his view with just Jana as the new girl and seeing her story play out through his eyes. But at the same time, it is a nice lesson to show to not be blinded by what you know but take risks with people or to not believe that there is only one form of happiness in one person. Mars is such an intriguing character and I wish there was more of him than I got.

Cover: The cover describes the theme of the book. It is elegantly disturbing. The eyes of the girl kind of remind me of Jana's character. She is visually beautiful and elegant, but there's a darkness and disturbance from her childhood and experience that makes her appearance terrifying at times.

Closing Thoughts: I'm giving this book a three out of four because this is the only time I thought a book truly needed a sequel. Many times, I just want another installment, but this one kind of needs one. The ending was left so open for all of the characters and there was no true development of Jana other than her knowledge to certain things that occurred. Plus, I want to know what happens to Mars in the long run. Even if Jana is not in it, I want to know his story. It is a beautiful book and I'll recommend it if you're looking for more of a dark read, but just be ready for many questions risen and only some answered.

Where to find Randy:

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Peace and Fangs,

Alisha

Review: Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Title: Stardust

Author: Neil Gaiman

Series: N/A

Format: E-book (160 pages)

Release Date: first published: 1998, E-book published: June 13, 2009

Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance, Action/Adventure, YA

Rating:

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Summary

The fascinating and engaging new novel from Neil Gaiman, one of the premier writers of fantasy, is here. Stardust is a fantasy tale extravaganza, a mythical quest for love, starting with the heart's desire of a young man and his eventual travels throughout the world of Faerie. In the tradition of his Neverwhere and graphic novel The Books of Magic, Gaiman twines threads of several plotlines deftly together to form a Dunsanianlike fairy tale of fellowship, passion, and humanity's place in an always unpredictable and continuously changing, magical world. 

During the Victorian era, in the small village of Wall, a stone barrier separates our world from the land of Faerie. Although there is a break in the bulwark, which is constantly guarded by two townsmen with cudgels, there are hardly ever any troubles between the two realms. Once every nine years, during "the Market," villagers and outsiders are allowed to enter Faerie and sell, buy, and trade with the magical inhabitants. During the Market, young Dunstan Thorn is given his "heart's desire" and soon finds himself making love to an alluring but cursed faerie maiden.

Dunstan returns to Wall to marry Daisy Hempstock, but nine months later an infant is found at the crack in the barrier with a card pinned to its blanket reading: Tristan Thorn. Tristan grows to manhood as a human, but certain faerie features and abilities make themselves known. He falls in love with the standoffish Victoria Forester, and in the heat of a romantic moment promises her anything she might wish. As they watch a star fall toearth,Victoria jokingly promises that she will marry Tristan if he returns with the star.

True to his own oath, Tristan sets out to find the star for his beloved. Once in Faerie, his mystical heritage comes in handy as he recalls places and history that he's never been formally taught. However, Tristan isn't the only one hunting for the star, and his competitors are decidedly unfriendly. An ancient trio of witch-queens called the Lilim need the star's heart to add years of youth to their already near-immortal lives, and will stop at nothing to gain what they want. Also in search of the star are the three remaining devious and deadly sons of the Lord of Stormhold, for therein lies the power of their family. Eventually, though, Tristan discovers the fallen star, which appears as a lovely young woman with a broken leg, and though he's forced to take her with him against her will, he eventually becomes her sworn protector. Source

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Review

Plot: In Stardust, we follow Tristan who is the son of Dunstan and a cursed faerie. He grows up in a human village but is isolated because of his faerie characteristics. He falls for Victoria who he promises anything to in exchange for her hand. She tells him she would love a fallen star they both see and he sets out to claim it. Along the way, he finds he is not the only one who wants to retrieve the star. The story is a classic and definitely owns up to it. The pacing was not slow but gradual. I loved how the story switches from Tristan's father's life, to set up the story, and then flowed to Tristan to describe what has become of  Dunstan's "heart's desire". The village and Faerie seems like the divide for Tristan between where he believes is his life and where he truly belongs. I can't say much but I can believe why they call this book a classic.

