The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies) by Pittacus Lore

The Power of Six, is thrilling sequel to, I Am Number Six. One might even say that it's better! This book is packed with action and suspense. It is fast paced and engaging.

The characters have grown and the new one's are rather interesting, as a matter of fact, Six might just be my favorite character in this series so far.

So, much happens is such a little span of time --- and what a cliff hanger ending. I can't wait till the next book.

Grade: A

Overview: [B&N]

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.
Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.
I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.
And I'm ready to fight.

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines is a new and exciting series by Richelle Mead. This series follows a few characters from, Mead's Vampire Academy Series.

I strongly suggest that you read the VA series to get the full impact of Bloodlines. It stands on it's own but the story isn't as strong without the background knowledge of the characters and their lives.

Sydney the alchemist is the narrator of the series. You get the chance to learn more about her, Adrian, Eddie and Jill (minor character is VA).

Mead is freaking awesome at building characters --- This new series is beyond exciting, it is enthralling. I can't hardly wait until the next book comes out!

If it continues of this path, I might like it more than VA.

Grade: A+

Overview [B&N]
When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

Kill Me If You Can by James Patterson and Marshall Karp

Truth be told, I have been avoiding books by Patterson for a while. Not because the writing is bad but because he writes too many books with the help of other authors and I feel that a truly entertaining author with passion for writing takes more than just a few months to put out a new novel and every single thing he writes is formulaic.

So, your asking yourself --- Why did, she pick up this book??? I'll tell you -- a co-worker ( I work at a library) highly recommended it. So I gave it a shot and the verdict is --- a big fat "eh".

The writing and story is pretty typical of the factory out put of books by Patterson. The character's are likable enough --- the story is fairly entertaining but it isn't anything particularly special.

This isn't a book that I will walk away from and care about the characters or even re-read but I was entertained and if you like Patterson's (current) writing style --- you will enjoy this book a lot more than I did.

Grade: C

Overview [B&N]
Matthew Bannon, a poor art student living in New York City, finds a duffel bag filled with diamonds during a chaotic attack at Grand Central Station. Plans for a worry-free life with his gorgeous girlfriend Katherine fill his thoughts--until he realizes that he is being hunted, and that whoever is after him won't stop until they have reclaimed the diamonds and exacted their revenge.
Trailing him is the Ghost, the world's greatest assassin, who has just pulled off his most high-profile hit: killing Walter Zelvas, a top member of the international Diamond Syndicate. There's only one small problem: the diamonds he was supposed to retrieve from Zelvas are missing. Now, the Ghost is on Bannon's trail--but so is a rival assassin who would like nothing more than to make the Ghost disappear forever.

All These Things I've Done (Birthright) by Gabrielle Zevin

It is 2083 and chocolate is illegal (this is not good) so is coffee and caffeine. Crime and poverty are at an all time high. The government is rationing food, water and electricity. Did, I mention chocolate is ILLEGAL????

Anya and her siblings are orphans. Her grandmother is deathly ill and her father was an infamous crime boss. Life is hard enough for Anya and it only gets harder when she is accused of purposely poisoning her ex-boyfriend with chocolate.

Zevin's writing style and characterization is still as impressive as ever but --- I definitely feel as though, I am missing something about Anya's personality, which, I suppose is good since All These Things I've Done is going to be a series.

This is a highly entertaining start to a series....

Grade: B-

Before I Go to Sleep: A Novel by S. J. Watson

Before I Go to Sleep starts of a bit like the movie 50 first dates but then it takes quite a different and mysterious turn.

This is one psychological drama you don't want to miss out on. Watson's debut keeps you fascinated until the very end. The suspense slowly builds , until it explodes. This is one book that is difficult to "solve".

The character's are well developed and the storyline is sure to keep you up, until you read the very last page. Expect spine tingling chills.

Christine Lucas wake up every morning with little to no idea who she is or who the strange man in her bed is. That is until he tells her,that he is her husband, Ben. He tells her she has amnesia and rare form that wipes away her memories at night when she falls asleep. She is unable to remember her past or retain current memories until she starts to write everything down in a journal as suggested by a therapist she is seeing in secret.

She rereads her journal daily and finds out that, Ben is lying to her and she is on a quest to find out the truth. Nothing is quite what it seems.

Grade: A

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend hits the shelves, November 29, 2011.

This review is based on an ARC (advanced readers copy).

The United States is broken into Republics. Coastal regions are flooded. Western and Eastern colonies are at war. Plagues are a constant in some parts of the city. The worlds of teen teens from different walks of life are about to collide.

Day and June couldn't be more different if they tried. June is from a richer sector and Day struggles to get through life on the streets. Their lives collide with June's brother Metias is murdered.

The characters are well developed and the writing flows. There is quite a bit of action, suspense, drama and romance. The book is captivating and I hope that the rest of the series is this great!

