ARC Review: School Spirits (School Spirits #1) by Rachel Hawkins

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release date: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
304 Pages

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?

Rachel Hawkins' delightful spin-off brings the same wit and charm as the New York Times best-selling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance!

VISIT THE AUTHOR

Goodreads.Twitter.Website. 



FIND THE BOOK

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble.

Review:

I enjoyed the Hex Hall seies, I really did. And when I heard that there was going to be a spin-off series, I was intrigued. When I found out it was going to be about Izzy Brannick, I was a little hesitant. It wasn't that I didn't like the Brannicks, it was more like I thought Izzy was a child and then assumed her plight would be rather childish. I am glad I was wrong. Now while you don't need to read the Hex Hall seies to read the spin-off, I would recommend it. It gives you some background on this world and an introduction to the characters.

School Spirit follows the youngest of the Brannick clan, Izzy. After her sister goes missing with no clues where to find her, Izzy and her mother start trying to move on - or so they say. This means taking on more cases, including enrolling Izzy in high school to investigate a supposed haunting. Having never been to an actual school, Izzy immediately feels out of place and tries to learn all she can by watching a teen soap drama. What she didn't expect was a group of misfit friends and a real haunting that threatens those she now holds dear.

Izzy grew on me. She has an extrememly likeable character about her and a naive demeanor that endears her to you. The whole book she's trying to prove to her mother that she can handle herself out in the field, that she's just as strong as her sister. What she's actually hiding is guilt over her missing sister and loneliness. She doesn't realize how lonely she's been until she meets the gang of PMS or Paranormal Management Society: Romy, Anderson, and Dex.

I instantly liked Romy, the leader of PMS. Her sarcastic wit was the perfect counter to Izzy. She's the kind of person you would want to meet if it was your first day at a new school, at least I would. Then there's Anderson, who I believe really only joined PMS to get close to Romy. But my favorite part of the book had to be Dex. From his first encounter with Izzy:

"You are my new hero. Seriously, I might actually be in love with you now. Would it be awkward if we made out?"

To explaining his...well, himself, I guess:

"The clothes, I mean," he said, gesturing to his coat. "I know that I'm fashionable and well-groomed, and yes, I have been known to rock the occasional manbracelet."

He lifted his wrist, jangling the bracelet I'd noticed earlier. I could see now that it was plain silver, just to a series of links.

"But," Dex continued, dragging anouther one of my fries through ketchup, "I also like ladies. And not as shopping buddies, but in the carnal sense."

Dex just made this book entertaining. I laughed out loud at many of his one liners and based on that ending, I really hope he's a constant in this series because I can't think of anything more hilarious than that.

One thing I hope we get more information about is Torin. Yes, the boy in the mirror is back here in a much bigger aspect. There's something quite off about Torin and his connection to Izzy and her missing sister. I believe that we will come to know his secrets, and I know I can't wait.

A very promising start to this new series.

JENN


So much thanks to Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for allowing me to read this ARC in exhcnage for an honest review. 

Teaser Tuesday: The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate, all you have to do is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can ad the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

--------------------

"The smell of blood hit me soon after, soaking the air and making my stomach turn with Hunger. As we drew closer to the underground camp, voices began to echo out of the tunnels: cries, shouts, angry hisses and snarls."
Chapter 17,  74% e-ARC
The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

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Book Review: Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
452 Pages

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

VISIT THE AUTHOR:

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

FIND THE BOOK:

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Review:

Scarlet is the novel that I was most anticipating of 2013 and with good reason, Ms. Meyer's debut, Cinder is one of my all time favorite books! I had high hopes for this novel and luckily, they were surpassed. Scarlet was a wonderful follow up that was extremely difficult to put down even though I started it during what has been my busiest school week thus far!

In Scarlet, we are introduced to several new characters, including one whom the book was named. Scarlet Benoit's beloved grandmother is missing. She's brought it to the attention of the police, but there have been no leads and the professionals have given up. When a dangerous man, who calls himself Wolf, offers his help, she's reluctant, but slowly comes around to the idea. While on the other side of the world, Cinder is escaping with the help of an unlikely ally and in search of answers about her past. These two girls will come together to learn things they never thought possible.

