Review CAPTIVATE by Carrie Jones

CAPTIVATE
by Carrie Jones
To Be Published January 5th 2010 by Bloomsbury USA
Hardcover, 257 pages
http://www.needpixies.com/

Placement in the Pile: Top Picks

Summary:
*If you have not yet read NEED, you may want to skip the Summary, I will try to keep my review as unspoilery as possible...

Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town.

A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.

Review:
Wow! This book is a whirlwind. It takes you deeper into Zara's paranormal world and into the issues of dealing with her father and the other Pixies in her home town.

CAPTIVATE will do just that, captivate the reader with it's exciting new characters, shocking unexpected twists, and may make you start to re-think what you thought you knew about Pixies and their world!

True to form, it is a middle series book and leaves you completely longing for more, but at the same time it also leaves you totally satisfied with plot shockers that you weren't so sure about when they happened. (Vague enough for you?)

This is certainly a book you want to read! A fascinating sequel to one of the best paranormal books of 2009. Oh and the cover is equally as gorgeous as Need's!

Come back tomorrow for my fun short interview with Carrie!

I was sent this ARC by the publisher.

NEED by Carrie Jones

This post isn't a full review, but as I will be reviewing the second book in the series I thought I would bring you up to date with this first book.



NEED is one of my favorite YA paranormal romances that I read this year. As an added bonus, it just came out in paperback with a preview for the second book included! It's a great book to add to your Christmas list to prep you for the fabulous sequel CAPTIVATE (which I will review tomorrow!)

HERE is the link back to my review when I was blogging over at MyFavoriteAuthor. And HERE and HERE are links to my two part interview with the ever hilarious and wonderful Carrie Jones!

Fun Contest!

If you all remember I reviewed and had a great guest blog by the great debut author Rhonda Stapleton! Well here is another chance to win her book, and two other really great books! (Ones I am anxiously wanting to read!)



Win 1) A signed copy of STUPID CUPID by Rhonda Stapleton, 2) a signed copy of THE DARK DIVINE by Bree Despain, and 3) a signed copy of SCONES AND SENSIBILITY by Lindsay Eland!



Go to all three Author blogs and do the fun scavenger hunt questions and win! Here are links to the blogs!



http://lindsayeland.com/blog/
http://www.breebiesingerdespain.blogspot.com/
http://rhondastapleton.blogspot.com/

Good Luck!

Busy, Busy!

As I'm sure you've all noticed I have royally slacked in the blogging department lately. This time of year is busy for many of us, and it certainly has been for me!

But don't give up on me yet! I have one last amazing review and giveaway to share with you this year, then I will be out of town enjoying the holidays with my family. Stay tuned with us though, we haven't gone away forever, just so we can have time to regroup and enjoy our holidays too!

You Tell Me!

Hey guys!

So I've been blogging for a few months here with my good friend Guinevere and so I have a question for you!

You tell me:
What would make this blog better?
What do you like that we do?
What could we do to get you to send your friends over to this blog?

Get talking people!

-Aubrey

P.S. TerryLynnJohnson, I still need you to e-mail me your mailing address or I will have to pick another winner for my Stupid Cupid ARC giveaway!

Review MAGIC UNDER GLASS by Jaclyn Dolamore

MAGIC UNDER GLASS

by Jaclyn Dolamore

published:
December 22nd 2009 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (first published February 1st 2009)
Hardcover, 240 pages

Placement in Pile:

Reaching New Heights

Summary:

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.

Review:

An interesting read, and I definitely want to know what happens next. However, I had a hard time liking the right character for a while (the automaton was just kinda creepy for me at first), but by the end, I was totally rooting for him. I feel really bad for Hollin, and hope that a happy ending is in store for all of them. The writing was very beautiful, and the characters were intriguing and believable. It was on the shorter side, I would have been fine with another 50-100 pages. I guess I'll have to wait for the next one...

A fun, easy and unique read.

This was an ARC Aubrey received to review, we did not receive monetary compensation.

Review GREEN by Laura Peyton Roberts

GREEN
by Laura Peyton Roberts
January 12th 2010 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Hardcover, 272 Pages

Placement in the Pile: Reaching New Heights

Summary:
Turning thirteen starts off with a bang for Lily. Literally. A birthday present explodes on her porch . . . and soon after a trio of leprechauns (yes, leprechauns) appears in her bedroom. They whisk her away to a land of clover, piskies, a new friend, a cute boy, and lots of glimmering, glittering gold. A world of Green.

It turns out that Lily, like her grandmother before her, is next in line to be keeper for the Clan of Green, and in charge of all their gold. That is, if she passes three tests. And she has to pass them. Because if she doesn’t she may never get to go home again. She’ll be stuck with the Greens.

Forever.

Review:
I have never read anything by Laura Peyton Roberts before but when I read about this one I was really excited for it. Laura's writing is witty, funny and definitely true to her thirteen year old character. You feel for Lily from the very beginning. Her awkward appearance, the mean girls disliking her, her desire for a friend.

Then, with a literal explosion Lily is taken to a whole new world where she learns about her family's past, the reason for her strange wide-set eyes, and about a family she never knew she had. Facing gold lusting leprechauns, piskies (and yes that is how it is spelled in the book), a rival clan, a cute boy, and lots of magic, Lily is in for a big adventure.

I thought the book started a little slow for me, but then quickly picked up once Lily was in the leprechaun's world. This is definitely a fun book and worth reading. Anyone who likes Irish folklore, or needs a good fun getaway book will like this one!

I received this ARC from the publisher.

Review THE VAN ALEN LEGACY by Melissa de la Cruz

The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods #4)

by,

Melissa de la Cruz

Published:
October 6th 2009 by Hyperion Book CH
Hardcover, 369 pages

Placement in Pile:

Middle of the Stack, inching towards Reaching New Heights

Summary:

With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged. Young, fanged, and fabulous, Melissa de la Cruz's vampires unite in this highly anticipated fourth installment of the Blue Bloods series.

Review:

Grrr, grrrrr, really, really, grr. Was this series not originally proclaimed to be a 3 book series? Or was I misled back in the day when I first read book 1 & 2 thinking the 3rd one (that was coming out in a few months at the time) was going to be the last one. So why did I just read the 4th one and it STILL DIDN'T END?! It was good, and I liked some of what happened at the "end" (but not all). BUT - it didn't really end, which bugged me. I'm fine if I know a series is supposed to be a five or six or seven book series - if I know that up front. I just don't understand how a 3 book series ends up being 5 (or more...)??? But it was good, and worth reading, and I would really like to know how this all ends...

As for the book itself, it's typical Blue Bloods - lots of fangs, lots of fashion, lots of fierce fighting (how's that for alliteration?) and lots of false leads. (ha ha, got one more in!) It's a great series, and a very interesting "take" on vampires in a genre that is bursting at the seams. As I said, I am very curious to see how it all ends. (And hoping that it will, indeed, end. Soon. Like the next book. Does anyone know how many more there are? For real?) The characters are great, and are always throwing the reader for loops. I love getting to know them better, and to see how the romance between Schuyler, Jack, and Oliver plays out. (As well as some other characters, too) There are so many questions - some get answered, but then even more questions pop up. It is face-paced and intense, and will leave you wanting the next book!

If you like snarky humor, high society, an interesting plot, and hot vamps, this is a great series for you.

This was an ARC we received to review. I received no monetary compensation to review this book.