Witchy Witchy by Penelope King

Witchy, Witchy by Penelope King
Published: 15th August 2011by Ascension Press
ISBN: 0012781215
Young Adult


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another great read by Penelope King.


Life should be charmed for sixteen-year-old Calista McCoy. But being a psychic, empathic, fire-starting witch isn't all magical fun and games, even if it does come with a snazzy new wardrobe and an awesome beach house in California.

Now she is a target for the deadly Hunters who seek out new, vulnerable witches. Any exposure of her magical abilities can have disastrous consequences. And with covens all over the world constantly fighting with one another, it's hard to know who to trust. If all that weren't bad enough, now she has to go to some snooty private school for rich kids….not exactly a dream situation for a shy girl raised in the slums of the Louisiana bayou.

Things look up when she meets the devastatingly gorgeous and mysterious Nicholas, and she instantly falls under his captivating spell.

But it soon becomes clear that not all of Calista's new friends are who they appear to be...especially Nicholas. And once the thin veil between fantasy and reality is shattered, no one is safe from the evil that has snuck into their lives.

Dare to dream..


This is the third book I have read by Penelope King and this one was just as good as the Demonblood Series. She is an imaginative and descriptive writer and I really like her writing style. It is so easy to just fall into the book from the first paragraph.


This book has a great protagonist in Callie. When we first meet her, she is a shy, lonely girl who has visions of the future and is emphatic of people around her. At her old school, nobody spoke to her, it was as if she didn't exist and now she has the scary prospect of starting at a new private school. And she just found out she's a witch. But from her first day of school, she begins to flourish. She makes two great new friends and they become really close. She starts to learn more about her magic, good and bad sides. And, she makes a new guy friend, a hot guy friend who is crazy about her. But let's not forget Nicolas, the hot guy that she met on the beach and who she can't stop thinking and dreaming about. I thought we were building towards a love triangle, but then woah.....I was not expecting that.


Ana, who is her dad's employer, has a very interesting story to tell Callie. Ana is an older lady who is extremely well off and hires Callie's dad as her handy man. I found Ana to be a likeable character, after I got over my suspicions about her. Callie's girlfriends, Sophie and Lily are a great addition to the book and they, along with Ana, teach Callie about her magic as the book progresses.


This book took a totally different path to the one I thought we were heading towards so predictable, it is not. Towards the ending, the tone of the book does take a turn, going from fun and easy going to despairing and anxious.


I can't wait for the next in the series, which hopefully is not too far away.


Buy the book: Amazon/Smashwords

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Dusty Reads #1

Dusty Reads is a weekly meme, hosted at Xpresso Reads, featuring a book that has been sitting unread on your home shelf for some time. To participate, add your link here.







My pick this week

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series--dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

I have this a long time and still haven't got around to reading it, even though I've heard great things about it. I hope to read it really soon. 

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Waiting on Wednesday #1

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or "glitch"), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy. 

I really like the sound of this one. I haven't read too many dystopian books but this is one I'm looking forward to.

Pre-order: Amazon/The Book Depository

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Half Black Soul (Alexa Montomery #2) by H.D. Gordon

Half Black Soul by H.D. Gordon
Release Date: 31st January 2012
Young Adult




My rating: 3 of 5 stars


In the past few weeks Alexa Montgomery has had her entire world flipped upside down. She's gone from living a semi-normal teenage life to a life full of vampires and werewolves who all expect her to deliver them from the control of an evil dictator. Alexa is the last of her kind; a Sun Warrior, and now she has left the safety of Two Rivers to search for her mother, but she's left her sister behind to do so, and Nelly is the one person that she was told that she must always protect. Kayden, a vampire who is Alexa's other half, has followed her on her journey. But, secrets are about to come out, relationships will break and danger lies just up ahead. Will Alexa be able to get through all of this and make it out alive? And, will she be able to protect Nelly from danger when she is so far away?

Thank you to Kayleigh @ K-Books, for that last half!


Almost all of the reviews I've seen for this book have been 5 stars. But it just wasn't for me. As I was reading, I kept thinking, how can everyone else who reads this love it so much and I would really like to just stop reading it now. But because of all the good reviews, I persevered. And it did get better. But I was 60% through it before it started to get interesting for me.


I really didn't like Nelly's POV. She has been a very boring character throughout and only started to grow and develop nearer to the end of the book. I felt a lot of Nelly was just drawn out and unnecessary. It does look like we will see great things from her in future books though. I also felt that the change in POV was just happening far too quickly, a couple of pages was all we were getting of each for the first few chapters and it just didn't hold my interest at all.


