Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton


Release Date: February 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal - Fantasy
Pages: 464
Source: Around the World Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.


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The concept of good vs. evil always fascinates me. Here lately I've came across some authors who just could not pull it off as well as I hoped they would. That's not the case with Courtney's writing. She won my heart over with her in-depth storyline of what Ellie is, what she's done in her past lives, and what her and Will both will be facing.

You are first thrown into Ellie's life. Which I won't lie - I wasn't exactly ecstatic when I first started reading. The narrative didn't really grab me, and I felt that Ellie's 'normal life' sometimes lagged. I wasn't a huge fan of Ellie's circle of friends. (Go away, Logan!) The only one I enjoyed was Kate so this could be why I was a bit iffy on the intro. Then Ellie's dreams started happening. I suddenly was sucked into this world of this bad ass girl who fought off hideous creatures, and a guy who was by her side. 

One thing I LOVED was when Will's character was introduced, Ellie didn't swoon at her feet and instantly want him in her pants. I think we can all agree that type of storyline is way over-played lately. Will was fantastic. He is who he is. He's sarcastic, grumpy, and has a mind set of what needs to happen. Acting like a human as Ellie drags him along with her isn't exactly in his plans. This why I loved these two characters together. I felt like I got to know Ellie so much better when she was with Will and vice versa. They really brought out each other.

The background story and pace of this novel is worth the four hundred and some odd pages that it is. The action - oh the action! I couldn't read it fast enough. When I thought nothing else could happen, Courtney threw a whammy that has me so intrigued to get my hands on the second book. I want to know more about this Cadan fellow, and especially what is going on with Ellie's father who I can't decide if he may possibly be evil or just a real jerk.

All in all, Angelfire is the start of a fantastic new series that all paranormal and fantasy lovers should not miss out on!

Courtney Allison Moulton lives in Michigan, where she is a photographer and spends all her free time riding and showing horses. Angelfire is her first novel.


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♥amber

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa 
(Book #2 in the Iron Fey Series)


Released: August 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal - Fey
Pages: 359
Source: Library

Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.


Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.







---Just like in the first book, I was so excited to dip right back into Julie Kagawa's imagination and get to see all the characters I had loved. There is one thing I noticed about the plot, and that there is never a dull moment. There is always something happening to Meghan, some sort of road block or new discovery that is sure to keep all readers on their toes when they dip into this series.
In the first book we learned that the Iron Fey was put into the fey realm due to the ever-growing technology we in the mortal world seem to be so obsessed with. I thought that was such an interesting and a refreshing concept to have in a book because it is SO true. I am not a tech-savvy person, and I never really plan to be because it's not my thing, but I loved how so many realistic things are incorporated in this other world. 
There's not much of the plot I can discuss without giving away something, but like I mentioned before, Julie knows how to keep the pages of turning, and there is a lot of action in this story. With the action and battles, there is also the romance side of it. Now I know without a doubt that Puck and Meghan have more of a BFF relationship, and it'll probably stick that way, and I'm glad about it. I really, really am. My love for Puck doesn't make me hate on Ash at all. I think he's a great character, but I haven't really been won over by the two of them being together. I see a connection, just not a strong enough one yet. But hey, there are still two more books that can convince me of this otherwise.
Anyhoo, for the second book in a series, which is always the hardest to win me over for some reason, this did not disappoint at all! I am so anxious to get my hands on the third book, and thankfully it comes out soon because I don't think I could wait much longer to find out what's going to happen next!
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♥amber

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan


Released: June 2010
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Genre:Young Adult - Contemporary - Romance
Pages:272
Source: Publisher


Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

Seventeen-year-old Bronwen Oliver doesn't just want a family. She has one of those, and there's nothing terribly wrong with them apart from bickering grandparents, an image-obsessed mother and a brother she describes simply as Jesus. But there's no natural sense of connection between Bronwen and her family, leaving her with the belief -- and the hope -- that she was switched at birth, that she was never supposed to be Bronwen Oliver but someone else entirely.


When she begins dating college senior Jared Sondervan, she finds herself thoroughly embraced by the loving family she has always wanted and does not hesitate to say yes when Jared proposes on her 18th birhday. Plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her junior year of college become plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her freshman year of college. And a wedding so soon isn't exactly what Bronwen wants. But Jared is. And his family is. Or so she thinks.

Before Bronwen can determine what she truly wants, she must first determine who she truly is, and the answer, she discovers, is only partially what she thought it was. She wasn't switched at birth, but she's also not Bronwen Oliver and hasn't been for a very long time.

