Book Review: The Golden Lily

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)
by Richelle Mead
Paperback, 418 pages
Published June 12th 2012 by Razorbill
Source: Bought
Buy the book: Amazon| Book Depository

Summary:

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series.

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

Review:

You guys. This book was a dream come true! It was everything I expected it to be and so much more. You have no idea just how many feels are wanting to burst out of my system right now and start gushing about the amazingness that is The Golden Lily. This book makes me want to puke rainbows and doodle hearts for all the world to see. Gosh, it’s amazing how one book can make me feel as good as this. I don't do drugs, but this one is probably so much better than all of them combined!

Moving on. The Golden Lily starts a while after Bloodlines. I wasn’t impressed with the plot development as it was very predictable. But I can say that my love for the characters overshadowed my impression for the plot. I swooned when Adrian’s name first came up. The guy is so cute and so hilarious! Whenever he says or does something, I always find myself melting. Same with Sydney! I never gushed about female characters but I have a very huge girl-crush on Sydney. I like that she’s so oblivious to Adrian’s attempts at flirting with her. She doesn’t even know she’s flirting back! But what's good is that her naiveté toward romance isn’t contrived at all which just makes her all the more hilariously adorable. But with this ignorance came the urge to slap some sense to her. She sees Adrian everywhere! She always thinks about what could make Adrian happy! If that isn't love, I don't what is. She could be so very frustrating sometimes but I still love her.

There’s also the issue of her being ultra-weight conscious. I'm happy that this issue was addressed in the book and by no other than Adrian himself. It goes to show how their relationship had grown from nothing to something. Even more than something. I'm so excited to see how Sydney would react once she realizes her feelings for Adrian. Oh, and there's also Jill, Eddie and Angeline. Angeline and Eddie cracked me up so many times! It was hilarious how Eddie always looked horrified whenever Angeline took advances on him. Though I have to say that I wasn't happy with how things turned out for them. It felt like rushed to me or maybe it was just that I was more focused on Sydrian that I didn't notice that triangle the three were forming.

As for Dimitri and Sonya, it was definitely nice to see the two again. Adrian still doesn't feel friendly toward Dimitri, but Dimitri seems to think otherwise. For Dimitri, it was almost as if nothing ever happened between them. Which was also frustrating. I felt bad whenever Adrian gave him the evil eye.

If you liked Bloodlines, you will DEFINITELY, ABSOLUTELY love The Golden lily too! This is even better than the first book! And oh, that ending! You will love it and you will hate it, but ultimately, it will make you want to read the next book!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Book Review: The Near Witch

The Near Witch
by Victoria Schwab
288 pages - Hardcover
Published August 2nd 2011 by Hyperion Books CH
Source: NetGalley

Summary:

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.

Review:

This book reminded me of Ally Condie's Matched. Not in terms of characters and plot because they have zero in common. But in terms of writing, both books have SUPERB writing style. (Major, majot emphasis on superb.) But as far as the content goes, Matched and The Near Witch kind of bored me.

The plot was quite slow, and the story has a gloomy atmosphere. Not really my kind of YA. But the dark, mystifying world that Schwab created fit perfectly to the gloomy feel of the book. It was also rather hard to connect with the characters. The plot was a little predictable too. I was hoping that Schwab would use some twist toward the ending, but alas, the book finished with how exactly I thought it was going to be. The only thing that was keeping me from ditching this was Schwab's gorgeous writing style.

If you're into books with fluid, eloquent and superb writing style, I seriously recommend The Near Witch. You will not be disappointed!

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Disclosure: This was received from the publisher (Hyperion Books via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Spellbound (ARC)

Spellbound
by Cara Lynn Shultz
Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: June 28th 2011 by Harlequin Teen
Source: ARC from NetGalley & Harlequin Teen

Summary:

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Review:

Reincarnation. Soulmates. Spells. Cursed lovers. Insta-attraction. Too perfect to be true male MC. New girl who thinks she’s not pretty enough and yet, manages to catch the attention of the two most sought-after boys in school. Girl must stay away from boy (because boy is bad news) but boy is too dang attractive to ignore. Well, if you put it like that, Spellbound has all the cliché I dislike in a paranormal YA romance book.

