Young Adult

Review: My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

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Soul Screamers #1

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent, UK edition

Title: My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  MiraInk (1st January 2011)
Blurb:

Something is wrong with Kaylee Cavanaugh . . .

She can sense when someone near her is about to die. And when it happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest boy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about the dark forces behind Kaylee’s power than she does.

And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason and only Kaylee knows who’ll be next, she realises that finding a boyfriend is the least of her worries!

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Review:

My Soul to Take is the first book in Rachel Vincent’s YA series Soul Screamers.

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Review: Tempted by P.C. and Kristin Cast

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House of Night #6

Tempted by P.C. and Kristin Cast, UK edition cover.

Title: Tempted (A House of Night Novel #6)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (27th April 2010)
Blurb:

This blood smelled too dark. Too thick. There was too much of something in that wasn’t human. But it was still blood, and it drew her, even though she knew the wrongness of it deep in her soul.

Dangerous secrets come between Zoey and Stevie Rae, putting the House of Night at great risk. Stevie Rae, with her super red vamp powers, thought she could handle keeping stuff from her BFF, but her latest secret is a big one. Zoey’s left with trust issues while she needs her friends – and boyfriends – like never before.

Zoey banished malevolent immortal Kalona from Tulsa, but the battle is far from over. He now seeks power at the highest levels, and the Vampyre High Council is falling under his thrall. Without Zoey’s help, the world could still burn in the fiery hell of Aphrodite’s visions. And will Zoey’s connection with A-ya, a Cherokee maiden who tempted Kalona in ages past, help or hinder her resistance to the dangerously seductive immortal?

Two girls walk a tightrope between good and evil. And their choices will see everything they love saved – or destroyed.

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Review:

Tempted is the sixth book in P.C. and Kristin Cast’s House of Night series. The story starts almost directly after the events of Hunted, and as such this review will contain spoilers for previous books in the series. This book is a really good read; on a par with the previous books in the series.

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Review: The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

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Darkness Rising Trilogy #2

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong, UK edition cover.

Title: The Calling (Darkness Rising #2)
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (5th April 2012)
Blurb:

Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the sign of what she truly is – a skin walker. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows she will soon be able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents, including local bad boy Rafe, with whom she shares a powerful secret.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee their homes during a forest fire they suspect was set deliberately. Stranded in the wilderness of Vancouver Island, only their extraordinary abilities can help them get back home. But can Maya really trust her friends? And can she learn how to control her dangerous gift, before it controls her?

Rating: ***** (5 stars)

Review:

The Calling is the second book in the Darkness Rising Trilogy by Kelley Armstrong. The Darkness Rising Trilogy is set in the same world as both Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld (an adult series) and The Darkest Powers Trilogy. There is the suggestion that both The Darkest Powers Trilogy and the Darkness Rising Trilogy may become interlinked in later books on Kelley Armstrong’s website.

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Review: Hunted by P.C. and Kristin Cast

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House of Night # 5

Hunted by P.C. and Kristin Cast, UK edition cover.

Title: Hunted (A House of Night Novel #5)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (27th April 2010)
Blurb:

The door close with a sickening thud of finality, shutting my friends out and leaving me alone with my enemy, a fallen angel, and the monstrous bird creature his ancient lust had created. Then I did something I’d only done twice before in my life. I fainted.

It’s all happening, though Zoey Redbird wishes it wasn’t. She has her friends back, which is great. But a dark angel has taken over the House of Night, supported by High Priestess Neferet. Not so great. This leave Zoey hiding out with the (supposedly friendly) red fledglings in Tulsa’s prohibition era tunnels. The not greatness continues.

Naturally, Zoey also has boy issues to stress her out, with a chace to make up with super-hot-ex Erik. But thoughts of the archer that died, semi-permanently, in her arms keep distracting her. Then he shows up as Neferet’s newest minion. Well, hell. Zoey and her friends will need a plan to put things right, and soon, if she can just keep her head and her heart intact.

Rating:**** (4 stars)

Review:

Hunted is the fifth book in P.C. and Kristin Cast’s House of Night series. The story takes up hours after the events of Untamed, as such this review may contain spoilers. The storyline of Hunted kept me really entertained, and whilst it didn’t have me quite as hooked as Untamed it wasn’t far off.

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Review: SpellBound by Rachel Hawkins

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Hex Hall #3

SpellBound by Rachel Hawkins, UK edition cover.

Title: Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Simon Pulse (29th March 2012)
Blurb:

Sometimes Sophie Mercer wishes she could go back to before she started Hex Hall, the school for magical Prodigium. In one year she’s gone from average girl-next-door to discovering she’s a demon with extraordinary powers. And, just as she is starting to get her head around that, the Prodigium Council strip away her magic and kidnap her friends, leaving her defenceless and alone.

Now, stranded at the mercy of the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who want to destroy all Prodigium, Sophie could really use a little magical help. But the Brannicks have a few revelations of their own, and Sophie’s world is turned upside down . . . again.