This is a really great story overall though and I will definitely be reading the next instalment, I just feel that not much really happened in this one. The ending was good, but I just felt there should have been more happening.


From comments that I seen on Goodreads, I knew something happened with Jackson but I wasn't that shocked because I hadn't really trusted him in the last book either. Again, not really shocked with Bethany either, I kind of expected it. The cliffhanger at the very end, yes, totally took me by surprise.


As I said, I will read the next instalment in the series, but for me, the first book was so much better than this one.


Thanks to R2R on Goodreads and H.D. Gordon for providing this book for review.

Buy the book Smashwords/Amazon

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In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox
By Paranormal Book Fan


30th Jan - 5th Feb 2012 


Hosted by the Story Siren

Shayla Witherwood: A Half-Faery Tale

Slide by Jill Hathaway

I received these from Netgalley for review

Half Black Soul by H.D. Gordon

Witchy Witchy by Penelope King

I received these as part of an R2R on Goodreads

Reaper (Soul Screamers #3.5) by Rachel Vincent

I bought this on Amazon

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Quote of the Week 03/02/2012

This is my weekly meme where I post one of my favourite quotes. Feel free to join in. I do it on Friday but you can do it any day of week you choose just post your link in a comment below. 


This week my quote comes from The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa. I have just finished reading the series and you can read my reviews here.

“You're here,' I murmured, reaching out to touch him, hardly believing this was real. 'You came back.' Ash's breath hitched, and he put his hand over mine.
'I came home.”

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The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Published: October 26th 2011 by Harper Teen
ISBN: 0373210361

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 3 of 5 stars




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.


Ok, how to review this. Well I got a happy ending, thank God because I cannot handle a sad ending. But I had a knot of anxiety in me while reading this book. I have just finished it and I still feel in bad mood. I could not put it down because I had to see what happened, but I can't say I enjoyed it. From the start of the third trial, I was just stressed out. Wishing and hoping that things were going to take a turn. I just couldn't bear for Ash to end up like that.


I will not read this book again. It just left me with a sad, foreboding feeling even though things seemed to have turned out in the end.


The story starts with Ash and Puck going in search of Grimalkin. Along the way, they gain the company of the big bad wolf, who I liked in spite of who he is. And Ariella, who I did not trust throughout the entire book and was totally shocked at what she did in the end.


I wasn't enjoying this book, even before it started to stress me out. Even though there was a lot of action, I found I was getting bored. I really missed Meghan.


This book was a total let down to the end of a fantastic series. I love Ash, and enjoyed being inside his head, but it just wasn't enough.


I really, really wish that I could be finishing this series on a happier note, but the tone of this book just wasn't for me.


Buy the book Amazon/The Book Depository

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WWW Wednesdays

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
This weekly meme is being hosted by MizB at

Should Be Reading!

Currently Reading

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Recently Read


The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
My Review

Reading Next


Mesmerize by Artist Arthur

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The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey #3) by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Published by: Harlequin Teen 25th January 2011
ISBN: 0373210183
Age Group: Young Adult




My rating: 5 of 5 stars


My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.


This time, there will be no turning back.


Unbelievably, this was even better than the first two. The action just didn't stop and it had its fair share of romantic encounters too. Ash had me swooning, who knew he would turn out to be so soft and mushy. We see a completely different side to him as he drops his ice cold façade and opens up with Meghan.


Pucks emotions get the better of him and he goes from being a light hearted prankster to being bitter and mean. But who can blame him. His feelings have been hurt and it eventually all comes out against Meghan.


Grimalkin, what can I say. I love him. I don't think the books would be the same without him. "I am a cat". Those simple words have taken on new meaning for me lol.


A lot rests on Meghan's shoulders in this book but, she stands up to the task of her biggest challenge yet. She must save the Nevernever from the false Iron King and his iron army or all of faery world will die. But again, she is brave and determined and does what she has to do. Her character has developed so much from the first book, The Iron King, and she is amazing.


This book is imaginative, gripping and funny while being an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, I swooned, I cried. Fantastic read. Would definitely recommend it. I can't wait to read The Iron King. One of the advantages of reading a series when all the books have been released, I can just read straight through :)


Off to read Summer Crossing now, before starting The Iron King.




Purchase from Amazon/The Book Depository

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Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. You know the rules: grab your current read, open to a random page and share a two sentence teaser with us (no spoilers!). Be sure to tell us about the book, so we can add it to our TBR list!