However, strangely enough, Shultz managed to incorporate all these cliché in one book without making it annoying cliché - which, I tell you, is a first among all the other PNR YA books that I read with the exact same elements. And they are quite a handful! Some, I couldn’t finish and some, I was able to finish but not without holding a grudge or getting the urge to hit the characters. I love that this all happened for a reason and not just by some too good to be true fluke of nature.

Brendan’s character is portrayed very well from the start. It’s practically impossible not to fall for him. He’s just smoking hot! It’s also easy to connect with the characters. I like it very much when Emma thinks dirty thoughts about Brendan. The legends told provide for a fascinating, yet creepy read too. Truly, Spellbound is a one enthralling read that intertwines magic, legends and a cursed romance that is surprisingly very well-written you’ll be spellbound before you know it.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars!

Disclosure: This e-ARC was received from the publisher (Harlequin Teen via NetGalley) for free in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Demonglass (Hex Hall, book 2)
by Rachel Hawkins
359 pages (Hardcover)
Published March 1st 2011 by Hyperion Books

Summary:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Review:

Demonglass was awesome! I thought Hex Hall was an okay book, so I didn’t expect Demonglass to be that good. But oh, boy did it proved me wrong!

After causing so much mayhem in Hecate Hall, Sophie’s father aka the Head of the Council, sent her to a safer place in London for a vacation to learn more about the Council as her father’s successor. Along with Jenna, Cal – throw in two demons, a bitchy ghost and a sort-of ex-boyfriend, Sophie’s vacation isn’t as lovely as she would have dreamed of. And as she discovers that the person who has been raising demons in the grounds in Hex Hall is in London, maybe London is not a safer place for her after all.

With new characters, new setting, bigger revelations and more complicated problems, Demonglass couldn’t be even more interesting. Sophie was as snarky and hilarious as ever, and Archer as hot. The pace was a little slow at first, but gradually picked up speed as the story moved forward. I really, really liked that about Demonglass. Once the story picked up its pace, it continued to move faster and faster until you’d find yourself out of breath. If you have read and liked Hex Hall, you will not be disappointed with Demonglass. It was intense, gripping, and hilarious! It was sooo good.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Book Review: Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach (ARC)

Wake Unto Me
by Lisa Cach
208 pages (Paperback)
Published March 31st 2011 by Speak
ISBN: 0142414360 (ISBN13: 9780142414361)


Summary:

A haunted castle, a handsome young man dead for four hundred years, one heck of a scary portrait of a witch, and a treasure hunt -- not to mention a princess for a roommate! -- all await 15 year old American girl Caitlyn Monahan when she earns a scholarship to a French boarding school.

There are secrets behind the stone walls of Chateau de la Fortune, buried for centuries along with the mystery of who killed Raphael, the charming ghost who visits Caitlyn at night. But as Caitlyn unearths the history of the castle, nothing scares her as badly as the secret she learns about herself, and the reason she was chosen to come to the Fortune School.

And nothing breaks her heart as badly as falling in love with a dead guy.

Source: Borrowed

Review:

If it wasn't for the good reviews, I wouldn't have read Wake Unto Me. I've been seeing this a lot in other book blogs, but never had it never caught my interest. I didn't even know it was about witches and ghosts and french boarding schools until I read it. You know when you have no idea what a book is about, and yet, out of nowhere, the urge to start reading it attacks you? And then when you read it, bam! You're blown away. That was exactly how I met this book.

I enjoyed this book a lot especially the protagonist, Caitlyn Monahan. Even though I could not fully comprehend what type of personality she really has.  Her character was a bit inconsistent. Sometimes, she would act shy. Sometimes, a bit crazy. Sometimes, bold. Nonetheless, she was very funny and interesting. Though, I'd really love to see her personality have some more consistency in the sequel because I didn't feel like I got to know her that much in the book.

One thing I did not think this book would be about were ghosts. I know the cover has a ghostly apparition of a guy, but I didn't think that there was actually a ghost. Let me share you a secret. I have never, ever, ever been scared by a book about ghosts and other dead things. Never. Until I read Wake Unto Me. The description of that ghost Caitlyn encountered in the school. Scared. The. Hell. Out. Of. Me. I was so absorbed with the story that I didn't notice how I was trying to push the book away from me while still trying to sneak a peak of it. Unbelievable, I know.

I can't wait for this book to be released. I hope a lot more people would be able to see the awesomness of this book. I absolutely recommend Wake Unto Me to everyone!

Rating: 5/5 stars