Review: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Darker Still by: Leanna Renee Hieber
Publication Date: November 8, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Page Count: 317
Format: Paperback Original
Series: Magic Most Foul #1
Genre: Historical, Paranormal Romance, Mystery
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads:

I was obsessed. It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.

There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.

I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still.

My Review:


I have The Picture of Dorian Gray sitting on my shelf and I have yet to read it. Having read Darker Still, I must pick it up soon! I adored the similarity to the Oscar Wilde classic. Usually, I don't prefer books written in diary form, but this one is an exception. The action was replayed in Natalie's words as if it was actually happening right there so the diary form didn't deplete the action.

This setting is New York City in the 1800's. This is probably my favorite time and place pairing in historical fiction. The wonders and perils of the city were portrayed in a fully descriptive and magical way.

Natalie is the type of girl who doesn't fit in anywhere. Mostly it's because she is mute, or so she thinks. I thought that she was just different and fit in with a different crowd. She soon finds that out when she joins the company of Ms. Northe and the life-like painting of Lord Denbury.

I thought it was great for Natalie to be able to talk with the real Denbury and not have to worry about her muteness. This gave her the strength she needed in the outside world. All of the runes and ancient script in Darker Still was so marvelously creepy and intriguing!

When I started the book, I thought it was a standalone, but alas, it will have more books as it is a series. I am utterly excited about it! There were some great hints in this book about the content of the next.  I can't wait to see what comes next in Natalie and Jonathan Denbury's story!

Official Rating:

Four Un-Birthday Cakes!

Review: Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne

Still Waters by: Emma Carlson Berne
Publication Date: December 20, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page Count: 212
Format: Paperback Original
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads:

Hannah can't wait to sneak off for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend, Colin. He's leaving for college soon, and Hannah wants their trip to the lake house to be one they'll never forget.

But once Hannah and Colin get there, things start to seem a bit...off. They can't find the town on any map. The house they are staying in looks as if someones been living there, even though it's been deserted for years. And Colin doesn't seem quite himself. As he grows more unstable, Hannah worries about Colin's dark side, and her own safety.
Nothing is as perfect as it seems, and what lies beneath may haunt her forever.

My Review:


I forewarn you that this book is one you won't want to read in the dark, when you are alone, or when it's completely silent around you. And most of all, in the middle of a storm. That being said, Still Waters was creepy, so creepy. Mysterious too, in the best way.


There really wasn't anything out of the ordinary in the first few chapters. Hannah's boyfriend, Colin, was leaving for Pratt University in a week and she had the idea of surprising him with a last minute trip to the Pine House that his family vacationed in when he was younger.


From the first mention of the Pine House, I  knew there was something off. Colin was acting all weird about it and I found myself frantically flipping pages to see what in the world was up with this place! And the town that surrounds the house is bizarre and eerily empty. It wasn't on any map. I got goosebumps several times when reading the descriptions of the woods and Pine House.


Hannah and Colin's relationship is the one of many people's dreams. She is the unpopular, seemingly plain girl, and he is the one with the girls swooning over him with his ever present camera. Things change, however, when they arrive at the house. Colin starts acting strange and it only gets worse.

Overall this book was terrifying in some parts and I had goosebumps practically the whole way through. I always give props to the author for being able to produce that reaction from an audience.

Is the eeriness of Pine House all in their heads, or is there more to it than just a cozy vacation home? Read it and find out!

Official Rating:

                                                    Three and a half Un-Birthday Cakes!

 

Die For Me by: Amy Plum

Die For Me by: Amy Plum
Publication Date: May 10, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 341
Format: Hardcover
Series: Revenants #1
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads:

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent. Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

My Review:

This book was epic. It's been a while since I have read a book with so much passion and love in it. This was more of a good thing, I think. Being set in Paris, I completely escaped in the Renaissance architecture and the little cafes that Kate liked to hang out in.

For some reason, I really connected with Katie's character. It must've been her love of literature and old vintage things. The tragic death of her parents left her in a deep ocean of depression until her family intervenes and she is forced to go out in public. While I've never lost anyone like she did and I can't imagine how it feels, I understood what she was going through and how it affected her. I love when I can connect to characters like that.

