Finally :)

So the UPS man was just here and he dropped off my books. I am so ready to start reading Bloodlines. Plus I get to read Supernaturally and I'll re-read Paranormalcy so I can get the reviews done. I like doing a review when the book is fresh in my mind. Of course I am slightly behind. Oops looks like I have a lot to do.

Still waiting

Like a crazy person I forgot to pre-order Bloodlines (Richelle Mead), now have to wait. Let me say not fun. Plus I am waiting on Supernaturally (Kiersten White) too. I don't want to start any new books until these come in.

Done way too soon.

I finished The Drake Chronicles for probably the 3rd or 4th time. To say I really love this series is a vast understatement.  Can't wait for the next installment but I will. I have to work on the reviews they should be up shortly. Gee I wonder how I'm gonna rate them :)

The Drake Chronicles

I have just started re-reading the Drake Chronicles, I completely forgot how much I like these books. The characters are funny, sarcastic totally my type of characters.

Review "Blood Past" by Samantha Young

Blood Past (Warriors of Ankh #2)

Samantha Young

Publishing Date: August 19, 2011

Publisher: Smashwords

e-book

Goodreads

YA Paranormal Romance recommended for ages 16 years and up.

Review:

     Blood Past is book 2 in the Warriors of Ankh series. I won this book from Fiktshun during a giveaway. I read the first book quickly and was eager to start on the next one in the series. I found myself completely drawn into the world that Samantha Young created. I was imaging the scenes, the people and the accents (most of the book takes place in Scotland). 

     Since the story is set in Scotland, Eden must travel a long way from home in order to try and find the redemption that she seeks. She does not go alone accompanying her are three warriors of Ankh: Cyrus, Valeria, and Noah. Noah and Eden's relationship is not what it once was, it's strained and at times they barely speak to each other.  But Eden discovers that she has bigger problems to deal with like those who are conspiring against her and a certain someone from her past comes back to claim her. Eden though comes to realize how important family and friends really are  to her and what she will do if the people she cares about are threatened. In Blood Past Eden is introduced to a whole new world of people. People she barely knew existed.

    Blood Past is not only told from Eden and Noah's POV a couple more voices are added in. I must say those were not my favorite chapters only because I really loved hearing the story from Eden and Noah. But the other chapters weren't bad just not my favorite. Samantha Young continues to give more background on the Neith, Ankh as well as the soul-eaters. It is explained why the Ankh warriors want Eden and what the intend to do with her now that they have her. I loved the way the story unfolded and was completely engrossed in Blood Past. I was just a little disappointed when I realized that I would have to wait for the next book to come out. All and All I am super happy that I was introduced to these books and I will definitely look up Samantha Young's other works.

Cover:

    I'm not sure who is on the cover of Blood Past. Though it does have me wondering why the guy is hunched over sitting in the rain.

Review "Blood Will Tell" Samantha Young

Blood Will Tell (Warriors of Ankh #1)

Samantha Young

Publication Date: July 1, 2011

Publisher: Smashwords

e-book

Goodreads

YA Paranormal Fiction for mature teens+ (some content may not be suitable for younger readers)

Review:

     I won this book from Fiktshun and when I entered the contest I thought that the book sounded really good. Let me say this book did not disappoint. I found myself gazing at the computer completly devouring this book. 

    I loved the concept of this book it was original and not a topic that I had read about. I was afraid I would become overwhelmed by all the knowledge that Samantha Young gives in order to explain the story. But I found myself slowly soaking in the information and was hardly confused at all. Blood Will Tell is fast paced and I get answers to many of the questions I started to ask. Of course not all my questions were answered but if they were why would I keep reading. I was also impressed with the way the story unfolded some of the plot twists were quite unexpected. The characters were well developed yet there is room for Samantha Young to add more about the characters pasts'.

      The books main character Eden is a soul-eater, she is a total loner who has no friends until Noah shows up in her small town becoming her only friend. the book is told from the POV of Eden and Noah, and that contributed to how much I enjoyed this book. As the story unfolds we learn about the horrors that Eden must deal with, cold and creepy parents, a psychotic cousin, the only bright spot in her life are her brother Stellan and her best friend Noah.  Eden is trying to come to terms with who she is and what that means for her future. And if she becomes what her parents and family want her to be will she able to live with herself.  But everything is not as it seems and Eden has to deal with some unexpected truths about herself, her family, and Noah.

