The Reckoning

I took a few days off to catch up on school, but I am back and here is a review just for you!

The Reckoning

Kelley Armstrong

HarperCollins

$17.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

FTC: I purchased this book.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal.

But normal is one thing I'm not.

For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf.

Not normal.

My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently.

Definitely not normal.

And finally, I'm a genetically altered necro-mancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying.

As far away from normal as it gets.

My Thoughts:

Thise was a good ending to the series. I love reading final books in series because you know that you are going to be done. Kellley Armstrong did a good job of wrapping up her Darkest Powers Series. The Reckoning offered much more drama than the previous books. There was never a dull moment for Chloe and her friends. There was something waiting to get them around every corner. I was instantly drawn into the book, I had a hard time keeping up with the plot twists. My only problem with the book was the ambiguous ending. Kelley left the ending open to the reader's interpretation. I wanted her to completely end the story, but the ending she did give was sufficient.

Recommendations:

Anyone who is loving the series.

Age: 14 and up

Grade: A-

Fallen

Fallen

Lauren Kate

Random House

$17.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, WHERE every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.

It’s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there’s a reason to be here—though she doesn’t know what it is. And Daniel’s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It’s really a protective device that he’s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.

Why?

The book looks interesting, and I am immediately draw in by the cover

Psych Major Syndrome

Psych Major Syndrome

Alicia Thompson

Hyperion

$16.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

FTC: I borrowed this book from the library.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

Using the skills you've learned so far in Introduction to Psychology, please write a brief self-assessment describing how things are going in your freshman year.

Presenting Concerns:

The Patient, Leigh Nolan (that would be me), has just started her first year at Stiles College. She has decided to major in psychology (even though her parents would rather she study Tarot cards, not Rorschach blots).

Patient has always been very good at helping her friends with their problems, but when it comes to solving her own...not so much.

Patient has a tendency to overanalyze things, particularly when the opposite sex is involved. Like why doesn't Andrew, her boyfriend of over a year, ever invite her to spend the night? Or why can't she commit to taking the next step in their relationship? And why does his roommate Nathan dislike her so much? More importantly, why did Nathan have a starring role in a much-more-than-friendly dream?

Aggravating factors include hyper-competitive fellow psych majors, a professor who's badly in need of her own psychoanalysis, and mentoring a middle-school-aged girl who thinks Patient is, in a word, naive.

Diagnosis:

Psych Major Syndrome

My Thoughts:

This book was really interesting. I am actually minoring in psychology so it was fun to read this book and understand the concepts addressed. Leigh was kind of neurotic, but very relateable. I liked actually reading a book about a character closer to my age. Alicia Thompson did an amazing job of creating a vulnerable and relateable title character. I think my favorite part of the book was the psychology terms at the beginning of the chapters. They added some depth and prepared the reader for what was going to happen in the chapter. The book addressed some very touchy subjects, in a manner that worked. I loved the way it turned out, and really enjoyed reading the book.

Recommendation:

Anyone who needs to do a little psychoanalysis on themselves....

AgeL 15 and up

Grade: A

Early to Death, Early to Rise

Early to Death, Early to Rise

Kim Harrison

HarperCollins

$16.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

Release Date: Tomorrow 5/25

No synopsis for this book on Barnes...

Why?

I absolutely loved the debut book in this series Once Dead, Twice Shy! Kim Harrison is a phenomenal author and she brings great stories to life. Madison is an amazing character and I can relate to her sometime stubborn attitude. I cannot wait to get this book tomorrow. If you haven't read Once Dead, Twice Shy there is still time for you to go pick it up today!!!!

Heartless

Heartless

Sara Shepard

HarperCollins

$16.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

FTC: I borrowed this book from a friend.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

In picturesque Roaewood, Pennsylvania, neighbors gossip over picket fences, and gleaming SUVs sit in every crushed-granite driveway. But recently, friendly smiles have been replaced with suspicious glares and accusatory whispers—and it's all because Hanna, Aria, Emily, and Spencer just can't keep their mouths shut. . . .

First they claimed they found a dead body in the woods behind Spencer's house, only to have it vanish without a trace. Then when the same woods went up in flames, they swore they saw someone who's supposed to be dead rise from the ashes. And even after all that, the pretty little liars are still playing with fire.

Hanna's trading in her Dior trench for a straitjacket. Aria's trying to contact the dead. Emily's dumped her boyfriend and is skipping town . . . again. And Spencer thinks someone in her family has gotten away with murder.

The friends insist they're telling the truth about what they saw, but all of Rosewood thinks they're simply out for attention—and nobody likes a girl who cries wolf. So when the big bad killer comes after the girls, will anyone believe them . . . or will they be the next to disappear?

My Thoughts:

What can I say about this book, that I haven't already said about the other 6 before it. Of course I loved this book, the series is phenomenal and I don't know how but in each installment Sara Shepard brings something new. I thought I had this book figured out, and then it hit me in the end, and I was completely wrong. I still have my suspicions, and I cannot wait to finish the series next month. Heartless brought new disasters for each of the girls. I liked the controversy in the book, and how the town as started portraying the girls. I think this provided an extra edge to the book. I absolutely love the suspense in the book, I could barely put it down, and if I did it was not for long. Sara Shepard threw in some curveballs that I could not believe. This book was so fun to read because I never knew what was going to happen.

Recommendations:

Now that this is going to be a show I think everyone should read the series.

Grade: A

Age: 15 and up

Kiss and Blog

Kiss and Blog

Alyson Noel

St. Martin's Press

$9.99 U.S.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

What's the best revenge when your best friend you for the popular crowd? Alyson Noel reveals all in her hot new young adult novel.

Why?

The cover is bright and fun, and everyone knows something about betrayal so this book is relateable for everyone.

Wish

Wish

Alexandra Bullen

Scholastic Inc.

$17.99 U.S. (Hardback)

FTC: I received this book from the publisher with the understanding that I would provide an honest review for no compensation.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

For broken-hearted Olivia Larsen, nothing can change the fact that her twin sister, Violet, is gone... until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn't just look magical; it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia wants is her sister back.

With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon discover, they have two more dresses-and two more wishes left. But magic can't solve everything, and Olivia is forced to confront her ghosts to learn how to laugh, love, and live again.

In a breathtaking debut from Alexandra Bullen, WISH asks the question: If you could have anything, what would you wish for?

My Thoughts:

Wish was absolutely adorable! It took me a few chapters to really get into the story, but then I was hooked. Alexandra Bullen did an amazing job with her debut novel. Olivia is one of the most relateable characters I have ever read about. I felt like I knew the emotions she went through at school, and how sometimes it is so hard just to fit in. Violet on teh other hand took some getting used to. When she first came into the story, I was not a fan because she was bossy, but her character grew on me. I liked the idea of wishes being given but no just to a Cinderella character. I think Wish took an idea we have all heard before and transformed it into something different completely. The character development was amazing in the book. Each character fit well with the others and they played well off of eachother. This was a fun book to read.

Recommendations:

Anyone looking for a cute read.

Grade: A

Age: 14 and up