Character(s): Tristan - I only really want to talk about Tristan because he is the only central character of the book. I loved how Neil created Tristan as a misfit but brave as well. I had the sense that Tristan knew he didn't belong in the village and I think finding the star was the way for him to find out where he belonged. I'm glad he still had love for his family, but also needed to find himself since he truly didn't fit with them completely. He is very naive and falls hard for people, but he means the best. At some points, he is very blind to what goes on around him and the feelings of others, but it is evident he would soon find out. I won't say any spoilers but when he does find out feelings, it seems...rushed. Like he saw the true feelings of both people and went with the one who favored him.

Cover: I don't know if this is the original cover, but it is gorgeous. I love the whimsical feel along with just the forest because it reminds me of Faerie.

 

 

Closing Thoughts: I'm giving this book a four out of four because it truly deserves nothing less. It is an amazing book to read because of the lessons it teaches you. I won't say what I learned because it seems like the type of book where you take away from it what you need to. This book has amazing characters and a fantasy world that is simplistic but beautifully described. If you're looking for a book with fantasy but also Old Age, then this is it.

Where to find Neil:

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Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Review: Generation Dead (Generation Dead #1) by Daniel Waters

Title: Generation Dead

Author: Daniel Waters

Series: Generation Dead
            1. Generation Dead
            2. Kiss of Life
            3. Passing Strange

Format: Hardcover (392  pages)

Release Date: May 6, 2008

Genre(s): YA, Paranormal Romance, Horror, Fantasy, Drama

Rating:

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Summary

Phoebe Kendall is just your typical Goth girl with a crush. He’s strong and silent…and dead.

All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. But when they come back to life, they are no longer the same. Feared and misunderstood, they are doing their best to blend into a society that doesn’t want them.

The administration at Oakvale High attempts to be more welcoming of the “differently biotic." But the students don’t want to take classes or eat in the cafeteria next to someone who isn’t breathing. And there are no laws that exist to protect the “living impaired” from the people who want them to disappear—for good.

When Phoebe falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of the dead kids, no one can believe it; not her best friend, Margi, and especially not her neighbor, Adam, the star of the football team. Adam has feelings for Phoebe that run much deeper than just friendship; he would do anything for her. But what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy? Source

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Review

Plot: In Generation Dead, zombies are not a sign of the end of the world nor are they a hidden creature. They live among the living and are only young Americans. I was very curious why this was happening to a select group, but there was very little actually discovered apparently. In the book, scientists are trying to find out why it is happening, but I wish there was some progression so the reader wasn't so confused on how there are zombies. Besides that, the book is set in third person but has multiple viewpoints throughout the book, but the main character followed is Phoebe. She has a crush on Tommy who is a living impaired student at her school. He becomes more of a spectacle when he wants to go out for the school's football team. Throughout the book, you can see one football player's animosity towards Tommy grow to the point where he plans to hurt him. There is a lot that goes on in a book, but is slow at times. It is hard to sum up the book because there were so many questions left unanswered and so many things that were happening.

Character(s): Phoebe - I'm not completely sure whether or not I like her. I loved that she stuck up for Tommy and the other living impaired, but I wondered if she would have still done it if she wasn't into Tommy. I wish they went more into Phoebe before meeting Tommy because it seemed like there was no life to Phoebe before Tommy and the living impaired walked into her school. She does have personality and some fire in her, but I also wish there was more than just living impaired on her brain sometimes.
Tommy - He was definitely a person I wish we followed more. I wish it was more in his viewpoint since we all know how humans feel and it would be nice to go just between first person POV with Phoebe and Tommy. At first, I thought he was a great guy but after Phoebe started questioning his actions and how he acted towards her, I didn't know if he was what I thought he was. Hopefully, we learn more about him in later books.
Adam - I have to talk about him because he is a favorite of mine. I loved how simple his life was but also how much of an underdog he is in the book even though other characters assume he is not. He has feelings for Phoebe but they go completely unrequited or not recognized because her focus is on Tommy. I honestly wish he got some good luck because he absolutely none in this book, even after he continually helped Phoebe out. I'm hoping he gets more credit and is actually in Phoebe's focus now.

Cover: I love this cover because it reminds me of The Ghost and the Goth cover. It's bright and colorful, which is great when you're finding summer reads, but also has the darkness of paranormal from the cheerleader. It's beautiful and glad the rest of the series' covers look awesome as well.

Closing Thoughts: I'm giving this book a three out of four because it was interesting to read but not enough..."wow" factor. I wish there was something huge that happened or that the characters had a little more obstacles, but this is just the first installment. I would still recommend this because it is a fun read, but it is just a bit slow sometimes. However, I'm still going forward with the rest of the series because I really want to see what happens to the characters after this first book.