I love these characters! Of course, seeing Cinder and Kai again made me happy, but Scarlet, Wolf and Captain Thorne were fantastic additions. Captain Thorne brought in some much needed humor, while Wolf and Scarlet gave us insight into the ways of other parts of this futuristic Earth live. They were great characters that were really enjoyable to read about. I wasn't sure that I would enjoy the point-of-view switches between books, but after reading this novel, I am glad the author did what she did. 

Ms. Meyer skillfully brings her readers back into this creatively woven journey. I loved reading about France this time. Seeing new perspectives in a story is often beneficial. In the case of Scarlet, I think it was important in tying together the setting. It really helped in filling out the world that the author brought to life in Cinder.

There were a few minor inconsistencies and a bit of predictability, but beyond that, I have no qualms with this book. Seriously, nothing bad comes to mind. In fact, any time I think about Scarlet, I just start thinking about Cress and how long we have to wait until it is released! It is impossible for me to think negatively about this book!

Scarlet is another Marissa Meyer book to go on my "best books ever" shelf! This novel did nothing but make me love the author even more! Scarlet is a fascinating, captivating read that will leave its audience (including me) dying for the third book!

Follow Friday (59)

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.

Q. Have you ever read a book that you thought you would hate? Did you end up hating it? Did you end up loving it? Or would you never do that?

A. I've done that several times. The most recent of those times is Wasteland. I hoped that I would enjoy it, but I went into it really knowing I wouldn't. I just wanted to make my own opinion of it and I can safely say that it is one of the worst books that I've ever read. My first instinct was right... I should probably listen to it more often!

Have you ever read a book that you knew you'd hate?

ARC Review: The Eternity Cure (Blood Of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: April 30, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

446 Pages

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

VISIT THE AUTHOR:

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

 FIND THE BOOK:

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes and Noble

Review:

The Eternity Cure – basically Kagawa takes your heart, rips it out of your body, stomps on it a few times for good measure, and then proceeds to try to shove it back into you. And I loved every minute of it.

Source

The Eternity Cure picks up a few months after the Immortal Rules ends. Allison has left Zeke and his band of wayward travelers at the gates of Eden while she heads out on a mission to find Kanin, her sire. Alone, just following the internal pull she feels toward those of her blood line. Along the way, she finds a very unlikely ally in her blood brother Jackal. Together they set out searching for Kanin. But Jackal is not the only person from her past she encounters. Her journey plus finding Kanin and the events after leave you not only wanting more, but gasping for breath as you sort out what just happened.

While the Immortal Rules felt a little slow moving at times, Eternity Cure was just the opposite. Never once was there a dull moment, and just when you thought you safe…nope. The writing style was flawless. Kagawa has a way of describing everything in just the right amount of detail, and I loved that she never shied away from the violence of vampires.  

Now, let me take a moment to discuss the characters:

Allison

“I was a monster who killed and prayed on human life. I could never escape that, but at least I could choose what kind of lives I took.”

Source

It goes without saying that she is badass. She’s an amazing fighter, says what she’s thinking, and always tries to do the right thing. She tries so hard to hold onto that little ounce of humanity left inside of her. And she stands by what she wants and what she believes in. The only person ever to give her reason to pause is Zeke.

Oh Zeke.

“No one who fights so hard to do the right thing is evil.”

Source

I just want to hold him. Wrap him up in a blanket and protect him from this cruel world because no matter how much horror he sees, he still holds on to that eternal optimism that everything will work out. 

Kanin and Jackal

Allison’s blood family. We got to learn and see a different side of Kanin here and it was interesting how he went from mentor/teacher to Allison, to more like her comrade in arms. He taught her all he knows and now has left it up to her to decide what she does with it. And Jackal- here was a character I never expected to like, especially after the first book. But holy crap if I wasn’t cracking up at all of his one-liners. And the thing about Jackal, he doesn’t beat around the bush. He tells you straight up where his loyalties lie, but that doesn’t mean that he won’t surprise you at times.

Sarren

“Hello, little bird. The camera on this computer is shot to hell, I’m afraid, so we’ll just have to be content with audio. Pity. I really wanted to show you what I’ve been doing. But, perhaps a song is worth a thousand pictures, hmm?”

Shudders. So so creepy. There aren’t words to describe this monster. His calm demeanor while playing with his prey creeps me out to no end.