Cover:

     I think this cover is intriguing. I loved the more subdued colors as well as the girl in the dress standing close to the water. It definitely makes me want to pick up this book to find out what it's all about.

Giveaway!

Addicted 2 Novels is hosting an amazing giveaway. Head on over to the site to check it out. Let me know how it goes. I'm off to read, hopefully.

Review "Sweep" Volume IV Cate Tiernan

Sweep Volume IV (Seeker, Origins, Eclipse)

Cate Tiernan

Publication Date: July 7, 2011

Publisher: Speak

Paperback: 560 pgs

Goodreads

Review:

     I was a little hesitant when I learned that the majority of the volume would not be told for the main character Morgan's  POV. But I must say that I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book despite the change in POV. Seeker is told form Hunter's POV and I really liked learning more about him in this section. he was more humorous than I thought and at times he was a total guy, yet he was still very much Hunter and if you have read this series you know who that is. Hunter has to leave Widow's Vale to try and find some answers about his past. He has to deal with some really difficult issues and does not have Morgan at his side to help him out, after she is still in high school.  I have to say that Seeker was probably my favorite out of the series this far.

     Origins is told from the POV of one of Morgan's ancestors, Rose.  In this section Morgan and Hunter read one of Morgan's ancestors Book of Spells where the two learn more about Rose and Morgan learns more about her heritage. I really didn't think I would like Origins but I liked Seeker so I hoped this section wouldn't be bad. It was really interesting to learn about Rose, the burning times, and the clan wars. It helped to clarify why certain things happened in the future (if you want to know you should read this series).  I also liked how I was able to see how Wicca was practiced by Morgan's ancestors and how most of what they practiced is passed down and is still followed. It is easy to see how the line between light and dark is so easily crossed. And you may not even know that you are crossing the line.

    The last book in this volume is told from Morgan and Alisa's (Ex-Coven Member) POV. Though I liked the way the story developed I wasn't too fond of Alisa's chapters, I would have preferred to just have Morgan's chapters.  In Eclipse a darkness that has threatened those that Morgan loves is now aimed at her. Morgan has struggled to keep Wicca from completely taking over her life in Eclipse she is finally able to get school, Wicca  and her family life more evenly balanced out. But a wave of darkness threatens to destroy what she has come to love. Morgan along with her soul mate Hunter and a few others must try to stave of the darkness that is directed at them. Will they be able to stop the darkness in time I sure hope so (wait I already know). I am more than ready for the final volume in this series.

Cover:

     Though I liked this cover it is not my favorite. It seems a little too plain for my tastes it does not have the same feel as the others. Yet it still fits in with the other volumes.I really like the beauty of the others but this one did not stack up in my opinion. 

Review "Sweep Vol III" by Cate Tiernan

Sweep Volume III (The Calling, Changeling, Strife)

Cate Tiernan

Publication Date: February 3, 2011

Publisher: Speak

Paperback: 592 pgs

Goodreads

Review:

     This is the third volume in the Sweep series, Morgan continues to enhance her knowledge of magick and her personal life gets even more hectic than it has ever been before. In this volume Morgan learns of some difficult truths about her family, truths that threaten to shatter her and the life she has come to know. Morgan has several difficult choices to make ones that could change the course of her life forever. I thought this book was pretty good. I loved learning more about the series main characters such as Morgan, Hunter, Bree, Robbie and all the others in Morgan's life. Sometimes it feels as though you don't have enough time to get a clear view of the characters. That is one the things that I really like about this series since there are so many books in this series character development is not an issue.I also don't feel as though the story is being dragged out until the point where I really don't want to hear anymore about these characters. These books are well planned out and I have really enjoyed getting to know these characters and the world that Cate Tiernan has created. 

Cover:

     Like the two previous volumes in this series I have really loved these covers. They are bold yet simple and each one totally catches your eye. Plus even though the covers are all different (color, picture) they are all tied together letting you know that they belong together yet are not the same.