Can Sophie find her friends, regain her powers and take on the bad guys and win? Or will this final battle be one step too far?

Rating:**** (4 stars)

Review:

SpellBound is the third book in Rachel Hawkins’s fantastic Hex Hall series. We see Sophie continue her journey – did this start just two books ago – with lots of twists and turns along the way.

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Review: Raising Demons by Rachel Hawkins

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Hex Hall #2

Raising Demons by Rachel Hawkins, UK edition cover.

Title: Raising Demons (Hex Hall Book 2)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  Simon Pulse (28th August 2010)
Blurb:

Sophie Mercer’s first term at Hex Hall was quite eventful. First, her evil grandmother’s ghost haunted her every move, then her best friend was accused of murder and, finally, Archer Cross (aka The Boy Of Her Dreams) turned out to be an undercover demon hunter; which would have been fine, if Sophie hadn’t been the demon he was hunting . . .

Sophie is hoping for a quieter summer, but as she’s spending it with her dad – who just happens to be Head of The Council if Prodigium – at the headquarters of all-things-magical, that’s not going to happen. And, as she struggles with her new demon powers, Sophie finds herself surrounded by dark magic and conspiracies. The only way things could get more complicated would be if Archer Cross appeared again. But he wouldn’t . . . would he?

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Review:

Raising Demons is the follow-up to Rachel Hawkins’ debut novel Hex Hall and the second book in the Hex Hall series. The story begins a semester after the events of Hex Hall.

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Review: Black Heart by Holly Black

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The Curse Workers Book 3

Black Heart by Holly Black, UK edition cover.

Title: Black Heart (Curse Workers Book 3)
Author: Holly Black
Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  Orion Publishing Group (19th April 2012)
Blurb:

Cassel Sharpe knows that he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong is blurred. When the Fed’s ask Cassel to do one of the things he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s the truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet – this time on love.

Rating:***** (5 stars)

Review:

Black Heart is the third and final instalment of The Curse Worker Trilogy by Holly Black. We follow Cassel Sharpe, as he decides what do with his life and who he can trust. Cassel has come a long way from White Cat.

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Review: The Eternal Kiss

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13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire

The Eternal Kiss ed. by Trisha Telep

Title: The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire
Editor: Trisha Telep
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: RP Teens (6th August 2009)
Blurb:

It’s hot. It’s irresistible. It’s dangerous. It’s an Eternal Kiss.

Supernatural forces and desires come alive in these thirteen vampire tales. Like love, the adventures are never safe and hungers never die. And chances are taken. If you are seduced by the mystery of the heart, beating for a destiny unknown, you will helplessly follow the characters in this collection – longing for one to call their own.

Rating:**** (4 stars)

Review:

The Eternal Kiss is an interesting collection of vampire tales brought together in one brilliant volume – twelve of which are original to the anthology.

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Review: Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast

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House of Night #4

Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast, UK edition cover.

Title: Untamed (A House of Night Novel #4)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (4th June 2009)
Blurb:

‘I saw the end of everything’ Aphrodite’s voice was as haunted as her face. ‘I saw all of it happening because you were dead, Zoey. Your death made it happen.’ ‘Ah, hell,’ I said and then my knees gave way and I had to sit down.

A week ago Zoey had a group of special friends, three boyfriends and a (kinda) clear conscience. Now she has none of the above. Luckily, ice-queen Aphrodite is showing signs of melting and ex-roomie Stevie Rae isn’t as dead as she’d thought. Though Stevie Rae’s now hanging out in tunnels with freaks – totally gross.

Assuming she can get them to listen, Zoey will need all her friends as events take a frightening turn at the House of Night school for vampyres. Shocking true intentions are about to come to light, loyalties will be tested and an ancient evil is about to rise again.

Some days being special just doesn’t seem all that . . .

Rating:**** (4 stars)

Review:

Untamed is the fourth book in P.C. and Kristin Cast’s epic House of Night series. This book is brilliant; I almost gave it five stars. The narrative begins a couple of days after the events of Chosen.

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Review: Chosen by P.C. and Kristin Cast

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House of Night #3

Chosen by P.C. and Kristin Cast, UK edition.

Title: Chosen (A House of Night Novel #3)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre:Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (27th April 2010)
Blurb:

I guess it had gone okay with Stevie Rae. I mean, she had agreed to meet me tomorrow. And she hadn’t tried to bite me, which was a plus. Of course, the whole trying-to-eat-the-street-person thing was highly disturbing . . .

Zoey’s best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead – in an eww! zombie! kind of way, not in a cool vampyre kind of way. She’s struggling to retain her humanity and Zoey doesn’t have a clue how to help. But she does know that anything they discover must be kept secret.

Unfortunately, trust has become a rare commodity. Sinister forces are at work in the House of Night, where the line between friend and enemy is becoming dangerously blurred.

Rating:**** (4 stars)

Review:

Chosen is the third book in P.C. and Kristin Cast’s House of Night series, and like Betrayed the story takes up pretty much from the end of the previous book (although an indeterminate amount of time has passed).

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