And I will not name the one person who we meet up with in New Covington, as I don’t want to give everything away. Just know, there’s a certain place in hell carved out especially for you, remember that. 

And that ending...

Source

I laughed, I gasped, I almost threw my kindle, and I cried. So many different emotions. So many feelings. I need the next one…like now. Not even joking. You listening, Julie?

JENN

 So much thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Teen for allowing me to read this ARC.

Top Ten Tuesday (56)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

This week's theme is: 

Top Ten Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character

I don't think I need to do much explaining about why I love the following fellows!

1. Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars
2. Four from The Divergent Trilogy
3. Nicholas from Painted Faces
4. Conall from The Parasol Protectorate
5. Harry Porter from Suddenly You
- Yes, you read that right. Harry Porter.
6. Cricket Bell from Lola and the Boy Next Door
7. Naji from The Assassin's Curse
8. Chaol Westfall from Throne of Glass
9. The Darkling from The Grisha Trilogy
10. Hector from Fire and Thorns
...and many, many more! (I'm a bit boy crazy)

What fictional characters would you/are you crushing on?

Teaser Tuesday: Adaptation (Adaptation #1) by Malinda Lo

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!) 

 Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

--------------------

"She didn't feel like she had been in a coma for twenty-seven days. Even after reading the Time magazine from cover to cover and trying to absorb all that had gone on while she had been unconscious, she still felt like she had been asleep for one night only."
Chapter 8, 17%
Adaptation (Adaptation #1) by Malinda Lo

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Interview with Tellulah Darling + Giveaway

We here at Ed and Em's Reviews are happy to help pimp out Tellulah Darling's new release, My Ex From Hell. In fact, I, Emily, even harrassed her convinced her to join me for an interview!

E: Helllllllllllo, Tellulah. Welcome to our blog! Tell us about yourself in 10 words or less.

T: My God, you just start with the tough questions, don'tcha?

Cynical, sensitive, smartly smart-ass of sensuous shape. 

heh heh

E: I just slowed clapped at your excellent use of alliteration. Brava! Now describe My Ex From Hell in ten words or less USING NONE OF THOSE WORDS.

T: Thank you. Thank you. I don't get enough slow claps in my life.

Braces self - I can see these are going to get progressively harder. Okay here's my answer.

A kiss

rocks world

now goddess

sexy ex

save humanity

I want bonus points for its poetic-like (esque?) form.

E: So many bonus points. If you play your cards right, I might even slow clap for you again before the interview is up.

So how does it feel to be releasing your sophomore novel? Is it much diffferent than when your first book, Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls, came out?

T: It's a wonderful feeling to be releasing Ex. Not only is there an incredible sense of accomplishment but with every book, new readers find me. And that means I get to connect with very cool people from all over the world. I find myself stopping in amazement and giddy wonder at times when I get a tweet or message with someone I've become friends with - where the only reason we got to know each other was because they read my story.  But also, Sam Cruz was a stand alone novel and Ex is the first in a trilogy so both these books involved bringing new characters to life. I think what will be interesting is launching the second book in this trilogy. I think the launch for that book, My Date From Hell, in which I'm continuing with these familiar characters will feel different, I'll have to prove myself in different ways, if that makes sense.

E: So true. I mean... Without your books, I probably wouldn't have been able to stalk... Err... Find you and introduce you to my amazingly awesome, schmexy self.

So why do you write New Adult? Of all the age groups, what made you write for maturing teens? Do you plan to expand your horizons and dip your pen into books for any other age group?

T: Very true! 

When I wrote Sam Cruz, I wasn't thinking of it as New Adult. I wanted to tell a story about two best friends who needed something huge to wake them up to the fact that they are perfect for each other. Sam and Ally love each other but should be in love with each other. And it was sex that upset their platonic friendship. Dealt with in a funny and hopefully genuine way but yes, sex. I later realized I was writing more NA on that one than YA. And I've come to love NA. Sex is a natural part of the coming of age process. I'm not advocating that everyone should have it. But I do think it's an important aspect of being human and making connections and I believe most teens think about it and whether or not it's right for them. To cut out that aspect of Sam and Ally in this particular story because of an age group - remember they are 17 - would have been doing my novel and their journey a disservice.  I'm adamantly against the sexualization of children (Karen Marie Moning, I'm looking at Dani in ICED here) -  but it was right for Sam and Ally. That said, My Ex From Hell - very middle of the road YA. There is no sex, just kissing and longing. Again, true to the adolescent experience for Sophie. I want to do right by my characters. Had I put sex into this book, I would have been pandering and just going for shock value. That's stupid. My next series, well, it might be even more NA than Sam was. After that? Who knows? I might write an adult sci fi. I go where the story takes me.