Where to find Daniel:

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Peace and Fangs,

Alisha

Review: Juliet by Anne Fortier

Title: Juliet

Author: Anne Fortier

Series: N/A

Format: Paperback (461 pages)

Release Date: July 26, 2011

Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Adult, Drama, Romance, Mystery

Rating:

 

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Summary

When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy, she is told that it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a winding and perilous journey into the history of her ancestor Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo rocked the foundations of medieval Siena. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families immortalized in Shakespeare’s unforgettable blood feud, she begins to realize that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is the next target. It seems that the only one who can save Julie from her fate is Romeo—but where is he? Source

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Review

Plot: After the death of her grandmother, Julie inherits a key for a safety deposit box in Italy. She is intrigued but also a bit disappointed because her sister, who is the pure opposite of Julie, inherited much more of their grandmother's estate. Julie heads to Italy though and meets the family who her family feuded with long ago and whose history is also intertwined with her family's. I was glad to see that the author didn't fully make the book in Julie's point of view. I liked how she mixed it with various POV's and also switched from past to present. It was also interesting to see how she depicted Romeo and Giulietta. The progression of the story was a bit slow, but it did help the development of the characters and the revealations Julie has about her family's history.

Character(s): Julie - I didn't know whether or not I liked Julie. She wasn't a bad person or too goody-good. It was more of, I was invested in the story, but not invested in her. I loved the romance she had with Alessandro but I loved him more than her. She was a great character to have on the journey but it seemed she lacked in impact compared to the other characters.

Cover: I loved the cover because it has the transition between Julie and Giulietta. It is really simple and elegant, but also showing the historical theme of it.

 

 

 

Closing Thoughts: This review is very short, but I do give this book a four out of four. You can see how much research Anne has put into this book and that she wanted it to be perfect. The characters are very mysterious and very interesting, I loved the journey to why Julie had the key, what it was for, and answers to her family's past. It is slow in some parts but it is interesting to see the transition between past and present. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a new read.

Where to find Anne:

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Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Review: The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Title: The Secret Year

Author: Jennifer R. Hubbard

Series: N/A

Format: Hardcover (192 pages)

Release Date: January 7, 2010

Genre(s): YA, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Drama

Rating:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Summary

Take Romeo and Juliet. Add The Outsiders. Mix thoroughly. Colt and Julia were secretly together for an entire year and no one, not even Julia's boyfriend knew. They had nothing in common, with Julia in her country club world on Black Mountain and Colt from down on the flats, but it never mattered. Until Julia dies in a car accident, and Colt learns the price of secrecy. He can't mourn Julia openly, and he's tormented that he might have played a part in her death. When Julia's journal ends up in his hands, Colt relives their year together at the same time that he's desperately trying to forget her. But how do you get over someone who was never yours in the first place? Source

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Review

Plot: I was glad to get away from paranormal romance for a little bit and give this book a try. The story is set in a small town where there are the people on Black Mountain (rich and popular) and the people who are not (middle class/poor and not as popular). I was a little disappointed about the plot because it seemed like a "been there, done that" plot, but I was willing to give it a try. At first, it was interesting to see how Colt got along after Julia's death and how many of her loved ones didn't know about him. I will say that one family member finds out and it is interesting to see their interaction. Colt is hesitant to reveal who he was to Julia while that family member is just trying to find out facts. But, as the story progressed, it felt like Colt didn't want to get over Julia. It seemed as though no matter what happened or who he met, it was like Julia was a hanging thread to him. What I hated the most was it started to seem one sided. When i was reading the flashbacks and then reading the present, it seemed like Colt might have taken more out of it then he should have.

Character(s): Colt and Julia - I'm putting them together because this is how I think Colt keeps thinking throughout the book. It seemed like he couldn't give up that Julia was gone or that he needed to move on. Needless to say, he doesn't develop much with his obsession and when it seems like he does, it just seems like he just wants to find something else to take his mind off of Julia. I couldn't grasp that aspect and is only my real adversion to the book.

Cover: The book has a simple cover, which is what really drew me in. It looked a little mysterious and actually had models who looked like the characters. The simplicity of it is what truly makes it an interesting cover.