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If you're looking for a fun charming read then I've found it for you. Meet Phoebe Lilywhite. A daughter to a wonderful family that doesn't mind her big teeth or want her to keep dying her hair blonde. At least, that's what seventeen year old Bronwen Oliver likes to sometimes dream she is. Being switched at birth is the only explanation of why her and her mother have nothing in common.

Bronwen's voice really made this book. It was catchy, up beat and full of witty moments. The way she viewed her family had me cracking up. I think we can all relate to a moment where we thought we were adopted. (Or you could be like me, and have a lovely older sister who made you believe you in fact were!) A real family life is something Bronwen never really thought she have since her father's death. Then Jared and his fun-loving family comes along and Bronwen finally finds the life she's been so desperately seeking.

Or has she?

While slightly predictable, you go on the journey with Bronwen through this very cute romance that her and Jared hold. During their relationship you get to know Bronwen outside of the sarcastic front she shows off to everyone. I love how she made mistakes and knew when she had. I loved how she kept questioning her actions and wondering if she should get married to Jared. McCahan did a wonderful job on creating such a well rounded character that I think many teens and non-teens will be able to relate to.

My only compliant is that I thought the ending was a bit rushed. I wish it would have been developed more, but none the less I really enjoyed this read and suggest you get yourself a copy!

♥amber

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting


Released: March 2010
Publisher: HaperCollins
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal - Thriller
Pages: 336
Source: Bought


Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.



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This is the perfect read for those who are starting to shy away from paranormal and for those that are in the mood for an absolute page-turner. Kimberly Derting weaves a thrilling mystery of one girl's gift that could quite possibly end her life.

Violet has a great support team when it comes to her gift. Her immediate family knows of her gift along with her best friend, Jay. The relationship between the two was one of the best I've read in a while. They've been best friends since childhood and I think anyone teenager or adult can relate to at some point in your life you've fallen for your best friend. Jay is another male character who I was crushing on. I loved how protective he was when it came to Violet and making sure she was safe.

I've always wanted a supernatural type of power. I think Violet's power is one I'd pass on. The ability to sense the dead around you really creeped me out. Add that with the fact that this story is written in third person which allows us to get into the killer's mind - well, I was a bit scared to walk in the dark. None the less, this book kept me on my toes as Violet was trying to track down the person responsible for ending the lives of many girls in the area she lives in.

Kimberly Derting has written a thriller of a debut novel which I'm sure will ground her a great fan base and have many people anticipating the sequel, Desires of the Dead, coming out next year.

♥amber

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young


Released: February 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 272
Source: Around The World Tours


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn’t enough responsibility!


Tessa Crimson’s the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad–turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn’t be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!


When Tessa’s own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa’s sneaky ways end in catastrophe?


The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it?

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Going into this book I knew it would be cute and judging by the cover even a little scandelous. At first I wasn't for sure how much I would like it. Tessa is the overly perky cheerleader who I knew would at some point really get on my nerves. Plus the whole idea that these cheerleaders had all this spy equipment and all the ways they snuck into places was far fetched.

But holy cannoli! After just a few chapters I ate this book up with a spoon. It was simply delicious in so many ways. Sure Tessa is like I said before an overly perky cheerleader, but she has her eye on the prize. The prize would be making the Smitten Kittens look good. I'm use to reading about the cheerleaders that are either dumb as rocks or are complete snatches. I'm glad that this one showed a different light between a head cheerleader and friends.

I don't think there was ever a dull moment throughout this entire read. There were so many laugh out loud moments with all the crazy situations the Smitten Kittens have during their missions. I have to point out all the snappy dialogue and the unique sayings that Tessa uses instead of cursing. Even as I was trying to think of how I would describe the relationship between her and her boyfriend, Aiden, the first thing that popped into mind is how they are so strawberry smoothie. (And the moments between the two do get a little hot, but not in an overly done type of way.) I like how the most perfect couple entered trouble hood when new guy Christian (who I thought was a creep from the beginning) comes into the story.

Overall Suzanne Young delivered a fantastic debut novel that had me craving for more! The ending took me by complete surprise and after I was done I wanted to read the next one immediately. (And even made me want to go on a mission of my own to kidnap this second book.) I know this read probably isn't for everyone because it is a very perky cute read, but for those that enjoy that type - you need to get this one ASAP!

♥amber