E: Since you brought it up, what other books are you working on or planning to write?

T: Since I enjoy writing kick ass snarky girls and broody boys, I figure why stop? So let's get all NA smexy and throw the romantic comedy into magic misadventures. I want to feature one self-contained romance per book with an overarching battle. Probably 5 books in the series.

E: Ooh, you should write one about me and my wonderful love affair with Garrett Hedlund. I mean, I can magically make his pants disappear. That counts, right? (But really... Remember those names as you are writing... Emily and Garrett, nicknamed Rhett.) Sounds über magical, for sure. 

What kinds of books do you read?

T: I do like Rhett. But I don't like the name Garrett. Do I still get to live?

I read everything except Westerns. I love authors as diverse as Salinger, Gaiman, Douglas Adams, Armistead Maupin, Jane Austen, David Levithan, Jennifer Crusie, Haruki Murakami and Salmon Rushdie. Good storytelling is good storytelling. I do read a ton of romance and YA though. I've probably read thousands of romance novels and am always a sucker for a good one. Especially a witty, steamy HR.

E: *LE GASP* My feelings toward you have diminished. I can't believe I slow clapped for you... But when I said Rhett, were you thinking of Gone With the Wind?

Hmph, you have good taste in books for someone who doesn't like my future husband's name. 

Final (typical) question: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

T: At first but then I took it in the spirit of nicknamed couples that it was offered. And it works well. Vertitably trips off the tongue.

Look at it this way - by not coveting your future husband or his name, it means we will never have a friendship ending disagreement over a guy.

I know it sounds so cliché but keep writing. Finish those stories or poems or novels. You'll never get your work to where you want it to be if you don't finish it. :) Also read and then read some more.

E: Well thank you for joining us and allowing me to pick your brain. Oh and offering some lucky folks your books. You're pretty chill, homie. Now say something memorable and deep as an end to this interview.

T: To quote the brilliantly witty Ms. Dorothy Parker “Authors and actors and artists and such - Never know nothing, and never know much.” 

My Ex From Hell by Tellulah Darling

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: April 1, 2013
Publisher: Te Da Media
272 Pages

Sixteen-year-old Sophie Bloom wishes she’d been taught the following:

a) Bad boy’s presence (TrOuBlE) + teen girl’s brain (DraMa) = TrAuMa (Highly unstable and very volatile.)
b) The Genus Greekulum Godissimus is notable for three traits: 1) awesome abilities, 2) grudges, and 3) hook-ups, break-ups, and in-fighting that puts cable to shame.

Prior to the Halloween dance, Sophie figures her worst problems involve adolescent theatrics, bitchy yoga girls, and being on probation at her boarding school for mouthy behaviour. Then she meets bad boy Kai and gets the kiss that rocks her world.

Literally.

This breath stealing lip lock reawakens Sophie’s true identity: Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She’s key to saving humanity in the war between the Underworld and Olympus, target numero uno of Hades and Zeus, and totally screwed.

Plus there’s also the little issue that Sophie’s last memory as Persephone was just before someone tried to murder her.

Big picture: master her powers, get her memories back, defeat Persephone’s would be assassin, and save the world. Also, sneak into the Underworld to retrieve stolen property, battle the minions of Hades and Zeus, outwit psycho nymphs, slay a dragon, rescue a classmate, keep from getting her butt expelled from the one place designed to keep her safe …

… and stop kissing Kai, Prince of the Underworld.

My Ex From Hell is a romantic comedy/Greek mythology smackdown. Romeo and Juliet had it easy.

VISIT THE AUTHOR:

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

FIND THE BOOK:

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

Giveaway Details:

- Three winners will receive a signed copy of My Ex From Hell

- Open Internationally

- We are not responsible for lost and/or damaged packages

- Ends 04/08/2013

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What did you think of the interview? Isn't Tellulah lovely? We definitely recommend picking up her books!