Closing Thoughts: I am giving this book a three out of four because I truly did like the book, it was just the characters who were fustrating. I always say development is key to characters, but in this instance, I could say it is refreshing...and fustrating. It gets you thinking about if the author did it on purpose because it is realistic fiction and it could be that he truly doesn't or want to get over Julia. But it is a very intriguing read for those who want something different.

Where to find Jennifer:

Website l Twitter l Goodreads

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Review: The Ghost and the Goth (The Ghost and the Goth #1) by Stacey Kade

Title: The Ghost and the Goth

Author: Stacey Kade

Series: The Ghost and the Goth
            1. The Ghost and the Goth
            2. Queen of the Dead
            3. Body and Soul

Format: Hardcover (281 pages)

Release Date: June 29, 2010

Genre(s): Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Humor

Rating:

 

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Summary

Alona Dare–Senior in high school, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, Homecoming Queen three years in a row, voted most likely to marry a movie star… and newly dead.

I’m the girl you hated in high school. Is it my fault I was born with it all-good looks, silky blond hair, a hot bod, and a keen sense of what everyone else should not be wearing? But my life isn’t perfect, especially since I died. Run over by a bus of band geeks—is there anything more humiliating? As it turns out, yes—watching your boyfriend and friends move on with life, only days after your funeral. And you wouldn’t believe what they’re saying about me now that they think I can’t hear them. To top it off, I’m starting to disappear, flickering in and out of existence. I don’t know where I go when I’m gone, but it’s not good. Where is that freaking white light already?

Will Killian–Senior in high school, outcast, dubbed “Will Kill” by the popular crowd for the unearthly aura around him, voted most likely to rob a bank…and a ghost-talker.

I can see, hear, and touch the dead. Unfortunately, they can also see, hear and touch me. Yeah, because surviving high school isn’t hard enough already. I’ve done my best to hide my “gift.” After all, my dad, who shared my ability, killed himself because of it when I was fifteen. But lately, pretending to be normal has gotten a lot harder. A new ghost—an anonymous, seething cloud of negative energy with the capacity to throw me around—is pursuing me with a vengeance. My mom, who knows nothing about what I can do, is worrying about the increase in odd incidents, my shrink is tossing around terms like “temporary confinement for psychiatric evaluation,” and my principal, who thinks I’m a disruption and a faker, is searching for every way possible to get rid of me. How many weeks until graduation? Source

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Review

Plot: I was excited about finally being able to read this book, but also very skeptical with it as well. It seemed from the plot that this book would be full of stereotypes and labels and it's a fine line to walk when it comes to books. However, I was happy that this book played on them very well and didn't make them stereotypical....stereotypes. Kade gave each character a back story and some substance rather than a character to fill the silence or to liven up a situation. The plot mostly follows Alona, who just passed away from being hit by a bus (Mean Girls popped in my mind at that scene), trying to find her way around her past life and how to get out of it. She goes to Killian, a classmate who is defined as a Goth loner, who she thinks can help her out as well as helps him in some ways. Besides the characters, the plot has a very strong backbone. By that, I mean it sticks with itself and doesn't have any pronounced plot holes. The plot flows through the book and many scenes only compliment what happens at the end of the book. It keeps you on the edge throughout because you want to know what the black cloud is, why Alona is defensive about her life and if anything will become of Alona and Killian.

Character(s): Killian - I put Killian first because he is a new character that I fell in love with. He is hilarious as well as loyal and brave. He has gone through a lot but still makes decisions logically and doesn't let the comments of others effect him. Many ghost whisperers are scared of what they have or talk to the dead in public and are barely noticed once they do. Killian is a realistic interpretation of what could happen to a ghost whisperer if they're continually caught talking to air or knowing private things about others. I like how Killian is used to his abilities but still doesn't know everything about them.
Alona - It seems like a given not to like Alona because she's supposed to be snotty and high maintenance. But even after the first book, I like her. You can already see her facade breaking down and see her finally face her past. Has she completely changed? Definitely not. But when she's with Killian and seeing her when she sees her mother, you see why Alona acts the way she does. I like how Kade gave her some room to develop but also didn't do it in one book since this is a series and it hasn't been too long since her death.

Cover: I loved seeing the cover during the summer because it is very bright and colorful, and looks like a great read for the summer. It draws you in to a story that, on the outside, seems happy and fun, but gives you a deep story that has those elements as well. Plus, the models on the front are dead on to the characters' appearances! That makes me a happy camper.