I'm Super Sad

I just took done my Bloodlines widget. It has been on my site since I started it was one of the first things I put up. The good news is that since I took the countdown widget down it means Bloodlines has been released. Finally. I can't wait to get started on it, I am sooo behind. Well I'm off to read.

LC's 500 Follower Giveaway

LC's adventures in Libraryland has reached 500 followers and to celebrate she is hosting an amazing giveaway.
Head on over to here for the details and a chance to win some great books. Good luck. And I'm off to read.

Rachel Vincent Interview & Giveaway

Want to read an interview about what inspires writer Rachel Vincent and enter a cool giveaway? Head on over to Paper Cut Reviews to learn more.

On to new material

I have finally finished re-reading the first three volumes of Sweep. Now I can start Sweep 4 which I haven't been able to read yet though it came out a while ago. I am looking forward to learning more about Morgan, Hunter, Bree, Robbie, and all the other characters in the series.Though I am reading the re-release of the books it's all new to me.

Review "Sweep Vol II" by Cate Tiernan

Sweep Volume II (Dark Magic, Awakening, Spellbound)

Cate Tiernan

Publication Date: November 11, 2010

Publisher: Speak

Paperback: 564 pgs
Goodreads Summary

Review:

     Volume II, is the continuation of Morgan Rowlands' journey with magick. In this book Morgan experiences many heartbreaks and tragedies some of which threaten to overwhelm her. This volume is definitely darker than the previous volume which I did't really have an issue with, I think that it adds to the story. Cate Tiernan shows that where there is light there is also dark and Morgan must be prepared to deal with the dark since she is such a powerful blood witch. If she doesn't learn to deal with the dark than how will she be able to protect herself from those trying to harm her. Along with the beauty of magick that she discovered in the first volume Morgan is exposed to the dark and ugly side of magick. Once I finished volume I, I had to find out what was going to happen next and I wasn't disappointed. I found myself devouring this book instead of making myself read like I did with the first. Morgan's life becomes more complex and I enjoyed reading about how she not only deals with the difficulties that arise because of magick but I also liked the way she handles herself in other situations. All of the characters that were found in volume I return in volume II. In this book the characters continue to develop and we learn more about those closest to Morgan. I appreciate it when an author doesn't leave her characters flat but she develops them and lets them grew as the story unfolds. As readers we become invested in the characters and it would be a huge disappointment if the characters did not change as the story develops.

  

Cover:

     Just like with the first volume, I was drawn to this cover as well. Plus I liked how the book cover changes color and the image is different but it doesn't feel like a different series, it matches nicely with the first volume. Good job to those who designed this cover.

Review "Sweep" Volume I Cate Tiernan

Sweep Volume I (Book of Shadows, The Coven, Blood Witch)

Cate Tiernan

Publication Date: September 2, 2010

Publisher: Speak

Paperback 592pgs

Goodreads

Review:
       In Sweep Cate Tiernan is building a world that revolves around the main character Morgan and her magick.  I like this series but I did have some issues with it. The things I liked about Sweep Volume I, was the way that the characters were developed. I was able to get a good sense as to who everyone was such as Morgan's best friends Robbie and Bree along with her little sister Mary K. Plus once more characters were introduced I was able to understand how they fit into the story because of how the characters were written.  This series is about magick and I enjoyed how the reader is introduced to magick.  I wasn't expected to know everything going in. Bit by bit as Morgan discovers her magick so do we. I appreciated how Morgan learns to use her powers slowly. She just doesn't discover she is a witch and all of the sudden she knows everything and can do anything.  She must take her new powers step by step in order to grow her abilities. 
    One of the things about this series that I took issue with was how Morgan is surrounded by gorgeous poeple and she just happens to be the plain Jane of the group. The main character does focus on her looks a bit too much for my liking. But I suppose everyone has insecurities and that is hers. In some places I thought the wording was a little dated it kind of took me out of the story since it didn't flow quite right. Overall I thought this book was good and will continue reading the rest of the series.

Cover:

     I really liked the cover of this volume. It is simplistic and engaging it drew my attention right away. It screams read me, and I did so I guess the cover worked. The cover was the reason I picked up this book in the first place.