One thing that bothered me a bit was that there was nothing unique or different about Kate. She was human and falling in love with Vincent. Nothing set her apart from other humans, really. Usually, in paranormal romances, there is some sort of factor that makes the protagonist different.

Vincent was so amazing. I don't think any Frenchman could match up with his chivalry and masculine elegance. While the whole dying-for-three-days-a-month thing was kind of creepy, he was still utterly swoonworthy when among the living.

The setting was probably my second favorite of any book, the first being the Infernal Devices by: Cassandra Clare in London. I really could tell that Amy Plum lives in France because of the rich detail in which the monuments and storefronts, etc. were portrayed.

Official Rating:

Four Un-Birthday Cakes

Beautiful Chaos by: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Chaos by: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Publication Date: October 18, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Page Count: 518
Format: Hardcover
Series: Caster Chronicles #3
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads:

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.
Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

My Review:
    
     This book is by far, the best in the Caster Chronicles series so far. As soon as I read the first few pages, I settled into the world of Gatlin, South Carolina and loved every minute of it. As one of my favorite book series', these books never cease to amaze me.
    Every character in this book seemed to come into focus more in my mind this time around. Even the bad ones like Sarafine and Ridley. I saw things that had been previously covered up by time and darkness, which let me really understand their humanity.
   In certain parts, I felt like I could easily predict what was going to happen or who was going to do what, and then the book went and changed what I predicted. I loved this, because it added so much more surprise when Lena, Ethan, and the others deciphered the Shadowing Song and the climax happened. It was such and exciting and impossible realization, which is what I love about reading the works of Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.
    Every person in this story grew so much throughout the journey and hardships they all faced. I love it so much when characters are like that. With Ethan especially. This series, for sure, has the absolute best cast of characters. Ever.
    Things were so out of control and the Caster world was in a grave collision with the Mortal world, which made for quite the uproar among the church people (everybody) in Gatlin. This added a lot of excitement and suspense. I was always asking myself how much longer Gatlin could withstand the weight of a broken Order. Ethan seemed to take it all in stride, however. He seemed to be fairly calm about the whole situation until he witnessed Amma behaving suspiciously and Abraham making appearances. But what with everything he had going through previously, that didn't surprise me, really.
    So many things in this story went right and wrong, all leading up to one great and devastating ending, with the cliffhanger of the century slapped on top. This is the only thing that frustrated me. I think it is good to be frustrated sometimes during a book, though. It means that the author is getting to you and you have developed a genuine understanding of the people and setting.

   

The Iron Knight by: Julie Kagawa

The Iron Knight by: Julie Kagawa

Published: October 25, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN

Page Count: 361

Format: Paperback

Series: Iron Fey #4

Summary from Goodreads:

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

 Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

 With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

 To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

 And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

 My Review:
    Since this book is the last in the Iron Fey series, one of my all-time favorites, I felt the need to stretch out the reading time. Well, that kind of worked. And then it didn't. Nevertheless, I think the series came to a comfortable and happy ending.
    At the beginning, and I guess all through the book, Ash and Puck were always in some sort of scuffle. Puck's usual banter made me love him even more, as it always does. That, and Ash's serious and determined state, made for a great pairing to go on an adventure. Maybe not to them, but definitely for the readers!
    I seriously wonder if Grimalkin is based on the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. The way he speaks and disappears all the time seems oddly similar. Nevertheless, I really love him! He always knew the answers to things and had a way of making everyone else look oblivious.
   The lack of Meghan's POV had me stopping occasionally to remind myself that Ash was the narrator in this book, not her. I guess that's just because I was so attuned to seeing Meghan's. The POV change I was a little concerned about at first. I don't know why, Ash had amazing thoughts that only proved how loyal and good a character he was. There were a few flashbacks that let us see both the best and the worst of him. To me, It made me further realize the effect that being in love with Ariella, and then Meghan, had on him.
     Unlike the previous books, this one takes place entirely in the Nevernever. Only a tiny scene at the end is in the mortal world. This I just loved, because the way that Julie Kagawa expresses the nature and creatures that roam in the wyldwood other parts of Faery is made of just pure amazement.
     Ash and Puck gain some unlikely companions in this book on their quest for Ash's soul. I am not at liberty to say, so you should go read it and find out! Seriously, go NOW!