Closing Thoughts: All I have to say is that this is a great summer read. I'm glad I read it now because the summer sets the tone for it and you get completely immersed in it but it still feels like summer. The plot is fluid and builds to not only a great turning point but also to the rest of the series. The characters develop and grow but not entirely because they still have flaws and it is not the end of the journey. This is a great book to read at any time, but I would definitely recommend this for a summer read that is quick and refreshing!

Where to find Stacey:

Website l Twitter l Goodreads

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Review: The Vampire's Daughter (Of Light and Darkness #1) by Shayne Leighton

Title: The Vampire's Daughter

Author: Shayne Leighton

Series: Of Light and Darkness

      1. The Vampire's Daughter
      2. The Vampire's Reflection

Format: E-book (258 pages)

Release Date: June 28, 2011

Genre(s): YA, Paranormal Romance, Adventure/Action



Rating:

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Summary

When one human stands before an army of impossible obstacles, the likelihood of overcoming them in this coming-of-age modern fairytale may result in war between light and darkness.

Abandoned as an infant in Prague, naive and strong-willed Charlotte Ruzikova was raised by one of the last Vampires left alive. As a human, she knows no other home than the one nestled deep in the woods of Eastern Europe, where Witches drew spells of enchantment, Phasers threw tea parties, and Elves are the closest in kin. Charlotte has lived her life in the dark with her Guardian, content to having him to herself and reveling in his attention, until she's realizes she wants more...

Resident medical doctor and Vampire, Valek Ruzik fears the day his ward would come of age and blossom into a fine woman, and he is forced to confront his own motives as time is of the essence once his past catches up to him, and their lives become endangered...

As genocide and war threatens their secret society, the dictator in power is ready to wipe out Valek's race, but Charlotte will not allow that to happen. Fighting for the only one she's ever loved and truly believed in, she will do whatever it takes to save their love...before the sun comes up and light takes over. Source

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Review

Plot: The Vampire's Daughter follows the life of a young girl named Charlotte who is raised by a Vampire doctor, Valek. She is almost a woman and is noticing her attraction towards Valek and she is not the only one. As her attraction towards him grows, a new dictator could cut the new bond they are now forming with one another, and could ultimately lose any chance of being with Valek. This was definitely a new take on the human-vampire relationship. I was glad for a change and a little more reality into how a relationship like that would work. Charlotte was raised by Valek but she doesn't see him as a true father figure, more of a guardian. But that does come into controversy with some characters as the story progresses. I was glad the relationship was a large element in the story but loved that there was a reliable plot, which showed the truth in some and growth in others.

Character(s): Charlotte - Charlotte is definitely a new spin on heroines. I loved how strong-willed she was and how loyal she was towards Valek. I did wish she wasn't consumed with thoughts of Valek but then again I could forgive it since it was really just her and Valek. She kind of did play the damsel in distress but I was glad she did. Nowadays we see very independent heroines and I was glad to see someone who did need a little rescuing of her own and wasn't scared to ask for it. One thing I did love about Charlotte was her dominance in some scenes. After she confessed her feelings, she didn't go back on them, but rather stood her ground throughout the time following.
Valek - Valek is a very brooding character. (Thank you, Leighton!) I love the mysterious and brooding type that harbor so many secrets they're endless. At first, I was confused on his and Charlotte's (or Lottie's) relationship. At first, he did seem protective of her and very fatherly but as the story progressed and he saw Lottie's feelings for him, it changed. You could see his love for her turn intimate and it was strange but you got used to it as you could see that at one point he was her guardian but Lottie grew up and Valek's perspective of her changed.

Cover: I'm glad the eyes were the focal point. Every time Charlotte mentioned Valek's eyes, I always reverted back to the cover. I wished Valek looked a little younger on the cover since he looks about 24 in the book, but other than that, it's great! I love the darkness contrasting with the red and Valek's eyes...just beautiful!

Closing Thoughts: Overall, I give this book a big four nail polishes! It had a great plot turn that I was not expecting as well as the drama between Charlotte and Valek that arise. I'm glad this romance had more substance than just falling in love. They see the good and bad in one another and are willing to work through on top of the new dictator. I did talk mostly about the romance but the plot is a great one and starts this series off to a great start.

Where to find Shayne:

Website l Facebook l Twitter l Goodreads

Peace and Fangs,

Alisha