This week my teaser comes from the book I'm currently reading and thoroughly enjoying, the Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa.

"Good idea," Puck echoed from the back of the cave. "Why don't you take the first watch, Prince? You could actually be doing something that doesn't make me want to gouge my eyes out with a spork." 

Ash's lips curled in a smirk. "I would think you're better suited to the task, Goodfellow," he said without turning around. "After all, that's what you're good at, isn't it? Watching?"

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The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa

Published by: Harlequin Teen
Published on: 1st August 2012
ISBN: 0373210132
Author Info: Website/Facebook
Age Group: Young Adult






The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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.



This was just as good, if not better than, The Iron King. I could not put it down. It was even more action packed, fast paced and emotional than the first book. And the ending was fantastic, it made me so happy.


We see a lot more of Puck in this book. I really like him but I'm still loving, loving, loving Ash. He is amazing. He stands up for love and doesn't care what happens.


We see a different side to Ironhorse, seeing him as brave and sensitive rather than just the enemy.


I was glad to see the return of Grimalkin, he had me laughing out loud at times with his sarcasm. I love the way he says "I am a cat" when asked how he does something.


And of course, Meghan. She is a great protagonist. Her character has grown in leaps and bounds since the beginning of the series and I don't think she's done yet. I can't wait to see how much stronger she is going to become as she really gets a hold on her magic. She is definitely one of my favourite female characters.


Julie's descriptions in this book were just as good as in The Iron King and even though there are a lot of characters, they are all so well written that there is no confusion.


This book is very hard to review without spoilers so I will leave it there.


Again, I would have no hesitation in recommending this book and will be putting it back on my shelf as a reread.

But for now, the only thing I wanted was standing right here, looking at me with an expression so open and unguarded that I thought my heart would burst out of my chest. "Don't leave," I whispered, tightening my hold. "Never leave me again. Stay with me. Forever." 

The Winter prince smiled, a small, easy smile, and lowered his lips to mine. "I promise."

Now, onwards and upwards to The Iron Queen!



Buy the Book: Amazon.com/BookDepository.co.uk

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In My Mailbox
By Paranormal Book Fan


23rd Jan - 29th Jan 2012 


Hosted by the Story Siren

I won these books in a blog giveaway

I got this from Netgalley for review

I got these on Amazon, some free, some I bought

Read more...

The Iron Fey Series

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Date Published: 1st February 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 0373210086


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.


Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.


When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.


But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.


I was looking forward to reading The Iron King as I had read great reviews for it, and I wasn't to be disappointed. This is the third faery book I've read, and by far, the best. I really liked the premise that the Fae exist from the imaginations of mortals and if they have poems or stories written about them, to help remember them, they become all but immortal. The idea that the iron fey exist as the mortal world develops and improves technology was really unique.


The protagonist, Meghan, was a really likeable character. In the beginning of the book, she seemed like the kind of girl who might let others push her around but by the end, she had grown and become brave and determined. She was also caring and thought of others before herself. The secondary characters, Puck, Ash *swoon* and Grimalkin were really likeable too. Puck is Robbie, Meghans best friend, who she has known for as long as she can remember. He is part of the Summer Fey. Ash, is the handsome winter prince of the Winter Fey and mortal enemy of Puck. And Grimalkin is a cat....with attitude. He was entertaining.


I feel there is going to be a love triangle here. In my opinion, Puck is interested in being more than just friends with Meghan. I am a fan of a good love triangle and I will be rooting for Ash, who I think is probably my favourite character.


This book was well written and easy to read. The descriptions of the places and creatures were really good and I was easily able to picture them. All of the characters were well written and interesting. It is fast paced with a lot of action. I was intrigued by the references to A Midsummer Night's dream as I was not familiar with it at all.


Julie Kagawa's Nevernever world was a fascinating place which I enjoyed travelling through. I would definitely recommend this book. I was never a faery fan but this has converted me. This is definitely a book that I will read again in the future. I cannot wait to continue on with the series.


Although this ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, I had the second book in the series on hand and I was ready to go again.

"Something grabbed my wrist, pulling me forward. I collapsed against a solid chest, my fingers digging into the fabric to keep myself upright. As the adrenaline surge faded and my heartbeat returned to normal, I glanced up and found Ash's face inches from mine, so close I could see my reflection in his silvery eyes. His nearness made my senses spin, and I couldn't look away. This close, his face was carefully guarded, but I felt the rapid thud of his heart beneath my palm. My own heartbeat picked up in response. He held me a moment longer, just long enough to make my stomach lurch wildly, then stepped away, leaving me breathless in the middle of the trail."

Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa
(Iron Fey #1.5)


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Excellent!


"I replayed our last kiss in my mind, clinging to it like a life vest in a raging sea. Had I imagined his feelings for me, misread his intentions? What if everything he’d said was just a ploy, a scheme to get me to Tir Na Nog and the queen?
No, I couldn’t believe that. The emotion on his face that night was real. I had to believe that he cared, I had to believe in him, or I would go crazy."

Published by: Harlequin Teen
Published on: 1st August 2012
ISBN: 0373210132
Author Info: Website/Facebook
Age Group: Young Adult






The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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.



This was just as good, if not better than, The Iron King. I could not put it down. It was even more action packed, fast paced and emotional than the first book. And the ending was fantastic, it made me so happy.


We see a lot more of Puck in this book. I really like him but I'm still loving, loving, loving Ash. He is amazing. He stands up for love and doesn't care what happens.


We see a different side to Ironhorse, seeing him as brave and sensitive rather than just the enemy.


I was glad to see the return of Grimalkin, he had me laughing out loud at times with his sarcasm. I love the way he says "I am a cat" when asked how he does something.


And of course, Meghan. She is a great protagonist. Her character has grown in leaps and bounds since the beginning of the series and I don't think she's done yet. I can't wait to see how much stronger she is going to become as she really gets a hold on her magic. She is definitely one of my favourite female characters.


Julie's descriptions in this book were just as good as in The Iron King and even though there are a lot of characters, they are all so well written that there is no confusion.


This book is very hard to review without spoilers so I will leave it there.


Again, I would have no hesitation in recommending this book and will be putting it back on my shelf as a reread.

But for now, the only thing I wanted was standing right here, looking at me with an expression so open and unguarded that I thought my heart would burst out of my chest. "Don't leave," I whispered, tightening my hold. "Never leave me again. Stay with me. Forever." 

The Winter prince smiled, a small, easy smile, and lowered his lips to mine. "I promise."

Now, onwards and upwards to The Iron Queen!



Buy the Book: Amazon.com/BookDepository.co.uk







The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Published by: Harlequin Teen 25th January 2011
ISBN: 0373210183
Age Group: Young Adult




My rating: 5 of 5 stars


My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.


This time, there will be no turning back.


Unbelievably, this was even better than the first two. The action just didn't stop and it had its fair share of romantic encounters too. Ash had me swooning, who knew he would turn out to be so soft and mushy. We see a completely different side to him as he drops his ice cold façade and opens up with Meghan.


Pucks emotions get the better of him and he goes from being a light hearted prankster to being bitter and mean. But who can blame him. His feelings have been hurt and it eventually all comes out against Meghan.


Grimalkin, what can I say. I love him. I don't think the books would be the same without him. "I am a cat". Those simple words have taken on new meaning for me lol.


A lot rests on Meghan's shoulders in this book but, she stands up to the task of her biggest challenge yet. She must save the Nevernever from the false Iron King and his iron army or all of faery world will die. But again, she is brave and determined and does what she has to do. Her character has developed so much from the first book, The Iron King, and she is amazing.


This book is imaginative, gripping and funny while being an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, I swooned, I cried. Fantastic read. Would definitely recommend it. I can't wait to read The Iron King. One of the advantages of reading a series when all the books have been released, I can just read straight through :)


Off to read Summer Crossing now, before starting The Iron King.




Purchase from Amazon/The Book Depository

Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was really good and I enjoyed Puck's POV

Published: October 26th 2011 by Harper Teen
ISBN: 0373210361

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 3 of 5 stars




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.


Ok, how to review this. Well I got a happy ending, thank God because I cannot handle a sad ending. But I had a knot of anxiety in me while reading this book. I have just finished it and I still feel in bad mood. I could not put it down because I had to see what happened, but I can't say I enjoyed it. From the start of the third trial, I was just stressed out. Wishing and hoping that things were going to take a turn. I just couldn't bear for Ash to end up like that.


I will not read this book again. It just left me with a sad, foreboding feeling even though things seemed to have turned out in the end.


The story starts with Ash and Puck going in search of Grimalkin. Along the way, they gain the company of the big bad wolf, who I liked in spite of who he is. And Ariella, who I did not trust throughout the entire book and was totally shocked at what she did in the end.


I wasn't enjoying this book, even before it started to stress me out. Even though there was a lot of action, I found I was getting bored. I really missed Meghan.