The Near Witch by: Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch by: Victoria Schwab
Published: August 11, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion Books CH
Page Count: 282
Format: ebook
Series: None
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads:

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

 If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. 

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

 But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

My Review:

     This book started off with Lexi seeing something strange outside her bedroom window, which I must say, was one of the best ways to hook me onto a mystery book. Instantly, a thousand questions sparked in my head and I just had to keep going at a rapid rate!
     The place where the main character, Lexi, lives is called Near but she doesn't live in the town, per say, more like the edge of it. The way she describes the moor seemed directly parallel to the mystery, in a way. The wind whispered over the hills and Lexi had something of a sixth sense to listen to it and hear its beckoning call.  That was a creepy element that I got all jittery about, which, of course, made it so much better!
     Lexi was so independent and determined to find out who or what was causing the children to go missing. She would stop at nothing, despite the how persistent everyone around her was that she shouldn't pursue something so dangerous.
     Then Cole enters the story. Really, that boy could be a mystery novel in himself. The way he spoke and held himself was intriguing to behold. There seemed to be an alternate meaning behind everything he said, always something hinting at his troubled past. He and Lexi pair up to set things right in Near and  as they delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the town, there relationship blossoms into romance at the same rate. The romance and mystery kind of intertwine into a really exciting relationship between Cole and Lexi.
    I kind of predicted some of what happened in the middle of the book, but it didn't lessen the amazement I felt when I read how it all played out. This book comes highly recommended from me, as it is a rare occurrence of jitter-inducing, creepy, romantic, gritty mystery in Young Adult literature.
   
    

Anna Dressed in Blood by: Kendare Blake

Anna Dressed in Blood by: Kendare Blake
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: August 30, 2011
Series: Anna #1
Format: Ebook
Page Count: 211
Buy the Book: http://amzn.to/v6M6BK

Summary from Amazon:

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

My Review:

      Anna Dressed in Blood blew me away. There wasn't a point when I wasn't totally wrapped up in it.
      Cas starts out as this guy who moves around everywhere with his mom, always seeking out one ghost or another. He takes his job seriously and doesn't let anything get in the way of it. The less human interaction he faces, the more he can interact with the dead. That's the way he prefers it. Until he moves to Thunder Bay, Ontario and things start to spin out of control.
     The chemistry between Anna and Cas was so tender and forbidden at the same time. All the while, it seemed as if they were meant to be together. Cas, being human but spending all of his time caring about the dead more than the living. And Anna, dead and yearning to find her humanity and redeem herself.
     The book takes place in a seemingly normal town, except for, you know, the dead girl living in the creepy house who murders whoever dare trespass. Underneath it all lies a world that is full of ghosts and ghosthunters, witches and voodoo priests.
      I loved the two female protagonists, Anna and Carmel. Carmel was the prom queen, popular girl that everyone expected to know all the right things to say and how to get what she wants. We see throughout the story that Carmel is not to be judged by her social status. She takes on the world of the supernatural wholeheartedly and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty while doing it. In the beginning of the book, Anna is portrayed as this goddess of death that doesn't take remorse on the dozens of victims she has rotting in her basement. Later on, Anna shows her more human side and that she can't help the monster living inside her. All she wants is to be free of that house where so many terrible things happened. Along the way she meets Cas and they immediately share an undeniable bond, making it impossible for him to kill her as he planned, no matter how much she may want him to.
        Of all the ghosts Cas talks about slaying throughout the book, Anna seemed to be the most unique yet. Not only does she know quite well that she is dead, but she doesn't have many complaints or depression about the way she died, as horrid as it was. She embraces the chance to redeem herself with Cas and his friends. They all make for a wonderfully strange bunch of misfits.