Watch the trail for more information on this book.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1K3PGFEML2DU1/ref=ent_fb_link

Grade: A

Deviant by Adrian McKinty (Oct 1, 2011)

I can't quite decide how or to even review this book but I am going to give it a change. Deviant isn't a terrible book but maybe it is better suited for males.

Some might find it a bit gruesome, dark and disturbing. I found it a bit tedious to read but was committed to finishing it. It doesn't flow very well and grip you the way a really good book does.

Danny and his family move from Las Vegas to Colorado. His mom has a new job and at casino and his new school is weird. They can't talk, they have to wear white gloves and the teachers and students read from a script.

Cat killings begin and Danny wants to find out who is doing it... This twisted mystery takes you in several directions until the killer is revealed.

Publication date is set for October 1st of this year.

Grade: C

Bitter End by Jennifer Brown

Bitter end isn't nearly as good as, Brown's Hate List but it is a rather important book. It covers the all too familiar and common subject of domestic violence.

Alex is a young teen girl , who falls hopelessly in love with a young man --- he woes her and then slowly shows her who he really is. Alex's relationship with her family and boyfriend are complex and she is losing her best friends --- she is essentially alone and struggling.

Brown does a excellent job at chronicling the turmoil of Alex's emotions and abuse. The story itself is pretty intense and emotional.

Grade: A

Overview [B&N]
When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole — a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her — she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate . . . someone who truly loves and understands her.
At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her close friend Zack, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all her time with another boy? As the months pass, though, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats.
As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose "love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose — between her "true love" and herself.

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

What a great read! Forgotten is fast paced and intriguing. This is a page turner, be prepared to read this in one sitting.

London can't remember the past but she can remember the future. Every night her mind resets itself and the previous days events are erased. She leaves herself notes, so that in the morning she can be reminded of what has happened in her life.

Her situation is frustrating but it is something she is use to. Then one day she meets, Luke and suddenly her dreams become dark --- She is desperate to figure out her dreams and what they mean.

The developments in the story are quite surprising and the strong character's and excellent writing make this a book you must read.

Grade: A+

Overview [B&N]
Each night at precisely 4:33 am, while sixteen-year-old London Lane is asleep, her memory of that day is erased. In the morning, all she can "remember" are events from her future. London is used to relying on reminder notes and a trusted friend to get through the day, but things get complicated when a new boy at school enters the picture. Luke Henry is not someone you'd easily forget, yet try as she might, London can't find him in her memories of things to come.
When London starts experiencing disturbing flashbacks, or flash-forwards, as the case may be, she realizes it's time to learn about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

Crescendo (Hush, Hush) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo is a disappointing sequel. I have been reading this book for 2 weeks (along with other books)! I normally get so engrossed in a novel that I don't have time to read more than one at a time but this book was so blah....that I had to read something else or I would have simply given up on it.

I did not want to give up on it because I really do want to know what happens to the characters. The character's are now flat and annoying. The story itself is disjointed and drawn out.

I just hope that, Silence the final book in this series is better.

Grade: D-

Overview [B&N]
Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.
The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

Shine by Lauren Myracle

Shine gives an all to realistic look into small town life and intolerance. Cat's friend, Patrick is in the hospital, hanging on to his life by a thread. He is a victim of a hate crime.

The investigation into his attack is stalled and Cat takes it upon herself to find out who hurt, Patrick. She uncovers hidden secrets among those she loves and those of residents in her tiny town.

Myracle does a great job at portraying her character's as real people rather than stereotypical small town people. This book is suspenseful and compelling.

However, something is missing and I can't quite put my finger to it. I was never fully engrossed with it despite how well thought out the story is. My only guess is that I never became fully invested in her characters.

Despite this --- I found myself quickly turning pages and awaiting a semi- predictable ending.

Grade: B-

Dark Parties by Sara Grant

Dark Parties is a well put together, dystopian novel.

The character's lack development but the plot makes up for it. This book is quite the page turner and Neva (the main character) is realistic and like able.

Grant develops an intricate, semi-unique world and while I enjoyed this book it isn't done nearly as well as many other dystopian novel's I've read.

It is still worth the read.

Grade: B

Overbiew [B&N]
Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield "protects" them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there's nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says...
Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a "dark party" to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she's ever known, including the people she loves the most.

Ultraviolet by R. J. Anderson

Ultraviolet hits the shelves this September and you will not want to miss out on this book.

Sixteen year old, Alison wakes up in a psychiatric until with no memory of how she got there. As her memories slowly resurface, she becomes confused. Is she really capable of murder?What exactly happened to, Tori and where is her body? Did she really dissinigrate in front of her? Is, that even possible?

Her disorder is proving to be difficult until Dr.Faraday arrives at Pine Hills. He finally has answers for her, answers that make her realize that she isn't crazy. There is a reason why she can feel and taste colors and see sounds.

Ultraviolet is unique and brilliant. The characters are realistic and you will be enraptured by this book. Be prepared to set aside a block of time because this is a page turner!

This book has me hooked and I will be reading more by R.J. Anderson, as this is my first read by this author.

Grade: A+