This book was a total let down to the end of a fantastic series. I love Ash, and enjoyed being inside his head, but it just wasn't enough.


I really, really wish that I could be finishing this series on a happier note, but the tone of this book just wasn't for me.


Buy the book Amazon/The Book Depository

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Quote of the Week 27/01/2012

This is my weekly meme where I post one of my favourite quotes. Feel free to join in. I do it on Friday but you can do it any day of week you choose just post your link in a comment below. 




This week my quote comes from Wraith by Edie Claire

“Zane," I whispered breathlessly, knowing it was wrong, but powerless to stop myself. "If things were different... if you were alive... and I was alive-" "Yes," he said immediately, interrupting me. He leaned in closer. His voice was no more than a whisper. "Absolutely, yes. Don't ever doubt it, Kali.”

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Wraith by Edie Claire

Published: 2nd August 2011
ASIN: B005FR7NL2


My rating: 5 of 5 stars




This was fantastic. I can't believe I never heard of it before, it should be a lot more popular. 


Kali can see ghosts, but they can't see her and she doesn't interact with them. Until Zane, the hot surfer dude. 


Kali has gone to Oahu, Hawaii with her parents for a few days to find a house. Her dad is in the military and he is finally being shipped to Hawaii, like she always wanted. Before she met the best friends she ever had in Cheyenne, where she lives now. She is hoping to meet some friends during her stay so that when she moves in June, she won't have to spend the summer alone. Kali's dad arranges for his friend's son, Matt, to show Kali around the island. 


I LOVED this book. This is Edie Claire's first YA novel and it is fabulous. I really liked her writing style and the reading just flowed. I could not put it down. 


Kali and Zane were both really likeable characters. Matt was too but for some reason, I felt suspicious of him throughout the book. Zane can't remember how he died or anything about his life and believes that Kali's "gift" will lead him to the light, or at least explain a few things. As Kali and Zane hang out, he gradually gets his memory back and we slowly learn about his life as the book goes on.


There is so much more to this than just a girl who sees dead people and a romance. There is action and suspense and even a hint of a triangle, but not one to get too mad about. The twist in this book was really good and I just loved the ending.


I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this book to anyone interested in the paranormal romance genre.

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Interview with Larissa Hinton

Hello, my name is Larissa Hinton. I'm a grad student at Hampton University and hopefully by next year, I'll be a full time secondary English teacher. In the morning, I'll be a teacher but at night I'll become an author. Reference isn't working for you?

Lol, anyway, most of the fiction I write really comes from a life of reading of what I love to read. Some of it, comes from a dark place which I never knew existed until college. Ah, gotta love college. Always discovering new sides of yourself.

If you want to know more about me and my sarcasm, you can just check out my blog and click on FAQ's. Thanks for reading my super short bio! :)


Q. When did you first start writing?


I started writing at the ripe age of 12. At first, I wrote poems because of my lovely English teacher decided that we should write poems and from then on, I fell in love with poetry. The writing bug really bit me a year later when the movie of Nickelodeon movie, Clock Stoppers came out. I thought the movie was going to be horrible, so I decided that I would write a novel that would be better than the movie. Needless to say, my book wasn't as good as the move but I didn't care. I love writing and nothing else mattered. Thus my obsession with writing begun.

Q. What music do you listen to when you write?

Actually, I don't listen to music when I write. The reason I don't listen to music is because it distracts me from writing. My favorite genre is electronic dance. So every time I listen to it (especially Cascada or Rhianna's Please Don't Stop the Music) I want to dance instead of write. So it's more of a hindrance instead of a help.

Q. Do you have any hidden talents?

Apparently, I have the talent of weaving my hair. Everywhere I go people compliment me on my hair and they are so shocked to know that I did it myself. You should see their faces, "You did THAT yourself?" Yeah, of course. You know how expensive it is to get kinky twists done? Over a hundred dollars easy, especially with all of the hair weave I did and how long it is. I'll give you a hint: The hair is longer than you think! I constantly sit on my hair, lol since I didn't originally intend for my hair to be this long when I started out . . . But that's a whole different story.

Q. What was your inspiration to put together this anthology?

Funny enough, there wasn't any inspiration at all! I know, such a bad answer for a writer, but I am telling the truth. You see, I was taking a Creative Writing class and for the first time ever, I had to write short stories. Before this point in my life, I never wrote a short story but I found something funny about it: I loved it. I was able to delve into the characters I loved, create new stories that would inspire bigger ideas, and it was a way to play with the inner thoughts that floated my mind. Even at one point, my professor told me that all of my novel ideas were really short stories. Granted, at that time, I did not appreciate him saying that, but some of my ideas were short stories. I just never knew it.

The poems in the anthology however, were inspired by mostly my personal life. And other times, by the urge to write it down. I don't think I could fully explain it properly, but when an idea hits me, it's like lightening and I'm alert and aware that a poem is in me that needs to be written. I've literally tried to go asleep with that feeling, but I couldn't. I had to write it down into poetic form. It doesn't happen so often (like once or twice a month) but when it happens, I have to write that poem down or I can't think straight.

Oh, and one of the poems, In Death You Speak, it was inspired by boredom in class. I was sitting in one of the English Literature classes listening to them drone on and on about something, so I wrote a poem instead of listening. [Symbol] I know. I'm horrible. A-soon-to-be English teacher not paying attention in an English classroom? Shocker.

Q. What book are you reading now?
I'm reading Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves. It's a gorgeously dark fantasy book from an author I love. Sadly, I'm almost finished with it but I will give it a grand review hopefully sometime next week. I'm so excited to share this book with my followers!

Q. What is the most difficult thing about being a writer? What is the easiest thing?

The easiest thing about writing is coming up with the ideas. I come up with new ideas practically every day I take a step outside. Now the hardest part about writing is putting your idea on paper and making it come across right. Especially for a novel. It's a long journey from the first page until the last and to make sure it's projecting the idea from cover to cover from word to word is the most difficult part. As a writer, you have to be consistent, persistent, and have excellent time management to be able to complete a novel with style, grace and be sane. Seriously. Ask some writers if they haven't pulled their hair out over a story that just wouldn't translate from their brain onto the paper right. Ah, the makings of a novel.

Q. Quick: Vampire or Shapeshifter?

Shapeshifters all the way. Vampires get way too much hype right now and they have become mainstream and valued for their apparent sex appeal. Shapeshifters on the other hand, will always win in a battle, they are scary, and they are sexy. Win win.

Q. What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer? 

I know for me, the most rewarding thing about being a writer is getting back reviews from people who have bought and loved your book. And understood your ideas! I was really wondering about the poems I wrote called WSV (Words Speak Volumes). For the longest time I debated about publishing them in the first place since all they were was words written down a page telling a story in an odd way. I thought that maybe people just wouldn't get it.

It warmed my heart that not only did people understand my poems, they loved them! I couldn't be more thrilled since my poems have never been out to see daylight (yes, I get the Emily Dickinson irony there)! Therefore, I'm always glad to receive somewhat of fan mail on how my writing has made people think in a whole new way once they read Everblossom: A Short Story and Poetry Anthology.

Q. Any advice for writers?

I have plenty of advice for writer! They can check out these links on my blog here:

http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/11/considering-self-publishing.html
http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/10/tips-and-tricks-how-not-to-request-book.html
http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/10/truth-about-traditional-publishing.html
http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/09/why-is-editing-soooo-expensive.html
http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/09/quick-tip-of-day-blurbs.html
http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/07/hot-topic-tuesday-best-of-best-or.html
http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/07/tips-and-tricks-friday-editing.html
http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/05/tips-and-tricks-time.html
http://melissaseclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/11/guest-post-larissa-hinton-author-of.html
http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/07/official-cover-for-iwishacana.html

But overall, I'd say keep writing and keep reading. Do your research. Do not limit yourself with traditional publishing or self publishing. It is possible to do both.

Q. Anything you want to say to your readers? 

To my readers, I have to say you are the driving force behind my writing. You are the people I am so grateful for and I hope that you will find time to read my books and love them just as much as I do. And if you do love them to pieces, then please express and share your love in reviewing my books online! That is all the thanks I need at the end of the day.

Q. What books of yours should we be looking out for release next?

The next book I'm currently editing that you should look for is the sequel for Everblossom. 

An anthology that will quench your thirst for more than the ordinary.

Everblossom is a journey through poems and short stories that may seem ordinary on the surface but dig a little deeper and the world not only shifts . . . It changes.

The author who brought you Iwishacana/Acanawishi, now brings you a dash of everything from dark fantasy to the paranormal to romance. So prepare yourself to delve into the three stages of the flower from bud to blossom then back to seed; you'll go through them all with a whole new perspective on what it all truly means.

This book is available for purchase here:

Smashwords
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Createspace eStore

I'd like to thank Larissa for speaking with me today and I wish her luck with her writing now and in the future.

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